The Rhythm of the River
“Find Your Passion!”
Montana Rivers
Written by Cyd Hoefle
Photography contributed by Shawna Noble
The ebbs and flows of a river, guided by the rhythms of the natural world, ranging from quiet, tranquil waters to white- water rapids are the same patterns that mimic the life of Shawna Noble.
The youngest of five children, Shawna grew up in a single parent household. Her greatest adventures involved riding her bike around the streets of Billings and playing in the backyard.
“I wasn’t given the opportunity to explore the outdoors,” she said. “It was totally out of my realm back then.”
But there was something in Shawna, built into her inner spirit, that led her into the world of outdoor adventure. Her life path has been rocky at times, veering her in directions she didn’t see coming, but through it all, she has become the person she believes she was meant to be.
When Shawna’s daughter, Lexi, was two years old, her father passed away, unexpectedly and dealt Shawna the role of single parent. Just 23, alone, heartbroken and grief stricken, she accepted the gift of a guided kayaking trip on the Gallatin River. That trip ultimately started the transformation of her life.
“I’d never been on a river,” Shawna reflected, “and the peace and stillness was amazing. I started to realize how much there is in this world that I had yet to do. That kayak trip started a process in me that changed my attitude about life.”
She began what she calls her “Life List,” a notebook of experiences she hoped to accomplish in her life - especially those outside of her comfort zone. Listed were rock climbing, skiing, and rafting. Every year, Shawna would add another adventure.
“It started as ideas I thought Patrick would have wanted to do, but it soon became what I wanted to do,” Shawna said. “I began to understand that I am capable of learning new things and doing them. I can say ‘yes’ to adventure.”
While she was working for an accounting firm in Billings, she discovered the Outdoor Adventure Leadership Program at MSU-B. Shawna decided to go back to school.
“Once again, I was out of my comfort zone, but I felt called to do this,” she smiled. “It was the first time in my life that I felt stillness and at peace with myself. I became obsessed with learning everything I could about outdoor adventure and wanting more and more.”
After completing the program, Shawna and her daughter moved to Gardiner, Montana where, for the next six years, she worked as a white-water rafting guide.
Giving her daughter the opportunity to grow up in a world that she hadn’t experienced as a child was very gratifying for Shawna.
“I’d never been on a river, and the peace and stillness was amazing. I started to realize how much there is in this world that I had yet to do. That kayak trip started a process in me that changed my attitude about life.”
“It was a wonderful life that we had,” Shawna said. “The impact it had on both my daughter and me, building our self-esteem and confidence. We were watching each other grow at the same time.”
One of the first lessons Shawna learned as a rafting guide was how to survive when a raft flips over.
“I always had a fear of water, so I took swimming classes and scuba classes to overcome that fear because I knew it was something that I had to get over.”
The rafting company required the guides to learn how to safely flip in the water.
“It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” Shawna said. “The roughness of the water, the feeling of not being in control, but we had to get comfortable flipping in high, big water. After several intentional flips, I could feel myself getting more and more comfortable with something that I’ve been afraid of my entire life. It was a beautiful relief and a reminder that I am a strong, capable woman!”
After working six years as a guide, Shawna and Lexi moved back to Billings where she became the manager of Sunshine Sports. Her experience there, for over a decade, has honed her expertise of rafts, equipment and accessories. She enjoys helping outfit customers, especially those new to the sport.
“It’s a gentle process to encourage people to do things that take them out of their comfort zones,” she said. “I’m someone who is constantly wanting to explore and experience life with this constant optimism. It’s just who I am.”
It’s that optimism that comes across when Shawna works with her customers. Because she’s excited about rafting, her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. But she’s also intentional about taking time outside of work to enjoy the outdoors, filling her free time with rafting, skiing and winter camping and she wants others to enjoy that too.
“There’s always a balance between work and play, and you need to find what it is and do it,” she said. “This is how more people should be living life – work less, play more. Stretch your comfort zone; being slightly uncomfortable is where growth happens. The stillness and the lightness I feel when I stretch myself and get outdoors is what fills me, and I want others to experience that too.”
Sunshine Sports is community minded and supports many outdoor programs such as Back Country Film Festivals, Trail Net, Outdoor Ministries and Veteran programs.
“When people reach out to me wanting sponsorship for an activity that is outdoor related, it’s hard to say ‘no.’ If it’s outdoor recreation, I’m in! There’s nothing greater than getting out and experiencing it! Especially for kids!”
Shawna said the Stillwater River is her favorite, because of all its personalities, though she still tries to add a new river each year and has even traveled to Africa. She reflected on a couple of her multi-day river trips, like the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.
“Sleeping under the stars is one of the most beautiful experiences in the world- lying under the universe and watching the stars. Nothing will make you feel tinier - where nothing matters.”
Beating breast cancer has been the biggest fight in Shawna’s life. Cancer -free for six years, she views it as a battle she won because of her attitude.
“I had a lot of chemo and radiation, but I worked every day through it all just to prove to myself that I was not going to let this beat me and I’m going to stay on top of it,” she said.
A week after she completed her radiation, she joined friends and rafted the Salmon River.
“It was exhausting, but it was so beautiful after going through everything I did,” Shawna continued. “Being so familiar with loss, it gave me more of this drive to live life more fully. The cancer was a big surprise, but I loved showing Lexi what we’re capable of as humans if we put our minds to it. I didn’t let cancer stop me from following my passions. I really think it’s all about attitude.”
Despite her optimist outlook, Shawna does allow herself down days. “There’s nothing wrong with having bad days, or sad days, and I allow myself to have those emotions, but at the end of the day, it’s time to pick myself back up. Tomorrow’s a new day and what a beautiful day we’re going to have – let’s go!”
The rivers, Shawna said, have taught her life lessons. Being alert and cautious of what’s going on around you. Being ready for the unexpected and being ready to enjoy life’s circumstances, whatever they may be.
To others, Shawna said, “Find your passion! Don’t settle for something that isn’t you! Take the time to learn something new every day and never take for granted what you have.”