Brad Ludden is a professional

kayaker ] A kayak is a small, narrow human-powered watercraft typically propelled by means of a long, double-bladed paddle. The word ''kayak'' originates from the Inuktitut word ''qajaq'' (). In British English, the kayak is also considered to be a ...

born in

Sheridan, Wyoming Sheridan is a city in the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Sheridan County, Wyoming, Sheridan County. The city is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore by U.S. Route 14 in Wyoming, U.S. ...

on May 8, 1981. He started kayaking internationally at the age of twelve. His career has taken him to more than forty countries. Ludden is the founder of a charity called First Descents, an organization that benefits cancer patients. At age 12, Brad learned his aunt was diagnosed with cancer, and shortly after his mother began volunteer work at a local

pediatric Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many of their youth ...

oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's Etymology, etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγ ...

camp. He volunteered one day each summer, instructing campers on kayaking. This is when he realized he could serve his community while kayaking. In 1999 he began construction of First Descents and in 2001, construction was finished, with aid from The State of Colorado. In 2008 he was named

Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Internationalism * World citizen, one who eschews traditional geopolitical divisions derived from national citizenship * Cosmopolitanism, the idea that all of humanity belongs to a single moral community * Cosmopolitan ...

Magazine's "Hottest Bachelor in America." Ludden's has also started a blog known as Athletes Givin

where he highlights athletes involved in charitable work. He lives in

Kalispell, Montana Kalispell (, Salish-Spokane-Kalispel language, Montana Salish: Ql̓ispé, Kutenai language: Kqayaqawakⱡuʔnam) is a city in Montana and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2020 census put Kalispell's population at ...

. he has numerous sponsorship deals, including deals with -

Nike Nike often refers to: * Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment * Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory Nike may also refer to: People * Nike (name), a surname and feminine giv ...

, Smith Optic

Dagger Kayaks,

Subaru is the automaker, automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate (company), conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries), the Automotive industry#By manufacturer, twenty-first largest aut ...

, AT Paddles, Kokata

and Training Day

Philanthropy

First Descents - Founder

Kayaking Career Competition Results

* 3rd Place Cadet Division at the JR Nationals 1994 * JR National Freestyle Champion 1999 * 3rd Place JR World Freestyle Championships 1997 * 1st Place Japan Open 1998 * 3rd Place European Open 1998 * x Freestyle Athlete of the year, Adventure Quest Kayak Academy 1998, 1999 * 2nd Place JR World Freestyle Championships 1999 * 1st Place Lofer Rodeo Austria 2000 * Teva Mountain Games medals between 2001 and 2008"Teva Mountain Games Results"

References

External links

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

Adventure "Show Boaters

*

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

First Descents program raises hope for cancer patient

*

Magazine's Hottest Bachelor in America 200

* Cosmopolitan Being a Cosmo Bachelor: The Play-by-Pla

* Vail Dail

* Vail Magazine "The Many Dimensions of Brad Ludde

* Outdoors Fan Hous

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ludden, Brad Kayakers 1981 births Living people Sportspeople from Kalispell, Montana