Tracy Clapp

Weight: 180 lbs Height: 6'1'' How old are you: 37 Where did you grow up? Grew up in Fairhope, AL. - then TN,GA, NZ, WV, CO, WA, NC - are those all the states I've lived in? Personal Taste: Do you prefer more or less rocker for a creeker? Why? I like good rocker. Definitely more than the Dancer I started creeking in. Enough but not too much. I do like Gus. What rescue equip. do you carry? Breakdown, pulley, rope, float bags, first aid, prussic? Carry Break-down, Rope, slight first aid, dry box, carabineers, prussic of some kind, air bag if I can find one. Personal Preference: Bent Shaft or Straight, any reason why? Bent but don't really care too much. I've used the new Werner's since before they came out and like the shaft. Used AT for awhile before that and liked it. I think if you don't have damage it doesn't matter as the human is infinitely adaptable if willing. Would you consider wearing a fullface helmet? I would consider but haven't worn one since BMX racing in 1983. Do you spend a lot of time outfitting a new boat or just make it fit? Enough time to make it right - the more you outfit the less time that is it seems. Whats you favorite local hometown run? I guess the Green for my current hometown but don't seem to get out much.Was Bear when I lived in Chatty and was paddling all the time [if you want to paddle avoid a full-time job]. Do you feel play boats have a place on creeks?Example: Backyard type creeks. I think you should paddle whatever you are comfortable in as long as you understand the risks - and your paddling partners don't mind. Creeking vs. Do you prefer boating with boaters you know best or have boated with predominantly? Sure - it is fun to hang with your friends who you know and trust. Do you take bigger risks with these boaters? Certainly not anymore. Besides keeping their boat pointing downstream, what are the main differences between creekboaters and other genres? The mental game for sure. But you can put that into any genre. You can bet Oscar Chalupski has the mental game for flatwater. Is creekboating in its Golden Age or do you feel there will be lots more pioneered, greater levels, and lots more athletes to take this to the next level. I think people should have fun at what they do. Don't push it to be the next big thing - that is just soul-sucking self feeding crap. Compared to the other forms of kayaking would you say that creeking is more team oriented? It can be sure. But taking nervous beginners on class II can be just as team oriented. How would you describe differences between East Coast and West Coast creeking (word or paragraph) Which would you rather live in? East Coast - steep, less volume, dirtier water, warmer water... West Coast - big water, clean, cold. [broad sweeping generalizations] Where I'd rather live depends on the season. Epic: East Coast rapid that makes you really nervous, whats the first one that pops in your head? Gorilla [mental problems] West Coast rapid that makes you really nervous, whats the first one that pops in your head? That damn slide thing at the bottom of O Be Joyful - and the squawk of the town. What are some of the closest calls that youve had in your paddling career? Lots of abuse and some really stupid things but I don't think I've ever thought I was going to drown. Have you lost a close paddling partner to a whitewater accident? How would you say that it changed your scope on whitewater activities in general, creeking, development? Let's just say it sucks ass. I dearly miss quite a few close friends and hate it. It makes me appreciate the moments more. I think the couple of days spent looking for Mike in Washington sort of made me not really care so much about creeking - about pushing it at least. Considerations: Do you ever creek solo? I certainly have. At what height(waterfall) do you feel the freefall gets a little nutty and maybe less controlled? Probably 25 feet for me? That's super individual and it is probably getting shorter [for me]. Development: Approx what year did you start creeking? Started kayaking in 1978 ish - creeking in mid-80s [did we define creeking differently when we paddled different boats?] What was the first kayak you ever owned? First used was a Hollowform - first owned was Quest. How did you get into kayaking? Dad. Did you have any heroes growwing up that you looked up to for their creeking/riverrunning abilities? Jim Snyder, Jeff Snyder, Jesse Whitemore. Who are some of your heroes in the creeking arena today? I think anyone that enjoys kayaking for kayaking is my hero these days. What are some things that may have drawn you towards creeking when you were in your developmental stages? Would you classify your development as attending the school of hard knocks or did you develop with patience waiting till you felt totally prepared mentally to run class V? Things moved slower then. My creeking development was also related to boat development. Boats changed and allowed us to do things differently. Sometimes better, sometimes just different. What advice do you have for next generations boaters who want to explore the arenas you currently dwell in? Well if you want to be good at the arena I dwell in practice your typing skills, phone skills, and practice your gold swing. What has helped you to progress safely to more difficult water? Boat the Most [where is Bubba Mac?] Do you currently have any sponsors? Yes. In what ways has being sponsored helped/hindered your continuous development as a creeker? Sponsor = less money needed for gear, less work, more time to paddle. How do you address doubts and fears while on difficult whitewater? Don't let your head go and just do what needs to be done [is that a present or past tense question?] What do you do while not boating to condition yourself to be able to perform at a high level: (strength training, stretching, yoga, etc.) Well I oughta get off my ass and do something but . . .I previously worked out, swam, ran, biked and all that good stuff. What keeps you excited about creeking or kayaking in general? I like to be on the water. Would you please provide a useful tip forcreekboaters? Do it for yourself. Any taboos you would like to mention to othercreekboat hopefuls? Leave the ego at home and save the drama. And be careful please. thanks Tracy for taking the time to complete this...