Katie, an avid slaydie, llama wrangle, and passionate writer has been recreating in the outdoorssince birth. (*slaydie: verb, noun: lady who slays). Her love for the wild outdoors began when she went on her first backpacking trip at the young age of four. From there, she tagged also ng on many of her parent's adventures, until she realized her own love and excitement for the wilderness. This planted the seed for a lifelong pursuit of adventure, the outdoors, and sharing
this passion with others.
She went to college in Santa Barbara, where she spent her free time volunteering for the outdoors club. This is where she discovered her passion for stand-up paddle boarding. The club needed a SUP student leader and she took this role head-on, jumping right in and learning all she could along the way.
After college, Katie landed in the world of guiding. She started as a backpacking guide in Yosemite and then in 2020 had a new opportunity as a llama guide in Montana/ Wyoming. She is now going into her 7th season of guiding. For now, she calls the Tahoe/Truckee area home and spends any time she can on various rivers, lakes, and mountains in the basin and surrounding areas. Ask Katie to go on any adventure that involves type two fun, pickled veggies, and a group of other rad slaydies, and she’s there. When she’s not guiding or being a llama wrangler, you can find her attempting headstands on her SUP or ripping powder turns on her splitboard.
Author Profile
Katie Young
Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 27 by Katie Young
Best Paddle Boards
We bought some of the best stand up paddle boards (both rigid and inflatables) and tested them in a variety of...
Best Buy
Niphean Review
The Niphean delivers exceptional value with stable performance that rivals boards costing significantly more. It's...
Top Pick
Bote LowRider Aero Tandem Review
A unique and highly versatile inflatable with excellent tracking and stability. A great choice for paddlers looking...
iRocker Blackfin Model V Review
The Blackfin Model V delivers an unexpected mix of speed, stability, and convenience, making it a standout choice for...
Retrospec Weekender Review
This is a very average board that new paddlers may find a bit challenging to stay upright on, but its lightweight...
FunWater Review
This inflatable SUP is a lightweight, beginner-friendly board that offers solid stability and easy portability at an...
Bote HD Aero Review
A larger board that offers incredible stability, ideal for casual paddlers, beginners, or anyone wanting extra room...
ROC Polar Outdoor Review
A lightweight, agile paddle board best for experienced paddlers seeking easy transport and quick turns, but it may...
Kokopelli Chasm-Lite Review
The Chasm isn't your typical inflatable SUP. Its purpose? Built for adventurers who prioritize packability over...
Editors' Choice
Surftech Lido Utility Armor Review
This SUP blends smooth glide, surprising agility, and rock-solid stability in a lightweight, easy-to-carry package...
NSP Cruise Elements Review
If you're looking for a no-fuss, hardshell paddleboard that's easy to transport and ideal for calm-water cruising...
Bote Breeze Gatorshell Review
If you're looking for a super stable, bombproof paddleboard that's great for beginners and will stand the test of...
Editors' Choice
Bote Wulf Aero Review
An affordable board that turns on a dime and has incredible stability? This inflatable paddle board is perfect for any...
Top Pick
Isle Pioneer 3 Review
The Pioneer 3 impressed us with its effortless use and exceptional stability, making it ideal for beginner to...
Bote Breeze Aero Review
One of our favorite boards for beginner to intermediate paddlers seeking a stable inflatable board for a variety of...
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