About
Paddle With Style began in 2009. We began by offering paddling program designed to help kids in central Texas learn how to canoe. Within a year we began offering lessons geared adults entering into the Texas Water Safari, which led to offering lessons for everyone of all interests, ages, and skill levels. Since starting out we have traveled all over the country various canoe and kayak courses specializing in ACA instructor courses and the Texas Water Safari.
We are grateful for supportive friends and community which has allowed us to continue growing and reaching out to different areas of paddlesports through rentals and guided trips. Due to our growth, we split the company in 2020. Our fellow company, Texas Canoes and Kayaks, offers the recreational rentals and guided trips, allowing Paddle With Style to return to its original focus of instructing.
Meet Holly Orr
Owner and Instructor
Related Certifications
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Wilderness First Responder (NOLS)
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Basic Adult, Child & Infant First Aid & CPR/AED
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Certified ACA Canoe Instructor Trainer Level II
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Certified ACA Kayak Instructor Trainer Level II
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Certified ACA Stand Up Paddle Board Instructor Level I
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Certified as a United State Canoe Racing Association Canoe Instructor
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Certified CAPPA Fitness Trainer and Educator
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Boy Scouts of America Canoe/Kayak Merit Badge Counselor
Holly is an outdoor enthusiast. While she enjoys backpacking and hiking adventures, her passion is distance paddling. In 2001, she began competing in ultra marathon canoe races. She also began teaching kids kayaking camps as a summer job. Currently, she still enjoys racing, but her main focus is on instructing and getting people outside.
Holly is proud and grateful for the opportunity to have held courses all the way from Vermont to California working with various individuals and organizations including Texas Parks & Wildlife, REI, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Boy/Girl Scouts, Texas State University, Texas A&M and Baylor University .
Staying active in the community, she has volunteered and served on the local fire/river rescue team, serves as a TCKRA Board Member, and helps organize several river cleanups.
Racing Accomplishments
16 Texas Water Safari Finishes
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Broke 6 different women’s records
(some of which her students have since broken by her student)
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12 class wins
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Currently holds Women’s C1 record
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Personal fastest finishing time: 38:36
5 Colorado 100 finishes
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All finishes are first place
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In 2007 Holly and Fred Mynar set the current mixed course
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record of 11:55
Other Races
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Holly holds multiple first place Texas State Championships for Women’s USCA C1, USCA C2, and Aluminum, as well as other races throughout the state of Texas
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First place at the 2011 & 2024 Aluminum National Championships
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MR340. 2016 First place OVER ALL win. First time for an all-female team to win the overall title against over 400 teams in the 340 mile race across Missouri. (Team with Morgan, Mollie, Amy, Brenda, Virginia)
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Great Alabama 650 - 2020 Second tandem (first women's), 4th over all with Mollie Binion.
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Ausable River Marathon 2021. 3rd place women with Cecili Bugge
Most proud paddling accomplishment:
* Introducing her 3 kids to the joy of paddle sports.
* 2022 Texas Water Safari with her 13 year old son. First mother/child to ever complete the TWS. Winning 9th over all, 1st mixed, 1st adult/child and priceless memories.
Holly's team racing in the 2017 Texas Water Safari.