Photo courtesy of Jeff Lipsky
Pam Boteler, of the Washington Canoe Club in Washington, DC, is a world-class athlete and advocate who has been making waves in her sport since 2000. She made USA Canoe/Kayak history at the 2000 National Championships by becoming the first woman to compete in sprint canoe – against the men, and won gold and bronze medals. She continued to race against the men in 2001, winning gold in the Men’s C4 (4 person canoe). Finally, in 2002, influenced by her success on the water and lobbying off the water, USA Canoe/Kayak changed its by-laws to allow women to compete at the National Championships in events of their own – in all age and boat categories. Finally, U.S. women sprint canoeists had a league of their own.
Listen to her 2013 radio interview on Women Warriors Blog Radio (starts at 5:45).
And her August 2014 interview with “Who Are You ? The Life Lessons in Sports” .
Pam was inspired into sprint canoe in 1999 by Canadian pioneer and legend Sheila Kuyper. That image of a powerful and graceful woman in a “man’s canoe” has been a driver and primary catalyst for her working tirelessly – on and off the water – to pave the way for women of all ages to follow and pursue their dream of training and competing within their own club, their own country, in their own events, and for their country in international competition, and ultimately the Olympic Games. And she has done this while working a full-time job for the U.S. Federal Government.
As an athlete and President of WomenCAN International, Pam has worked tirelessly since 2000 as a global voice for inclusion of women's canoe events and equality for women in Olympic Canoeing. This dream became reality in June 2017 with the International Olympic Committee's announcement of 3 women's canoe events and gender equality for Tokyo 2020.
She serves as a role-model for women to pursue their Olympic dream and desire to compete nationally and internationally, regardless of age, gender, ability, or socio-economic background. She also inspires us to do the very things which we think we cannot do – and to give a hand back to others to help them pursue their dreams.
Listen to her 2013 radio interview on Women Warriors Blog Radio (starts at 5:45).
And her August 2014 interview with “Who Are You ? The Life Lessons in Sports” .
Pam was inspired into sprint canoe in 1999 by Canadian pioneer and legend Sheila Kuyper. That image of a powerful and graceful woman in a “man’s canoe” has been a driver and primary catalyst for her working tirelessly – on and off the water – to pave the way for women of all ages to follow and pursue their dream of training and competing within their own club, their own country, in their own events, and for their country in international competition, and ultimately the Olympic Games. And she has done this while working a full-time job for the U.S. Federal Government.
As an athlete and President of WomenCAN International, Pam has worked tirelessly since 2000 as a global voice for inclusion of women's canoe events and equality for women in Olympic Canoeing. This dream became reality in June 2017 with the International Olympic Committee's announcement of 3 women's canoe events and gender equality for Tokyo 2020.
She serves as a role-model for women to pursue their Olympic dream and desire to compete nationally and internationally, regardless of age, gender, ability, or socio-economic background. She also inspires us to do the very things which we think we cannot do – and to give a hand back to others to help them pursue their dreams.
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Career Highlights Canoe Sprint 2000-2010:
Current Paddling: Washington Canoe Club (Washington DC) – Hawaiian Outrigger Canoeing, marathon canoe and surfs racing. Pam Boteler's works for the Department of Defense. Her staff study while participating in the DoD Executive Leadership Development Program focused on military service members and using a holistic approach to healing and thriving in life: “Recommendations for Helping Recovering Service Members Achieve Renewed Sense of Purpose, Independence, Dignity, Passion for Life, and Confidence for Enhanced Long-term Quality of Life”
Follow Pam: WomenCAN International World Paddle Awards @WomenCANIntl Or contact Pam directly: pamcanoe2016@gmail.com Header photo credit: with thanks to Brian K. Donnelly, 2010 |
Boteler-in-action.
Photo courtesy of Brian Donnelly
Pam in Itacare, Bahia, Brazil
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© 2015 The True Athlete Project. All rights reserved.
Tax ID: 81-1063080
© 2015 The True Athlete Project. All rights reserved.
