Guest Testimonials

Hey Ladies - If you want to learn playboating moves, no matter if you are a beginner or more advanced, I HIGHLY recommend taking Wet Planet's paddle and pamper playboating clinic. 5 of us spent Sunday on the Teiton with none other than local kayaking superstar Heather Herbeck and guest instructor, pro-playboater Christie Glissmeyer. Everyone who took this course improved or learned at least one move they've been working on, not to mention taking away a bunch of stuff to work on in the pool and on the river ... If you want to learn or improve ANY of these moves (or even if you are more advanced moves than these) Heather and Christie combined can teach it all! This is by far the BEST course I have ever taken ... These girls ROCK!!!!

Kate (Tieton Women’s Clinic)

Heather Herbeck

With her pink helmet and a penchant for running big waterfalls in a kayak, Heather Herbeck is a recognizable figure in the whitewater kayaking community. We considered it a huge score when instructor/guide Andy Round convinced Heather to join the Wet Planet team in the Spring of 2006, and are psyched that she is currently on the water full-time as a whitewater kayak instructor and raft guide! (Check out her Kayak Instruction bio, too.)

Heather first moved from Minnesota to the Northwest with her husband in 2004. The two made the move in order to pursue their passion for kayaking, and are currently residing in BZ Corner, living their dream as part of the area's community of world-class whitewater kayakers. As an ACA certified whitewater kayak instructor, Rescue3 certified Whitewater Rescue Technician and Wilderness First Responder, Heather's accomplishments in the whitewater world are impressive:

Athlete
Heather trains and competes year-round. Her latest victory was the Summer Gorge Games 2008, with a 1st place finish in the women's extreme race and a 2nd place finish in the women's head-to-head. She plans to continue training and competing in the future, so keep an eye out.

Media - Photo & Video
Heather has been featured in magazines, product catalogs and films throughout the last 5 years. Some of the highlights are:
Men's Journal in 2005 - Kayaking Expedition in Mexico
Films by: Sheer Madness Productions (Nathan Herbeck)
Clear H20 Films (Ben Stookesberry)
Pulse (Tao Berman)

Current Sponsors
Being a significant figure in the sport of kayaking, she is sponsored by top manufacturers, check out the product:

Level Six
AT Paddles
Jackson Kayak
Sweet Helmets
Girls 4 Sport

Other
Heather is a very ambitious, self-starter who's passion lies in whitewater, helping others and fitness. Besides kayak instruction and raft guiding, she keeps busy with many other activities:

Fitness professional - Personal Trainer and Group Exercise inst.
Motivational Speaker
Event organizer
Wet Planet Social Media coordinator
Kids and Women's program coordinator for Wet Planet WW

Heather consistently strives to push her own limits on the water, both mentally and physically. On her website (www.liquidkayak.com), her favorite quote states, "Life's journey is not to arrive at our grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...'Holy *#@$ what a ride!'". Her easy-going personality and sheer enthusiasm for paddling make her a favorite with both kayaking students and rafting guests.

As a female paddler in the often male-dominated arena of extreme kayaking, Heather claims that she works hard to "keep up with the guys" both mentally and physically while out on the water. What the rest of us see is a bunch of guys trying to keep up with Heather...

Heather's impressive kayaking skills are put to use at Wet Planet she does it all from teaching in our Kid's Camp, to all women's clinics and Private Instruction. When she isn't in her kayak Heather also raft guides on our White Salmon, Klickitat and Tieton River trips.

Interested in becoming part of the Wet Planet team? Check out our Employment Opportunities.