Name: Chloe Spears

Hometown: Frisco, Texas USA

Living now: Columbus, Georgia USA

Discipline: Whitewater Kayaking – freestyle and river running 

Class: K1 Junior

Current boats: Apex Rebound and Apex Ringer

Shaft of choice: Werner Double Diamond Bent Shaft

Big volume or tight and technical: Big waves are so much fun but I also really love the excitement and challenge of a more technical river. I love that whitewater offers so many options!

Favourite paddling spot: It would be difficult to pick just one spot! At the right levels, Salida, Colorado is unbeatable for hole boating. Lachine Rapids in Montreal, Canada is hands-down my all-time favorite for wave boating. And if I had to choose one river for pure river running, I’d go with the Upper Yough in Pennsylvania – no question about it!

Why should you be on the Peak PS team?: Being able to represent PEAK PS in the US is an incredibly humbling and exciting opportunity. I was first introduced to PEAK PS by international paddlers who were staying with us while training for the 2023 World Freestyle Championships. What caught my attention right away was how coordinated their kit looked. Beyond just how it looks, I really loved how all of the gear was designed in a way to allow full and unrestricted freedom of movement. I am genuinely honoured to be part of introducing PEAK PS to more paddlers across the US and to show them in person options with gear that they may not realize they have. If you see me on the river, ask me about my kit. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

What can you bring to the party?: I’ve been told that I light up a room so expect some positive vibes!

How did you get into paddling?: My mom tried to get me to paddle with her for most of my life but I actually didn’t like it until I was about 13 years old. The real turning point was when I found kids my age to paddle with and fell in love with freestyle. 

Achievements: I have been extremely fortunate to be able to compete in freestyle and river racing events at home in Columbus, Georgia as well as having the opportunity to travel and compete throughout the US and Canada. Some of the events I’m most proud of is a 3rd place finish for 2022 World Cup 1, a silver medal for both 2023 and 2024 Nationals and a silver medal for both 2023-2024 Colorado Cup which included CKS Paddlefest, GoPro Mountain Games, and FIBArk.

What's  your paddling goals for 2025? It would be an amazing achievement to medal at 2025 World Championships and US Nationals.

Do you have any paddlesport qualification? Please detail: I am certified in Swift Water Rescue and Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Best things about paddling: The community, people, and lifelong friendships.

Best boating moment: It’s difficult to choose just one favourite boating moment. Really, any day on the river is a fun day! If I must narrow it down, I’d say it was more the summer of 2024 where I travelled across the US and into Canada competing in many freestyle and river running events, paddling new rivers, seeing old friends and making new ones. I also was fortunate enough to paddle on the Main Salmon which created memories that will last a lifetime. 2024 was epic!

Worst boating moment: The day I thought I was relieving some stress on a fun, hometown river run and ended up paddling it with three people who all took a swim above cutbait island at nearly the same time. I was in my little carbon playboat and they were all paddling big, heavy creek boats and boats and people all ended up in different locations on the river. YIKES!!! Needless to say, it was not the expected stress-free, relaxing day on the river. 

Any other Hobbies: Going to the gym and snowboarding.

Ultimate worldwide destination: New Zealand

Food: Where’s the closest ice cream shop?

Drink: Water and Red Bull

Music: Zach Bryan and The Neighborhood

Movie: I don’t really have a favourite movie but my all-time favourite show is One Tree Hill.

Read: Stephanie Garber is my favourite author right now.

Piece of Peak PS Kit: Customized topdeck