James River Women+ (JRW) is dedicated to supporting and promoting the inclusion of gender diverse paddlers within the whitewater community. JRW expands access to the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia, and more specifically, the James River, by supporting access to water paddling sports to those who may not otherwise have the means or support to get involved.

JRW started with a group of friends in 2015, as a way to support each other’s endeavors on the river. The following grew over subsequent years, as new women entered the sport. Officially, the group took a hiatus between 2018 and 2020, as the founders moved onto different career pursuits, but informal paddles continued.

In July 2020, with the prompting of a member, a group of 12 women met up to paddle socially distant, of course. After that paddle, there was a collective, “we should do this more often.” Thanks to the urging of Jen Jimenez and Berkley Nestler, the reins of JRW were handed over and weekly paddles have been a regular occurrence for the last two years. JRW also host roll clinics, skills clinics and out of town trips for folks looking to improve their skills and paddle new rivers. 

JRW began as a program under the James River Outdoor Coalition (JROC), a local 5013c dedicated to park improvements and accessibility. JRW will forever be thankful and grateful to their support and will continue to partner with them. In 2021, Tom Wilcox, from the Department of Wildlife Resources, contacted the James River Women to gauge interest in applying for the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program (VWGP) that would go directly to supporting our work. In the winter of 2021, we found out we had been awarded the grant! Kayaking, specifically whitewater kayaking, is largely a legacy sport, meaning that new people usually get into the sport through a relative, friend or partner. We have continued the “Better Together” partnership with DRW annually.

In 2024, the volunteers, instructors and team worked to become their own non-profit and, as of January 2025, JRW officially became our own non-profit. The group is now “managed by committee” as they say. In truth, our board makes decisions together and decided to forgo the traditional hierarchy of President, VP, etc. and that fits the JRW “vibe.” JRW also hosts roll clinics, skills clinics and out of town trips for folks looking to improve their skills and paddle new rivers. A very small percentage of the people who learn to kayak do so of their own accord. Our goal is to provide a space for women and gender diverse people to enter the sport on their own. JRW instructors, board members and community are volunteers.

People often ask, “What’s next for JRW?” At its core, JRW is a paddling club, and the plan is keep it that way. JRW serves our community best by meeting people where they are. The goal is not to chase profits or “rapid” growth; it’s getting more folks on the water to enjoy the park system. While JRW is rooted in whitewater kayaking, canoes, duckies, SUPs, and other crafts are all welcome on our weekly laps. We’re better together.

JRW Programs in 2025

• We got on the water 34 times

• 122 unique participants went kayaking 264 times

• Three of our volunteers became new ACA instructors

• In addition to our on-water events (laps and clinics), we hosted two community events (potluck + boat outfitting) and two events for our volunteers