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< Sept/Oct 2005
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In the Eddy with Emily Jackson

As part of the world’s most famous paddling family, Emily Jackson has spent nearly half her life traveling to river festivals in the RV she shares with her parents, younger brother and two dogs. The 15-year-old phenom won the amateur qualifier at the Reno River Festival, placed second in the senior women’s pro contest, then won the pro women’s rodeo two weeks later at the prestigious Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colo. Her reward? $3,500 and a victory kiss from her dad, three-time world freestyle champ Eric, 41.

Paddler: Have you paddled all your life?

EmJ: Yes, but until three years ago I only kayaked about once per year because I didn’t like water. My dad never pushed me, but one day I asked him to teach me. It was better because I asked for myself.

Paddler: How did you go from afraid of the water to world-beater in three years? Are you a natural?

EmJ: A little bit is natural talent, but having my dad as a coach really helps. Plus I paddle almost every day.

Paddler: How did it feel to beat some of the best women in the sport at Vail?

EmJ: I’m not used to it yet—my goal was just to make the qualifier, so I was definitely surprised to be in the finals and then win. But lately I’ve been paddling my best in rodeos.

Paddler: What are you going to do with your prize money?

EmJ: A group called Soft Power is bringing a bunch of kayakers to Uganda to build clinics and schoolhouses. I need $10,000 to get there and build my schoolhouse. At the [2004] pre-worlds there was a Ugandan team, and I gave them my yellow Transformer to take back. They had a swimming contest to see who would get the boat, and 300 kids competed for it. That one boat made a really big difference.

Paddler: Are you going by yourself?

EmJ: I’m going with my family. We go everywhere together.

Paddler: Your brother Dane is only 11 and doing great things. Do you two have a rivalry?

EmJ: I’m super competitive, so even if I just have a cherry seed-spitting contest I try to beat him. I’m always super-psyched if I beat him on points in a rodeo, but in general he can go way bigger. My dad says he’s the aggressive one and I’m more technical. But we’re good friends. We have to be, otherwise the RV would never work out.

Paddler: What’s your favorite type of boating?

EmJ: Playboating, for sure. I’m the kind of person who’s still in the hole when people come back for their second session. I do run hard stuff, but for me adrenaline turns more into fear than excitement. I don’t really start having fun until after the last hard drop.

Paddler: Have you thought about your future?

EmJ: I want to do pro rodeo as a career, but I know it’s hard financially. I’m trying to keep my future open. I’m home-schooled, so I graduate a year younger than everybody else. Those first two years after high school are important for a boater, so if I go to college I’d probably go to Chattanooga where I could be close to my family and boating.

Paddler: You share the most famous initials in the sport with your dad, EJ.

EmJ: There’s a big difference between EJ number one and EJ number two. I want to be the EJ of girls’ boating. But now I’m EmJ and he’s EJ.