Our Achievements so far in 2024
Chicks Snapshot - 2024 Highlights
Jul 2024 - Chicks on track to run 30+ trainings and events this year as our community grows to over 1700 women!
With the addition of a leadership program and in-person events the calendar of training and canyoning adventure options is growing! And we're staying true to our mission, keeping costs low, making comprehensive training accessible and affordable.
Jun 2024 - Chicks partner with TCI to launch in-person training courses
To help support canyoning skill development, we have partnered with The Canyoning Institute.org (TCI) who offers e-learning and in-person courses focused on preparing canyoneers for canyoning skills competency and certification. These courses complement our existing in-canyon training, ChickFest events, providing a comprehensive approach to developing advanced canyoneering skills and leadership abilities.
May 2024 - Chicks first rendezvous and the boys are allowed to play too!
In May 2024, we successfully launched our first co-ed rendezvous, responding to numerous requests from our members to include their partners in the canyoning experience. The event was met with such enthusiasm that we've scheduled another co-ed rendezvous for Fall 2024. These gatherings offer a unique opportunity for couples and friends of all genders to enjoy canyoneering together in a supportive and inclusive environment.
May 2024 - Chicks receive Petzl Foundation Grant
Petzl Foundation donates gear to the Chicks allowing us to break down barriers to women getting into canyoneering by providing essential training gear for our beginner training events. Want to try canyoneering and have no gear? Thanks to Petzl we have you covered.
Jan 2024 - Chicks welcome new Board members
We're excited to announce that Chicks has welcomed new Board members who bring fresh perspectives and ambitious goals for 2024. Our focus is on expanding training opportunities and breaking down more barriers in the canyoneering community. Stay tuned for exciting developments and new initiatives that will enhance your canyoneering experience. We encourage all our members to keep an eye on this space for upcoming announcements and opportunities.
Where Chicks began...
A message from our founder - Charleen
Hello, I started canyoneering in 2011 and I quickly became addicted to this challenging, exhilarating sport. At the conception of Chicks I had completed over 200 canyons. Getting out and spending time with mother nature is how I re-charge. I love the social aspect of canyoneering, the problem solving, and the challenge. The harder the canyon the more exciting! Along the way I noticed there are many difficulties for women involved in this sport. When I started I found myself wearing a men’s harness and men’s canyoneering shoes!!! I learned the best way to survive gearing up for canyoneering was to get tips from my fellow female canyoneers. As time passed I thought it could be useful if female canyoneering information had a “space” on the web and Canyoneering Chicks was born May 2017 and by November 2017 I started our Canyoneering Chicks Facebook group. We hosted our first “Knotty Night” that November and we have met every month to help provide women the opportunity to learn from other women how to become skilled canyoneers. I asked my friend Wendy to help me start a blog for women canyoneers but as we blogged I soon realized we could do more if we could gather our resources as like-minded female canyoneers. We can’t do great things by ourselves but we can do great things as a group. I realized a non-profit women’s canyoneering organization dedicated to helping promote women in the mostly male dominated sport of canyoneering could draw the women in our sport together to help elevate the female presence in the canyoneering community. Currently, there are few certified female professional canyoneering guides in America. This needs to change!!! On December 2017, Canyoneering Chicks became a Utah non-profit corporation. Canyoneering Chicks has grown rapidly with the help of many amazing women along the way and a whole host of community support. Proving my belief that we can do great things together. We hosted our 1st Spring ChicksFest in May of 2018. It was amazing to watch us up our skills together over one weekend. Welcome to our community of supportive like-minded female canyoneers!!!
We hope to be helpful and supportive of YOUR canyoneering goals whether they are recreational or professional. We want this to be a collaborative community and value your feedback, ideas and encourgage you to join us to keep this momentum going. We can do anything together!!
Chicks Today - Meet the 2024 Board
Chicks Chirp - Testimonials
Tori
Catherine
Brandy
Canyoning Chicks has facilitated my learning, growth and safety in the sport of canyoning. I would not be the canyons I am today without these wonderful ladies. Beyond this, I have loved the community, the learning and the fun. I recommend these events and classes to any woman wanting to get in the canyons!
Brandy
Catherine
Brandy
Canyoning Chicks Coalition has filled a niche by providing hands on training and experiences in a safety-first environment. I wound not be a canyoneer today without them!
Catherine
Catherine
Catherine
Canyoning Chicks Coalition has helped me increase my canyoneering technique while instilling safety and fun. I have been pushed and guided to be more competent and adventurous in a supportive environment.
Heather
Heather
Catherine
It's a blast adventuring with the coolest chicks! It's incredible meeting so many different woman that love to be in the most epic places.
Emily
Heather
Emily
I love the Canyoning Chicks because they are offering you the chance to try and experience canyoning in a safe and controlled space for you to enjoy it to the fullest.
Ami
Heather
Emily
The Chicks is where I was introduced to canyoning. Expect to meet the best people to network with and to work on skills and adventure!
