Chloe grew up paddling the Hocking River in Southeastern Ohio. At 21, she became a nationally trained canoe instructor with Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America). She spent several summers training youth and adults in paddlecraft safety. Inspired by Potawatomi botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, Chloe purchased a foldable kayak after the birth of her second daughter to make it easier to spend time on the water. This kayak remains her favorite purchase, and she recently earned her American Canoe Association L2 River Kayaking Instructor Certification. Wanting to help women in the Ozarks find community on the water, she approached Julie Carey and Brooke Widmar with James River Basin Partnership about starting SMWP.

Julie has been around water all her life, but started kayaking in 2008 when she received her first kayak as a Christmas present. She earned an American Canoe Association L2 River Kayaking Certification in 2021 and has taught classes throughout the Midwest for governmental and non-profit entities.  Julie has been designated as an Instructor Trainer Candidate by the ACA. 

In October 2022, Julie was selected as ACA's Instructor of the Month.   She is also currently serving on the ACA Safety Education and Instruction Committee 's River Kayaking Discipline subcommittee. 

Meet Sara Karnes! She doesn't come from what you'd call an outdoorsy family, but she's making herself into an outdoorsy adult! She's been passionate about kayaking since she put her first paddle in the water more than a decade ago. Her favored rivers include the James, Current, Niangua, and Eleven Point, and there's still many more she's excited to explore. In recent years, Sara's done her best to "level up" her paddling, including being safer—her life jacket is now her best friend when she's on the water. Almost every kayak excursion means Sara's doing her best to photograph and video her fellow paddlers and nature.

Jennifer began kayaking the rivers and lakes in SW Missouri in 2020 after meeting her husband, Todd Wilkinson. Before kayaking, Jennifer learned to canoe with The Girl Scouts of America and paddled the Boundary Waters in MN. Jennifer was born and raised in SE MO near the Current River, and her family considers themselves certified “River Rats.” She soon realized she lacked skills and safety instruction and participated in a kayaking skills class through the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Since then, she has paddled the James River, Current River, Jacks Fork, Nianga River, Finley River, and Elk River. Then, in 2024, Jennifer participated in “Floatzilla,” traveling to Davenport, IA. 

“I jumped at the chance to join Show-Me-Women Paddlers when approached by my friends and fellow paddlers, Chloe Bolyard and Julie Carey.  Surrounding myself with such positive and supportive leaders in the paddling community has resulted in more skills and ultimately more fun!”