Jenny (left) and Verlen Kruger (right) paddling in a Kruger canoe!

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The Kruger Cruiser that Verlen and Bob will be using during the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 5-31, 2001

Verlen Kruger (Paddler)

Verlen has over 90,000 total recorded paddling miles, and 11 long distance records. He is a canoe and kayak designer and builder. His goal in this race is to set a new record using the same canoe design that set the record in 1984.

Verlen Kruger is an author, lecturer, photographer, tripping canoeist extraordinaire, and an explorer.

He is a member of the world renowned Explorers Club, listed in Who's Who in the state of Michigan, and appointed as a Citizen Ambassador for the state as well. His travels and accomplishments have been entered into the US Congressional Record!

Verlen has been made honorary member of Partners of America, People to People, life member of numerous canoe clubs, and honored with countless awards, plaques, and keys to cities on both the North and South American continents.

He is internationally known for his canoeing exploits. Having broken nearly every long distance in the book, and some that aren't, he has been included in the Guiness Book of Records on several occasions. Lecture invitations have arrived from Europe, England, Australia, and South America.

He wants to be instrumental in raising substantial monies for the Rett Syndrome Foundation and have a lot of fun along the way. He encourages everyone to participate in the longest and most formidable canoe race in history....The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome!!

For more information on Verlen's legendary paddling history, World Records and really great canoes please see his website at Kruger Canoes

Bob Bradford (Paddler)

Bob is from Lampeer, Michigan. He is married to Janet, a wonderful and understanding wife. They have two great children, Mike and Angie.

Bob is retired from General Motors and stays busy competing in canoe, snowshoe and marathon racing! Like the rest of us he wants to set a new World Record and is looking forward to paddling with Verlen.

Bob has entered 11 Ausable canoe marathons and currently holds the Seniors record!! He finished 1st place in the Seniors U.S.C.A. Nationals. Bob has also raced in 9 General Clinton and 6 La Classique Internationale canoe races!

Great to have him on board! Bob certainly completes the formidible Team Kruger.

Stan is attempting to run Wavey Rapids on the Missinaibi River in northern Ontario. He's in the back in the first picture and ready to catch the rescue rope in the second picture!

Stan Hanson (Team Captain & Road Support)

Stan hails from O'Fallon, Illinois and serves as Team Captain, chief cook and bottle washer and alternate paddler (If needed) for Team Kruger. He has been instrumental in coordinating the team as well as raising substantial donations so that Team Kruger will win in style!

Stan is USAF retired, enjoys deep wilderness canoeing, and golf "in his spare time". Stan is an official in this year's World Golf Championships in St. Louis, Missouri this year. Stan is married to Dana, his favorite wilderness partner, has 2 wonderful children.

Reason for competing in this event? Stan says it will keep him out of trouble and off the streets! Seriously, Stan wants to help Verlen and Bob not only win but set a New World Record while raising funds for the Rett Syndrome research by raising donations for the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation and the International Rett Syndrome Association Permanent Research Fund!

Stan first kayaked the Snake River in Tetons in 1963 and has been paddling ever since. He has rafted in Washington State and canoed in Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Canada, Illinois, Arkansas, and South Carolina.

Dana Hanson (Road Support)

Dana joined the team en route from the St. Louis area to Mile Marker 0. Shown here at St. Louis going over the maps. :-)

Dana had not originally planned to join Team Kruger, but decided last minute to jump on board! Much to Stan's relief Dana immediately took over the maps and charts... and wondered.. What have I gotten myself into? Special thanks to Dana for officially joining the team on a moments notice in St. Louis, for the duration of the journey!

Chuck Hasenkamp (Road Support)

Chuck will be pulling a travel trailer with supplies and beds
to be used as needed by the competitors.  Chuck promises to help with the cooking if the team can stand it and to do whatever else may be required to support the team.  In other words a "Gopher".... gopher this, gopher that!

Chuck is a young 56 and a 35 year employee of Pacific Gas and Electric company in California. He has worked in both gas and electric distribution construction activities in past years.  His current Job is Internal Information Technology Computer Client Support Analyst. 

Chuck enjoys small boats under sail and/or human power and MIG Welding for fun! He is currently building a huge Koi Pond and enjoys gardening and almost any outdoor activities, except organized sports involving balls. 

Chuck is a sworn "doityourselfer" and reports that he is quite handy with tools. Team Kruger is lucky to have him on board!

In addition to helping Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford win this race, Chuck hopes to meet some new friends and interesting people during this once in a lifetime charity event, learn valuable lessons about paddling on long trips, and is looking forward to seeing a new part of the country. 

He will also be picking up his Seawind he ordered that is currently under construction by Kruger boatworks. Chuck can be contacted at chasenkamp@jps.net

William "Mick" Wood (Road Support)

Mick is retired from the US Army and Mr. Mom to 7 and 15 year old boys, which is way more than a full time job in a geographically separated family. His wife's work has taken her to Washington DC.

Mick started paddling on his own at about eight years of age. He has paddled everything from Styrofoam planks, car hoods, 120# glass and wood canoes, hydroplanes (out of gas), catamarans (out of wind), to some of the best, most sea worthy and fastest canoes and kayaks made over the past 44 years!

Mick used to sell canoes and kayaks to support paddling opportunities for all the neighborhood kids. He canoes, accesses canoeing web sites and has planned a lot of trips in MI, WI, MN, BWCA, OT, PA, VA, and NC this year.

At least once a week he tries to escape to Verlen Kruger's shop where he helps build the very best expedition canoes and kayaks. Mick says he occasionally trade in wood and canvas canoes. He also help Steve Brown, a friend, build and restore wooden canoes. Mick sails cats and mono hulls from 10'4" to 28' in and around Michigan and the Great Lakes when he can!

Why is Mick getting involved in the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome? Mick says "Verlen Kruger is just about the nicest, most sincere and humblest man I have ever met. He has let me hang around and learn while I helped in his shop. After over 43 years of paddling he helped teach me the proper way to paddle. It makes paddling so easy it is a real thrill again. Distance, wind and current are no longer big obstacles. Verlen said he wanted to do the Mississippi for the record again, so after a little thought as to how I could help and still take care of my kids I am supporting him. I made some contacts, Stan Hanson took the helm and we have a real team! My accomplishment will be to support Team Kruger the best way I can! "

Jon on the Grand River in Michigan.

Standing - Jon Young (left) and Verlen Kruger (right) and Jon's new Sea Wind!

Jon Young (Road Crew)

Jon is from Adrian, Michigan and has been a recreational paddler most of his life!

Last summer he bought a Sea Wind from Verlen Kruger and was fortunate to be able to paddle with Verlen in the Grand River Expedition 2000 along with about 50 other people. Jon was in my brand new Sea Wind!

Jon claims that whenever he is around Verlen he feels like he is going to paddling school! There is so much to learn from Verlen's vast experiences.

Jon will do whatever he can to help Verlen and Bob in this worthy event!