SUP NORTHWEST

SUP4NWBB:

Goal: My goal is to explore the entire length of the Columbia River From the Canadian Border to the West Coast/Pacific Ocean. This portion of the Columbia River is between 800-900 miles. I have broken the river up into 5 Legs for exploratory purposes with a goal of completing one leg each year till completion. Once completed, the ultimate goal is to redo the entire adventure of all 5 legs in one 6-8 week trip. The Legs are as follows:

1. Leg 1: Bonneville Dam to Astoria – Exploration Complete 125 Miles 

2. Leg 2: Umatilla to Portland – Exploration Complete 190 Miles

3. Leg 3: Wenatchee to Umatilla – Exploration Complete 198 Miles

4. Leg 4: Grand Coulee Dam to Wenatchee – Exploration Complete 2023 – 121 Miles

5. Leg 5: Canadian Border to Grand Coulee Dam – Scheduled Summer 2024 – 150 Miles

History: The whole idea of this adventure started with an evening out for dinner and drinks. Jokingly a friend and I who had just started Paddling for fun began tossing around the idea of how far we can go. One thing led to another, and we planned to test this out. On our first attempt we made it 70 miles towards the coast and learned a ton about what to bring and what not to bring. The next year I attempted the same route and made it 125 miles out into the mouth of the Columbia from Bonneville dam. At this point I realized that my goal to explore the entire river from Canada to Coast was achievable. The next year I decided that if I’m going to do this, I could also do it for a cause. In researching organizations to support, I came across Northwest Battle Buddies and determined they were the organization I wanted to represent. 

In my first meeting with Northwest Battle Buddies, I presented my plan, and like everyone else they looked at me with wide eyes but said, yes! Let’s do this! That summer we set out on our first charity Expedition from Umatilla to Portland. The expedition was a success. I navigated approximately 190 miles via the Columbia River on my paddle board. The route took coordination with Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington State Parks Service to portage around the dams and travel through the Locks at John Day Dam. During the trek we ran a live GPS and did some live video streams so supporters could follow along in the Journey. I learned so much on this voyage about packing and what supplies were essential. In the end we raised over $9000 and determined this would be a great annual event. This is where we came up with the name SUP4NWBB and planned out the next leg for the following year.

After great success with the trip from Umatilla to Portland, we planned the next leg of the Adventure from Rocky Reach Dam in Wenatchee to Umatilla. This leg posed several challenges from multiple Dam portages, extreme heat, and swift currents in areas. This leg was completed in approximately 6 days, and I traveled around 198 miles. With my wife as my support, we navigated around 3 dams and had a very successful adventure. The solo trek took me through many desert areas including Hanford. When I got to Tri Cities there was a News Crew waiting for me and they were kind enough to publish a story in support o four cause. Again, we published a live GPS beacon and Raised Funds totaling nearly $10,000 for Northwest Battle Buddies. This inspired me to continue this mission. Little did I know what challenges lay ahead in the future.

During the Pandemic Era, I had to take a year off as we did not have the support needed to complete the journey, so I planned to venture out the following year in 2021. After extensive planning we were set to accomplish the 4th Leg that would have taken us from Fort Spokane to Wenatchee, approximately another 180 miles. I was all set and ready to go but something was off, and I could feel it in my soul. I decided to attempt the trip anyways but was halted from entering the river at Fort Spokane by the US Forestry Service as there was 100,000 plus acres burning due to a wildfire in the canyon down river. With heavy hearts and heavy smoke in the air we determined that there was no choice but to reroute. We decided that we would move down river and redo leg 1 for charity. Something still felt off however and my body was telling me. Unfortunately, I ignored my body and attempted to launch from Bonneville Dam to still complete a journey for charity. Shortly after launching the wind picked up in the Columbia River gorge to nearly 25 miles per hour making for extreme conditions with White Caps. The excessive work to keep the board going down river began wearing on me quickly and then out of nowhere, I physically lost 90% of the use of my hands and arms. Unbeknownst to me, I had collapsed a disk in my neck and permanently damaged the nerves used to control my hands. The mission turned into a nightmare, being stranded on the river then finally being able to get out nearly 4 hours later in a very inhospitable area. I was eventually able to get extracted the next day and faced serious medical problems. I was devastated and didn’t know if I would ever get the full use of my hands back.

Following the halted expedition, we still raised nearly $10,000. Though I had felt like I had let down the Team at NWBB, my followers, and our Veterans, I had no choice but to press on. I was almost immediately scheduled for spinal surgery to try and save my hands. I ended up having 3 surgeries in the year following this failure. In the midst of this I also lost my Father, my Sister, two friends to suicide, and had a baby. Though I was broken down, I found God and he lifted me back up. It has now been over a year since the last surgery, and I am inspired to never give up. My father who passed taught me that. It is with great satisfaction and 18 months of physical therapy and recovery that I am planning to continue where I left off on our last halted journey. This year’s expedition to support our Veterans and NWBB will be in honor of my Father and Sister, who were two of my biggest supporters.

In August 2023 this summer we completed our most recent route. This route continued our mission to explore the entire Columbia River from Canada to the Ocean and taking my partner and I from Grand Coulee Dam to Rocky Reach Dam in Wenatchee. The route ended up being 121 miles. 

I will never be at 100% again with my injuries but as a Soldier we adapt, improvise, and overcome all obstacles. We can achieve all things through the power of Christ who strengthens us. I truly believe that and want to set a positive example to all those struggling that you can achieve. Physical limitations or not, where there is a will, there is a way. Support us next summer by following our Journey August 2024. Blessed are we!