Adriene is a bombshell of an athlete who excels in all aspects of whitewater kayaking, amongst multiple other sports and activities. She may be small but she makes up for her miniature stature by having a larger than life personality. As a child, Adriene was rambunctious, energetic, athletic, and a socialite; not much has changed since then, not even her height.
Adriene grew up in rural Michigan with mom, dad and big sister. To ensure her parents didn’t go crazy trying to raise her, Adriene’s parents pushed her outside and they hiked, camped, fished, and sea kayaked together during her childhood. At the age of 6 Adriene got her first sea kayak, took it sledding down the hill in the backyard, it has all been “downhill” since then.
Adriene's first kayak. 1996
When she was 11, her dad took her to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, since then she has been hooked on whitewater. At the age of 16, she was lucky enough to be a student at World Class Academy, a traveling high school specializing in whitewater kayaking. After graduating, she packed everything she owned into a Kia Sportage and rallied to Asheville, North Carolina with high hopes of being a Professional Whitewater Kayaker.
Along the way Adriene had a lot of help from many people. One of the biggest influences on her life was Shane Benedict. Shane taught Adriene much more than just about kayaking, he taught her life lessons and how to get over hardships. He will always be like a father to Adriene. Selfie in the Notch Eddy at Gorilla, Green River, NC 2008
Adriene went to Paramedic school and after a few bumps, some adventures, a handful of mishaps, she ended up finally accomplishing one of her life goals. She started working for Greenville County EMS in South Carolina as a Paramedic for a 911 service. Adriene now works a busy schedule while at home in Greenville, SC during her "off season" for traveling, most of the time working more than 48 hours a week. One goal down, many, many more to go.
Adriene has been voted the 2012 and 2016 Female Paddler of the Year by Canoe and Kayak Magazine, she is the 9 time Green River Race Champion, she placed 3rd place in the 2013 Freestyle Worlds, and has multiple podium finishes for extreme races and freestyle kayaking alike. Through the years Adriene has made an effort to be a well rounded kayaker, not just developing in one aspect of kayaking but working on many different aspects of whitewater kayaking. She has a talent and drive that is rivaled by only a small group of women in the world.