Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day -or- U.S. Slalom Team Trials 
Pivot turns, precision, finesse and fast lines have always drawn me to the sport of…
melissademarieMay 2, 2016
Game Time & the Little Purple Devil
Every spring, Steamer Lane hosts Santa Cruz Paddlefest (SCPF), an event eagerly anticipated by the…
melissademarieApril 19, 2016
Sports Nutrition’s Overlooked Superfoods for Optimal Health
Happy to be back on the Cali Collective Blog! In my last post we discussed…
melissademarieApril 16, 2016
Summer in Chile
Over the past year, kayaking has completely changed the direction of my life. It has…
melissademarieApril 14, 2016
Argentina, Asados & Smiles
“¿Estás bien? Are you okay?” the kayaker asked me as I entered the eddy clinging…
melissademarieMarch 30, 2016
Kayak Like a Girl
I have been settling into winter with my middle school students. As winter takes a…
melissademarieMarch 25, 2016
“Divisions Multiply at Santa Cruz Paddlefest” via Santa Cruz Sentinel
The 30th annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest officially kicks off Friday with surfing heats for kayaks…
melissademarieMarch 18, 2016
Style Versus Survival & the Little Purple Devil
When Melissa suggested I write a post on learning to kayak surf and my decision…
melissademarieMarch 15, 2016
Life & Rebirth in an Unexpected Way
I was stoked. Strong. Confident. Happy. I finally felt recovered from a very difficult period-…
melissademarieMarch 14, 2016
Is Sports Nutrition Driving You Bananas?
Here you will find a simple guide to balancing your macronutrients so you can feel…
melissademarieFebruary 27, 2016