‘Whitewater is ephemeral. That’s why we chase it’: Nouria Newman on the risk and thrill of extreme kayaking

After an early career defined by competition success, the French paddler turned to wild rivers and waterfall drops, learning lessons on fear and facing unknowns Just hours before Nouria Newman planned to put in on the Klinaklini River in north-western British Columbia, she checked the water gauge at the mouth of the river. The levels had looked good. Then it started raining. Water flows doubled…