Maria Barroso’s paddling journey began at age 11 during a summer camp in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, where she first joined Club Cadí Canoe Kayak. What started as a camp activity soon evolved into a lifelong passion, eventually leading her to move from Barcelona to La Seu d’Urgell to train full-time in canoe slalom. That pivotal decision allowed her to pursue her dream of qualifying for the Junior and U23 Spanish National Teams and competing on the international stage.
Today, Maria is a Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Coach based in Lyons, Colorado. She works primarily with junior and U23 athletes, helping them develop the skills needed to reach their goals—including earning spots on the USA Senior National Team. Alongside coaching competitive athletes, Maria uses her Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification to bring paddling to the wider community by teaching recreational kayaking in Colorado, primarily in Lyons, Salida, and Durango.
One of Maria’s greatest passions is increasing female participation in paddlesports. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for girls and women to engage with kayaking through specialized sessions and training camps designed to empower, encourage, and inspire. Watching athletes she has coached compete internationally, or seeing children try kayaking for the first time and fall in love with the water, are moments that stand out as some of the most rewarding in her career.
Maria recalls coaching athletes from Team Colorado Whitewater Racing to international competitions and seeing their hard work pay off in races and clean runs as truly unforgettable. She also treasures moments with younger athletes, whether at training camps like the Age Group Nationals or with kids trying kayaking for the first time in Colorado, who discover a newfound love for the water—just as she once did.
Through her coaching, Maria Barroso is not only shaping strong athletes but also building a more inclusive paddling community. Her work exemplifies the ACA’s mission of expanding access, empowering underrepresented groups, and fostering a lifelong connection to paddlesports.
