There are many talented female kayakers around these days, but Lou is one of the clear standouts.  She is the definition of all around with experience in all of kayaking amazing genres, her list of accomplishments this year would make any paddler jealous:

In Quebec, Lou was on a team that knocked off 5 first descents. In between she fired up lots of the big drops and hard runs in the region.  This winter she helped Tyler Fox and Josh Neilson explore 4 new runs in Thailand, upon her return to New Zealand she bagged the first female descent of the epic Wainui river.

In competition this year Lou cemented the fact that she is one of the best female kayaker on the planet.

Results:

- Whitewater Grand Prix - 1st place Women's

( -- First Big Wave Comp on Gladiator, --First Steep Creek Time Trial, -- First Giant Slalom )

- Teva Mountain Games, Vail - Steep creek finalist, 2nd in the 8 ball boatercross

- 2nd place - Wairoa Extreme Race, NZ

- 2nd place - Bullerfest Xtreme Race, NZ

Awards - Cumec Magazine, Australasian Female Kayaker of the Year

- Cumec Magazine, Expedition of the Year member

Lou is always pushing her own limits and looking for a new challenge, whether that be surfing huge waves on the Stakeout tour, seeking out new adventures and first descents, acting as a committee member of NZ Extreme Whitewater Association, or simply teaching the sport she loves on her home river.

Lou is as involved in her sport as anyone and full of passion for it.  She donates time to worthy causes like organizing competitions & programs for youth to grow and promote whitewater kayaking in NZ.

Female Rider of the Year, yes please...