Say hello to BeGOAT influencer and whitewater kayak extraordinaire, James Shimizu! From rapid rivers to massive waterfalls, James takes whitewater kayaking to the next level and pushes limits to the fullest. Join BeGOAT as we dive into the whitewater kayak scene with James to learn more about his thrilling adventures on the water!
How long have you been whitewater kayaking?
I have been kayaking for eight and a half years!
What sparked your interest in this adrenaline-rushing sport?
I got into raft guiding in Montana after being picked up by a raft guide while hitchhiking. Rafting led me to discover kayaking and now it’s been almost 9 years down this rabbit hole!
What is your favorite region and/or river to run?
My favorite region to kayak is in British Columbia, Canada. My favorite river on earth is the Grand Canyon of The Stikine in Northern British Columbia. I went up there for almost 4 weeks this year and got 6 laps down the canyon including one nearing record flows. Best days of my life up there and I dream of the place almost every day.
How do you prepare for a big day on the water?
Stretching the night before or the morning of, a good night’s sleep, hydration, good food, and snacks.
When you are setting out for an all-day adventure, what does your gear list look like?
My gear list includes;
Kayak equipment –
- Kayak
- Spray skirt
- Paddle
- Drybag
- Drysuit/drytop
- River shoes
- Layers
Safety gear –
- PFD
- Helmet
- Throw bag
Mandatory miscellaneous goods –
- GoPro + extra batteries
- Snacks
- BeGOAT
How does BeGOAT fuel your adventures?
It gets me energized and focused without a gnarly crash or the jitters of many other caffeine sources.
What is your go-to BeGOAT flavor?
My favorite flavor is Blackberry Currant!
Follow James and all his river adventures at @james_shimizu. His jaw-dropping videos and photos will keep you on your toes and wanting more! We’d like to give a big shout-out to all his additional sponsors;
- Waka Kayaks (Follow Waka Kayaks on Instagram)
- Astral Designs (Follow Astral on Instagram)
- Splattypus Imports (Follow Splattypus on Instagram)
- Immersion Research (Follow Immersion Research on Instagram)
- Surf Ears (Follow Surf Ears on Instagram)
Tag along with BeGOAT on social media and don’t forget to swing by your local market for a refreshing and sustainable BeGOAT Cascara+ beverage. Don’t worry if you can’t find your preferred flavor; you can conveniently shop online!
