Laura Kurup brings curiosity, joy, and deep respect for community to everything she does on the river. A Canoe, Kayak, and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Laura most often teaches on the Potomac River near Washington, DC, and counts Pennsylvania’s Lower Yough as one of her favorite training venues. Whether she’s introducing someone to paddling for the very first time or coaching experienced canoeists, Laura’s instruction reflects both precision and heart.
A Lifelong Water Creature
Although Laura didn’t grow up paddling, she has always been drawn to water. She spent her early years swimming competitively and racing sailboats in Michigan and Minnesota, experiences that shaped her comfort, confidence, and joy in aquatic environments.
Her introduction to paddling came unexpectedly in her early 20s, when a friend passed through town with a bright orange playboat strapped to the roof of his car. Fascinated by its shape, Laura borrowed the boat and spent weeks trying (with limited success) to teach herself to roll on a lake. That persistence paid off when she found the Missouri Whitewater Association (MWA), where her paddling world truly opened up.
During an MWA pool session, someone put Laura in a C1, and she was instantly hooked. She fell in love with the power and finesse of a single blade, the leverage of the stroke, the visibility, and the elegance of a well-executed cross bow pivot turn. Over the next several years, Laura traveled the country training and racing slalom C1, building both technical skill and a deep appreciation for paddling culture.
Her heart remains with Missouri’s Saint Francis River and the MWA community that welcomed beginners, celebrated paddlers at every level, and created space for learning, storytelling, and connection. From low flows to flood stage, that river—and the people who paddled it—left a lasting imprint on her life.
Rediscovering Purpose on the River
After moving to the DC area in 2012, Laura stepped away from racing and found herself paddling less often. That changed dramatically in 2024.
In January of that year, Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer. What followed was a period of intense reflection alongside months of treatment, including multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, which concluded in March 2025. While the experience was challenging, it also sharpened her clarity around what mattered to her most: time with loved ones and time on the river.
Laura returned to paddling, even continuing to paddle Class III whitewater during chemotherapy. She reconnected not just with the sport, but with its community, volunteering with DC’s Canoe Cruisers Association (CCA), earning instructor certifications in canoe, kayak, and swiftwater rescue, and diving fully into teaching.
In 2025 alone, Laura spent 60 days on the water training or teaching on rivers including the Potomac, Lower Yough, French Broad, and Main Salmon. She’s already setting her sights higher, hoping to surpass 100 days on the water in 2026. In January, she is kicking off the year as a raft captain on a 24-day Grand Canyon expedition.
Teaching with Intention and Joy
While Laura has extensive experience teaching intermediate and advanced canoe, some of her most meaningful moments as an instructor have come from teaching beginner kayak courses. In the fall of 2025, she co-taught the Zero to Hero program with the DC-area Calleva River School.
“There is something incredibly rewarding about introducing people to the magic of this sport for the first time,” she shares. Laura values the opportunity to build strong foundations in both skills and safety, emphasizing concepts like underwater composure that can transform a paddler’s confidence and enjoyment as they progress.
Laura is passionate about making rivers more accessible and inclusive for underrepresented communities, including women, queer paddlers, and paddlers of color. In November 2025, Laura was the assistant instructor for a Queer Affinity Instructor Certification Workshop in North Carolina. Laura loves bringing her skills as a videographer and documentarian to the river, creating a video that celebrates the unique joy of training in an affinity space.
Laura also thrives in expedition-based instruction. In 2025, she served as an instructor on a Paddlesport Institute trip down Idaho’s Main Salmon River. Spending multiple days with the same students allowed for deeper growth, play, and connection. Watching open canoes navigate those iconic rapids brought her immense joy.
Looking Ahead
Laura continues to invest in paddling at both the local and national levels. In 2026, she’s excited to serve on the ACA SEIC’s Canoe Committee and on the Steering Committee for the Canoe Cruisers Association.
In the coming year, Laura is joining Paddlesport Institute as a Lead Instructor and will continue to teach at Calleva River School. She is focused on growing Mid-Atlantic canoe instruction, building excitement and engagement in Swiftwater Rescue training, and continuing to make rivers more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Laura Kurup’s story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and commitment—to the river, to teaching, and to building strong paddling communities. The ACA is proud to recognize her as Instructor of the Month and grateful for the energy, care, and leadership she brings to the water every day.
