Just last month two Reno kids became the youngest to kayak the length of the Grand Canyon - all 280 miles of it.  

Along with their parents, ten-year-old Azalea and eight-year-old Wylie Burnham battled the rapids and waves for more than two weeks - a feat that requires high level whitewater skills.  The Burnham family conquered it in July of 2024, paddling hundreds of miles, for days on end.

Specifically, “18,”  Azalea  tells us and continues; “Supposed to be 19 but we pulled out on take-out, a day early because there were no good camp sites.”

Azalea and her brother Wylie started kayaking before they could walk.

“As soon as our kids could fit on a life jacket we had them on a raft or a kayak,” shares dad Macy, who spent years as a professional kayaker.  At first it was tandem kayak rides with mom and dad. Now, the kids handle their boats solo."

“They put the effort,” confirms dad, “They put the time in to really excel at the sport and it's really fun to see.”

Even more fun to do.

“The anticipation of what's gonna be around the next corner,” is just one of the highlights for Azalea.  For Wylie, it’s hard to choose just one thing; “Uhm, I’m really good at rolling in like big water.”

We catch up with the Burnham family as they enjoy the Whitewater Park in downtown Reno for an easy day on the Truckee River.

Mom Amanda says this kind of training is crucial for her kids.

“Because with an adult you've got a lot of muscle so you can really take strokes that you power through things,”  Amanda illustrates by describing the kids as ducklings on the water, a big difference from adults who can use their weight to move in a certain direction,  “If you're much smaller you  have to find the weaknesses in the water.”

Azalea has the intellectual part pretty well sorted; “You have to be practical with your lines. You have to set them like,  in different spots, sometimes you have to thread the needle between two holes or you have to punch a wave.”

There were plenty of waves on the route through the Grand Canyon and other challenges.  Dad says Wylie and Azalea were never in danger and always had a safety team surrounding them.

“There was no pressure in any rapids, if the kids didn't like a rapid, you know, they had the option to walk it.”

There was no walking, Wylie and Azalea ran the whole course and set new records for the youngest to kayak the entire length of the Grand Canyon.

“Happy!” enthuses Azalea, “Because I like - an accomplishment.”

Both kids say they are now ready for NEW challenges.

“It's really fun!” exclaims Wylie, smiling from ear to ear.

The Burnham family also loves to snow-ski - so, during the winter months you will find them on our local, Tahoe slopes.