2007 inductees were: BICYCLING: Steve Sonne, Sonne Bicycling, Charter Sponsor of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club and the Ride for Missing Children / supporter of their own Championship BMX racing team (nominated by & introduced by Irv Perlman). CANOEING: Susan Beck, a paddler with paraplegia, who was on the inaugural outrigger canoe mainland U.S. team in IVF World Sprints in both 2004 in Hilo, Hawaii & 2006 in New Zealand (nominated & introduced by Jan Whitaker); Tanna Fries, USCA National Champions many times over, with her husband has made outstanding contributions to canoeing (nominated & introduced by Jan Whitaker). KAYAKING: Chris Koll, regional paddler from Manlius, has dedicated 3 decades of his life to both the pursuit of whitewater kayaking & organization of NYS recreational releases (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman}.

Prior to Ceremony * 2007 Bios * 2007 Flyer * 2007 Agenda * 2007 Ceremony Photos

2007 Inductee Bio's

BICYCLING: Steve Sonne - Stephen Sonne, was born February 24th, 1954 in Utica, NY, and married Laurel Myers in 1980. They have two children, Devin and Richard Sonne. At the age of 9, Steve’s father Dick bought him a 3 speed Raleigh from Andre’s Cycle Shop. This rare purchase at the time for someone Steve’s age was due to Dick’s personal love of cycling and his desire to share that passion with his son. Steve instantly followed in his father’s footsteps, quickly developing a passion for the sport which he maintains to this day.
At the age of 13, Steve acquired his second bike, a Rudge 10-speed, which he used that summer to take his first long distance road ride into Canada to visit a friend. On his 16th birthday, Steve’s father gave him his first racing bike. Steve rode it everywhere. He started participating in races throughout the Utica area, consistently placing in the top five.
While attending Utica College, Steve befriended another avid cyclist. Together they planned and made a cross country ride from Seattle to the Northeast. Steve has also extensively toured New England many times, putting 1000’s of miles on two wheels. Since the age of 17 Steve worked at the bicycle store his father had started in 1964. In 1985, over 20 years later, he and Laurel purchased the shop from his parents. They still run it today.
In the early 1980’s, Steve organized and promoted numerous road and mountain bike races in the Utica area. For the youth of the Central New York, he directed and developed a BMX track, which held weekly races. During this time period Steve was pivotal in the formation of the Mohawk Valley Cycling Club, an organization that still thrives. Steve also worked with community leaders and planners, aiding in the formation of bike lanes throughout Oneida County.
In the early 90s after a break-in at his store, Steve wanted to repay the New Hartford Police Department for all their help during this frustrating period. He donated bikes to the department, starting the first police bike patrol in Central New York. Subsequently, his shop donated bicycles to all surrounding villages and city police departments, including Utica. He also held clinics for officers in order to educate them on bicycle maintenance. Since then, Steve has been requested to teach clinics on bicycle maintanence by both Mohawk Valley Community College and New Hartford BOCES. He also gives free clinics at his shop every year.
Through his store Steve has supported and promoted many, championship, award winning cycling athletes. Sponsoring a mountain bike team in the late in the late 90s, whose riders claimed multiple individual titles, a road team which competes today throughout New York and a BMX team, that is co-managed by Steve’s son. This BMX team has, in 7 years of competition, claimed the New York State title twice along with top placement on the regional and national level.
Over the years Steve has given generously through his store to many charities, cycling and community events throughout New York State. He has always appreciated the community in which he lives and has given back to it time and again... Steve has always promoted bicycling as his number one goal for both children and adults. His dream is to bring cycling to the mainstream of American athletics. Today Steve is an avid road and mountain cyclist, riding daily as he claims, “It just makes me feel good.”
Following his father’s tradition, he views cycling as a tool for creating a stronger better person and an activity that families and friends can enjoy together which is not only healthy for people, but the environment as well.

CANOEING: Susan Beck, a Personal/Education/Profession: August, 2001 was a turning point for Sue Beck. Her normally active lifestyle that included running, winter hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks Area, and year-round skydiving was changed abruptly when she sustained a spinal cord injury in a plane crash. After several months of rehabilitation to adjust to living as a paraplegic and then returning to her job as a design engineer at Kodak, Sue looked for a replacement for some of the activities she loved, that she could enjoy with her husband, Jim. She began outrigger canoeing on the Genesee River in Rochester, NY with Sportsnet, a Rochester Rehab organization offering recreational activities for people with disabilities.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Sue helped train Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club members in Maryland to work with severely-injured soldiers under the Wounded Warrior Project from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She began her racing career in Hanover, NH in August, 2002, competing in exhibition races for adaptive outrigger canoeing at the U.S. Canoe Association Nationals. She was in the first-ever OC-6 sprint races for paddlers with physical disabilities in the 2005 USCA Nationals in Warren, PA, and in 2006, she and Jim traveled to Peshtigo, WI for OC-6 demonstration races at the USCA Nationals. She has raced every year since 2002 in the Rochester River Challenge, an inclusive outrigger canoeing event established by vigorous adaptive paddling advocate Jan Whitaker. Sue also travels regularly to Kent Island, MD in September for exhibition sprint races at the Kent Island Cup. In 2005, she was privileged to be asked to participate in the Kent Island Cup, a grueling 35-mile relay race circumnavigating the island, racing on the same team with soldiers from the club’s Wounded Warrior program. Other races Sue has participated in include the Armond Bassett Memorial Canoe and Kayak Race in Rochester, the St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers Madrid Canoe Regatta, and the 2006 and 2007 Ribbon Regatta sponsored by the Hope Chest Dragon Boat Team. In April 2004, Sue, her husband, Jim, and their teammates traveled with Jan and a group of paddlers with intellectual disabilities to Oakland, CA to participate in exhibition OC-6 sprint races at the Olympic Trials for Flat-water Canoe and Kayak. As a result they were offered an invitation to likewise participate in the 2008 Olympic Trials. 2004 was also the first year for adaptive paddling competition in the IVF World Sprints, in Hilo, Hawaii. Sue, Jim, Jan and a number of other paddlers formed a mixed men’s-and-women’s / able-bodied-and-disabled team representing the U.S. against teams from Canada, Italy, and Hawaii in V-12 exhibition races. The reception the disabled paddlers received from the athletes and the public was overwhelming. Sue and her teammates followed this with V-12 exhibition races at the 2006 IVF World Sprints in Karapiro, New Zealand, competing with others on the U.S. ECORA team against teams from Italy, Hawaii, the U.K. and New Zealand. The impact these performances have had on paddlers from other countries is evident from the growing enthusiasm canoe clubs from countries as widespread as Cook Islands and France have for starting their own adaptive outrigger canoeing programs, once they have seen that the canoes can be quickly set up with relatively simple, minor modifications to accommodate a wide range of disabilities. These modifications, in combination with the inherent stability of the outrigger, make the sport ideal for many with disabilities who might otherwise believe they could never participate in such an activity. Jan and Sue would like to eventually see outrigger canoeing events included in the Paralympics. As a result of the efforts of Jan, Sue and others demonstrating that it can be done, the IVF, in a ruling that moves the sport closer to that goal, will offer disabled-paddler classes as World Sprint Race Championship events in Sacramento, CA in 2008.
Memberships and Offices: Since 2005, Sue has been a charter member, Secretary and Board Member of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc., a non-profit chapter of Disabled Sports USA, dedicated to the promotion of outrigger canoeing for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. CAOO will for the third year sponsor teams of soldiers recovering from serious injuries from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Center and others to participate in the Rochester River Challenge Sprint Races in September, covering expenses for them and their families to travel to Rochester for the weekend for racing and other events. 2007 also marks the second year that CAOO will host the Rochester River Challenge.
Awards /Publications: Sue’s team won the first USCA National Championship OC-6 races for paddlers for disabilities in Warren, PA in 2005. At the Rochester River Challenge Sprint Races, her Women’s Masters Team, including many paddlers with disabilities, has won first place each year she has raced, demonstrating that disabled paddlers can compete on a par with able-bodied competitors. The race of which Sue is most proud was when her team captured the gold at the 2006 IVF World Sprints, in the first international V-12 race for all-disabled paddlers. However, each time she races, win or lose, Sue is proud of the contribution she makes in helping outrigger canoeing become a universally accepted sport for disabled paddlers. She knows that, like each participant, she is a winner - every time.

CANOEING: Tanna Gaustad Fries:
Personal: From Westernville, NY, married, one daughter, DOB 2-27-56
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Professional Experience: Registered Nurse; 1993 - present school nurse Rome City School District, Rome, NY; 1998 - 1993 self-employed Dialysis Consultant (Nephrology Nursing Network), Rochester, NY; 1981- 1988 Highland Hospital Dialysis Unit, Rochester, NY; 1978 - 1980 Intensive Care/Dialysis, Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre PA; Intensive Care Unit, 1977-1778 Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg, PA.
Paddling Experience: Started racing C-2 mixed with Mike Fries in 1980
1980 – 1993 Paddled in numerous amateur & professional marathon canoe racing events in the US and Canada in C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women, and C-1 Woman
Two time competitor in “Na Wahine O Ke Kai” Molokai to Oahu Outrigger Canoe Race
Paddling Achievements:
USCA National Champion
1983 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women
1985 – C-2 Women
1987 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women
1989 – C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
1990 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
1992 – C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
Multiple NYMCRA Championships – C-2 Mixed & C-2 Women
Multiple Pennsylvania State Championships – C-2 Mixed
Multiple wins in various amateur & professional marathon canoe races in US & Canada
“700 Club” -10 time participant in “General Clinton 70 mile Canoe Regatta,”
Placed in C-2 Open (Mixed) and C-2 Women Amateur & Professional classes
“Na Wahine O Ke Kai” Molokai to Oahu Outrigger Canoe Race ’86 – placed 2nd
Volunteer Experience/Organizations/Offices:
Member of USCA, United States Canoe Association
Member of NYMCRA, New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association
Past NYMCRA Officer
Past Race Organizer
Other: Educational Productions/Presentations
1990 Co-editor of “Long Distance Canoe Racing – Technique & Training”
An instructional presentation for successful canoe racing
1993 Co-editor of “Marathon Canoe Racing at It’s Best”
An overview of professional marathon paddlers at the “’93 General Clinton Canoe Regatta”
Presentation of Paddling Technique Clinics with husband, Mike Fries .

KAYAKING: Chris Koll, Chris Koll started kayaking in the fall of 1981 in a borrowed Perception Mirage on the Clarion River near Ridgway, Pennsylvania where he was employed as an English teacher and wrestling coach. During the next year, Koll demonstrated an ability to endure horrible thrashings as he bumbled his way down many of the Mid Atlantic’s top whitewater runs including the Gauley, Upper Yough, Big Sandy, Cheat, New and Moose Rivers.
By the summer of 1983, Koll had developed sufficient skills so that his humbling river beat-downs diminished in frequency. The timing was fortunate. Koll had chosen to change careers and relocate to Syracuse, NY—a location close to one of the largest concentrations of expert-level whitewater in the country.
During the following decade, Koll became a fixture on Adirondack rivers. But the late 1980s was a challenging era for many upstate rivers as hydro-electric development threatened to dewater many of the regions best whitewater runs including the Black and Bottom Moose Rivers.
Koll joined American Whitewater—the nation’s leading whitewater advocacy organization—in its efforts to preserve many of the best Adirondack whitewater rivers. As an American Whitewater volunteer, Koll helped AW accomplish the following achievements:
· Koll served as the editor of American Whitewater—the organization’s bi-monthly publication—for a period of five years during which time AW’s membership grew five-fold
· Koll and fellow volunteer Pope Barrow organized and ran AW’s initial Gauley River Festival which has developed into the largest annual whitewater gathering in the world
· Koll served on AW’s national board of directors for 12 years
· Koll organized the annual Moose River Festival in 1985—an event that now draws approximately 1,000 paddlers to Old Forge, NY every October and has raised nearly $50,000 for river conservation
· Koll helped facilitate AW’s relicensing plan developed by Albany, NY native Peter Skinner. The plan reintroduced water releases on the Raquette and Beaver Rivers and Koll developed the scheduling procedure that now attracts hundreds of paddlers to both resources
· Koll helped launched the original Black River Festival, Adirondack Creek Week and helped author AW’s guide for coordinating a river festival
Koll lives in Marcellus, NY along 500 yards of Nine Mile Creek. He is married to Caron Sanford Koll—a prominent class-5 paddler in her own right. They have two daughters—Carly and Sarah.
During the winter, Koll still coaches wrestling as a volunteer assistant for Marcellus High School when not attending his daughters’ races with the Mohawk Valley Ski Team.

2006 inductees were: BICYCLING: John Allis, member of the US Olympic Cycling Team in 1954, '68, '72, elected to the U. S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1993 (nominated by & introduced by Dick Sonne); and Dick Jordan, who each year has been chosen to be the lead rider for "The Ride for Missing Children" (nominated by & introduced by Laurel Sonne). CANOEING: Audrey Jensen, accepting on behalf of her husband, Eugene Jensen (one of the first hero legends in Canoeing (nominated by Gareth Stevens & introduced by Jan Whitaker). KAYAKING: Eric Jackson, Olympic Slalom Kayak Team, world Chamption Rodeo Kayaker (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman); Bernie Wooton, former flatwater marathon racer, served for years as a kayak safety boater for NY river rafting companies. (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman); and Peter Crowley, a blind person who has kayaked all over the globe, including solo kayaking the English Channel (nominated by Garry Horne).

Prior to Ceremony * Bios * 2006 Flyer * 2006 Agenda * 2006 Ceremony Photos

2005 Inductees

Friday, August 5, 2005 - from 11:00am to 12:30pm, friends and relatives attended the Children's Museum's 3rd Annual Int'l Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing Induction Ceremony, sponsored by Ed Waszkiewicz. Inducted were the following outstanding athletes: Bicycling, Giana Roberge, owner Team Speed Queen, Glen Ellen, CA (Gold Medal World Master's Time Trial) & Frank Williams, Utica, NY, Chairman - Advisory Board, Mohawk Valley office of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (1 of the CNY Ride for Missing Children founders); Rowing, Calvin Coffey, Watkins Glen, NY, owner Coffey Corporation (1976 Olympic silver medalist in Men's Coxless Pair-Oared Shells); Kayaking, Scott Locorini, Forestport, NY (Founder/Owner, Adirondack Exposure) & Brad Vrooman, Whitesboro, NY (owner of Northern Outfitters).

Photos of the 2005 Inductees & 2003-04 Introducers at Ceremony * Prior to Ceremony * Bios

Click on name to read the 2006 inductee bios - BICYCLING: John Allis & Dick Jordan; CANOEING: Audrey Jensen, accepting on behalf of her husband, Eugene Jensen; KAYAKING: Erie Jackson & Bernie Wooton & Peter Crowley.

BICYCLING -
... John Allis represented the US on the Olympic teams of 1964, 1968 and 1972. He was a member of the first wave of Americans to enter international cycling competition in the 1970’s. Together with other great American riders of that period, John laid the groundwork for the American champions of the 1980’s, who in turn made possible the careers of Lance Armstrong and others.
...John began racing while a student at Princeton University, during which time he dominated intercollegiate cycling. He had not yet graduated when he led three of his Princeton teammates to compete in the World Road Championships in Belgium, marking the first US team to travel overseas to compete in international stage races.
When his teammates returned to the US, John stayed to race in Europe, signing on as a category 1 amateur with the large influential French ACBB team. He was the first English speaker ever to ride for the team. Despite skepticism of French cycling enthusiasts, who informed him that Americans were biologically unfit to compete, Allis achieved victories, including Paris to Caveax-sur-Mer in 1964. The team was so surprised to see their American rider win that they had to scramble to find him a clean jersey to wear on the podium, as he’d been given the worst one in the shop. He returned home to complete his Princeton degree.
...Soon he was trying out in Manhattan’s Central Park for the 1964 Olympic games. Once he made the cut from 150 hopefuls to 18 chosen, he took a year off from college to compete. In his senior year at Princeton, John participated in his first Olympic Games in Tokyo, producing the best American result in the Men’s Individual Road Race. He also raced in the team time trial in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and the road race at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
...John was a member of the World’s Championship team in the years 1963, 1965, 1968, 1973, and 1974. In 1968, while serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he even was given time off to compete. John shone in American racing in the early 1970’s, organizing the Raleigh team that dominated American racing. John personally won the U. S. National Road Championship in 1974, the 175-mile Quebec-Montreal race in 1973, and two runnings of the Mt Washington Hill Climb. He has raced in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and France.
...From 1972 to 1976, John was a member of the Athlete’s Advisory Council to the U. S. Olympic Committee. From 1975 to 1976, John was a member of the Board of Advisors of Bikecentennial. In 1975, John was active with the National Committee on uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances in the formulation of a national highway code for bicycles. Remarkably, John achieved all his victories as an amateur. He retired from national competition in 1976, and was inducted into the U. S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1993.
...Today, John is a member of the Raleigh/Century Road Club of America and the Boston area Bicycle Coalition. He has coached the Harvard University cycling team since 1980, riding with the team early mornings. A Co-owner of the Belmont & Ace Wheelworks bike stores, John bikes to work most every day.

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BICYCLING -
... Dick Jordan, from New Hartford, N.Y. D.O.B. Aug 17, 1940 -- Utica, NY. Grew up in Sauquoit, NY - Now a resident of New Hartford, NY for 45 years. Received my first two wheel bike for my seventh birthday - a 24" RollFast single speed model. This bike was a challenge on the hills of Sauquoit! I still remember the thrill of that first ride and the feeling of freedom it gave me! A feeling that is repeated each time I get on my bike almost 60 years later! Cycling has been a part of my life since that first ride. I rode my bike to work during the 1960's and 70's, then began to cycle for serious fitness in the 80's. As the equipment got better, it became a lot easier. I also began to do some cycle touring, taking many trips to visit relatives near Scranton, PA -- 130 mile day trips.
...In 1994, when I retired from my 36 year career in the utility industry, I rewarded myself with a 1600 mile, 18 day trip to visit my son in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This was a very exciting adventure that I will always remember. In 1995, I was honored to be chosen as a member of "Sara's Team," and to participate in "Sara's Ride For Missing Children," a 12 day trip from Washington Mills, NY to Washington, DC to honor the memory of Sara Ann Wood, and to heighten awareness about the plight of missing and exploited children. This is a cause that I have dedicated myself to help in any way possible to save children from becoming victims! "Sara's Rode" was a 12 day trip through 5 states and arriving in Washington DC on May 25, 1995 - National Missing Children's Day.
Since 1995, each year I have been chosen to be the lead rider for "The Ride for Missing Children," and serving as a "shepherd" for new riders and a guide on training rides.
... Many of my most enjoyable rides are of a more casual nature with my wife Mary Ann, my two children, and my grandchildren, Tyler (14) and Ryan (7). We like to ride along the Erie Canal trails near Syracuse, NY. These rides offer some of the most beautiful scenery and opportunities to see a lot of wildlife, but most important is the time with family and just plain fun! I typically log 4000-6000 miles yearly. In May, 2005 it was my privilege to be a member of a 40 person team that rode to DC on the 10th Anniversary Ride For Missing Children. This was another exciting, emotion packed odyssey never to be forgotten!
... I have presented hundreds of bike safety seminars at various elementary schools--teaching children about safe riding habits, bike maintenance, and the benefits of wearing a helmet, also showing the kids that cycling is fun at any age! The children love to hear about my cycling experiences, and hopefully they take home some enthusiasm for the sport. Needless to say cycling is my life and my passion. There is no other activity that offers so much enjoyment and the opportunity to meet so many dear people from all walks of life. Today I ride a Pinarello "Opera" steel/carbon road bike, what a difference from that first 40lb RollFast single speed!

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CANOEING -
... Eugene Jensen - the award will be accepted by his wife
... “He didn’t invent marathon canoe racing, but by 1980, he was certainly a racing legend, and he was the foremost designer of racing hulls. His name was Eugene Jensen, and his Jensen-designed canoes have dominated both professional and recreational marathon racing for years.” – Canoe Journal 1997
... “As a designer Gene Jensen revolutionized the paddling world by putting efficient, fun-to-paddle canoes in the hands of the average paddler. More than any other individual he has brought the world of canoeing into the modern era. A ‘pretty good’ or ‘average’ canoe never has and never will be one of Gene’s goals.” – Mike Cichanowski, President, We-no-nah Canoes
...In Memory of Gene Jensen by Janet Perry, from the United State Canoe Association article - During the morning of May 15, 2004, Gene Jensen quietly passed away. Marathon canoe paddlers inside and outside the United States Canoe Association owe some of the greatest (likely the very greatest) inventions related to marathon canoe racing to Gene’s innovative, playful mind: the bent shaft paddle, the cry of “hut” to communicate the switch during sit and switch styled paddling, the USCA cruiser, the “standard” racing canoe, and all the J-canoes for solo paddling.
...Anecdotes aplenty (and possibly plenty of exaggerated anecdotes) also show that Gene was a prime instigator of psychologically-driven practical jokes — jokes that tested a competitor’s ability to sense foolishness when she or he heard it. That inclination, ironically, showed that Gene knew better than anyone that fine equipment didn’t make a fine athlete.
...Nevertheless, Gene also knew that poor equipment could break a fine athlete. His greatest legacy to contemporary marathon canoe racers, therefore, is his great talent for engineering fine canoe equipment. Many may have accused him of fooling around the specification rules, but Gene’s take on the issue was always to get an edge on the competition by using the rules.
...In Gene’s own words, “I don’t break the rules, although I might test them. A rule usually slices two ways. If I happen to find the keener edge, or a best angle, on the other side of the rule, I’m going to use it. Anyone who wants to be the best will use the best edge and the best angle to his advantage. It’s not just best for the person using the rule, it’s the best thing for the sport.”
...Gene’s innovations have outlived him. One could conclude with confidence that his invention within the rules truly revolutionized the sport of marathon canoe racing.
It is difficult to say goodbye to Gene. He is dear to many paddling friends for his playfulness, generosity, intelligence, and sheer cussedness in the many faces of adversity and foolishness. It is difficult to say goodbye to Gene because he made a success of making our sport more fun, even though there’s not much more than pure enjoyment in that kind of success.
...Mostly though, it is difficult to say goodbye to our own Mr. Jensen, because meeting the likes of a man with a bit of genius and more than his share of playful good humor doesn’t happen too often. As hard as it is to say, nevertheless: goodbye Gene. Thanks for all the great stuff we play in and all the memories we share about you. We’ll always remember you. Everyone in the USCA sends our heartfelt sympathy to all your family and friends. View the Jensen website.

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KAYAKING -
... Erie Jackson, Olympic Slalom Kayak Team, World Champion Rodeo Kayaker, owner of Jackson Kayaks. He has recently dedicated his kayak manufacturing pursuits to, among other things, designing and building whitewater kayaks specifically for children. Additionally, he has driven kayak design at the national level for many years. The Jackson Kayak Company, born in October of 2003, is owned by Eric Jackson, along with Tony Lunt, a kayaker friend from Arizona. Eric creates kayaks with David Knight, his design partner since 1994. David Knight is a C-1er from the Washington, DC area. His full time job is as a Naval Architect at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Eric's wife, Kristine, is Director of Sales. Tony Lunt adds the financial support. He is a destination kayaker that must normally travel to find water. When not “street surfing” during the occasional downpour in Tucson, AZ, you can find him riding his stallions and roping cattle on his expansive desert ranch. Jackson Kayak is located on Rock Island Road, in Rock Island, Tennessee, home of the Ultimate freestyle hole, and the Brave Wave. View his website.

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KAYAKING -
... Bernie Wooton, local longtime paddler from Oneida, NY. His history includes many years of serving as a kayak safety boater for river rafting companies in New York. He has guided and safety boated extensively on the Moose, Black, Hudson, Fish, Salmon, and other rivers in NY. He is a former flatwater marathon racer, having won first place in the racing kayak division of the Adirondack Canoe Classic and many other races in te northeast for many years. He has largely dedicated his recreational life to promoting the fun and fitness of kayaking, and has spent countless hours for many, many years teaching people how to kayak-and all for free. He is a really great person, well respected in the kayak community in NY and definitely deserves recognition.

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