Officers-Conservation

I grew up in New Jersey and had no exposure to whitewater. After graduating from the University of Michigan, I started my environmental engineering career at Union Carbide (now Dow chemical) in South Charleston, West Virginia. I always loved the water and have been swimming for exercise since 1972. In 1979, I was invited to a whitewater clinic sponsored by the West Virginia Whitewater Association. It has been all down river from there. I tried both an open canoe and a kayak and preferred a single blade. I started in a 16-foot Blue Hole but transitioned to a C1. My paddling frequency has varied over the years as I spent a year abroad, 5 years in graduate school Madison, Wisconsin, and a year in Ada, Oklahoma. All were a long drive to whitewater. I have been in Raleigh, NC since 1989 and paddle as much as I possibly can which amounts to 25 – 30 days a year, or never enough. I get excited anytime that there is rain in the forecast. My favorite river is the Nolichucky because of the combination of rapids, scenery, and the fact that it is never crowded. In addition to the rivers, I love the people. Virtually everyone that I have ever paddled with has been great and nothing beats a day on the river with friends.

Please contact me at conservation.chair@carolinacanoeclub.org