The Line of the Week
Paddler – Amie Engerbretson
In Between Extremes
We are surrounded by badasses in Tahoe. The skiers, the jumpers, the climbers and the bikers are an inspiration who take it to the next level. Their creativity and cojones get us to push ourselves to our own personal heights. With all that adrenaline and hardcore stoke in the area we all need some time for introspection and peace. The time needed to let everything settle in. The time to enjoy the solace and beauty that exists in our home, Lake Tahoe. After all, this is the summertime and as Will Smith once said, “It’s time to sit back and unwind”.
It has been a while since I featured a woman in the line of the week. It isn’t for any reason except it just hasn’t happened. I am accepting applications! I got a call from Amie Engerbretson asking if I wanted to go for a sunrise paddle on the East Shore. Amie is a 23 year old badass skier, biker, paddler and Tahoe local as well as a wonderful sports model. It was a no brainer!
Upon meeting on the East Shore, we put in as the first signs of morning glistened on the far reaches of the lake. There wasn’t a soul up or out. Sunrise is one of the purest times of tranquility in Tahoe. Whether you are skinning through the forest or paddling on the lake it’s impossible not to be swept away in the moment, knowing you are alone and living the dream. The lake was glass, there was a definite chill in the air, and the sun seemed to not want to rise. The mountains of the West Shore began to glow and little by little the suns rays started to trickle across the various ripples in the water.
By eight o’clock we still weren’t getting that “Golden Hour” light I had been dreaming of. Amie had been paddling for over an hour and I was thinking to myself, “I am not getting the shots I need, where is the light?” You could see the light all around but for some reason it wasn’t touching the East Shore. She was wearing a bikini because as we all know girls look awesome in bikinis but I noticed that she was shivering. We pulled into a cove and decided she should put on a sweatshirt and we would wait a few. I went to grab her sweatshirt from the dry bag and it was soaked. Nice work photographer dude. Go out for a sunrise shoot with a model and drench the only warmth she has in the lake!
We did some jumping jacks, talked about tropical paradise, and luckily had some back-up warmth. We noticed the light moving toward us. Within seconds the lake glistened emerald green, the three dimensional canvas of the East Shore opened itself up and it was a photographic field day. We were instantly warmed and rejuvenated.
The more time you spend in Lake Tahoe the more you notice a few things. There are so many beautiful nooks. There are so many amazing athletes and people who all put their unique mark on their craft. And finally, it isn’t always what you do, but how you do it. In between all the extreme sports and adrenaline pumping madness sometimes it’s the peaceful moments with your body, mind and soul that define your true existence.
“Paddle boarding is a great cross training tool for me. It is a wonderful low impact workout, as well as being a great reprieve for the mind. It is great to get out on calm water, early in the morning and just breath in your surroundings. A great counter part to all the high intensity activities we Tahoe people love to do!
That morning on east shore started out a little gloomy and a lot cold, as bikinis at 5am often are, but the morning had a huge turn around. Once the sun rose over those mountains, everything changed. The air was warm, the light was soft and the water was smooth and crystal clear. It was great just paddling over the turquoise water, finding little pathways through all the beautiful east shore rock formations! Â It was a great morning.” Amie Engerbretson
For more Paddle Boarding Photos, check out:
www.ryansalmphotography.com
The Line of the Week is a weekly photo piece by Ryan Salm featuring some of Tahoe’s finest athletes doing whatever we deem rad. We will be using the term “Line” loosely to describe anything resembling chutes, big airs, pointers or any general madness. All images are the property and copyright of Ryan Salm Photography. All images are only to be used in conjunction with the Line of the Week. Any other usage must be cleared in writing by Ryan Salm.