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Carl
Johson (L) and Eric Kocher (R) pose for a picture
by the sign at the Headwaters of the Mississippi,
day before the race
At the start, L to R, Eric Kocher,
Carl Johnson
Paddling in MN, Eric Kocher back, Carl Johnson
forward.
Heading
towards the start the morning of the race! L
to R, Al Levine, Eric Kocher and Carl Johnson.
Race
craft was donated by Dagger, many thanks to
Dagger for supporting this team! This kayak
was sold by Carl Johnson after the race, and
all proceeds were donated to Rett syndrome research.
Portaging
with Team Double Helix, around a culvert - partially
pictured to the right... (Team Kruger is the
only team that went through this culvert, successfully
so we might add....)
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Carl
Johnson (NH) Paddler
& Support Crew
Carl
has been a water person all his life. Born in
Staten Island, he spent a lot of time at the
shore. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent 4
years doing underwater demolitions work in the
early 50's. He was a machinist much of his adult
life, until he found out about early retirement.
Then he moved to the great state of New Hampshire
with wife Christine Fleming and worked on the
ski patrol for Jackson Ski Touring and Great
Glen Trails. In
the summers, he patrolled the river for a few
years, keeping people safe and sound for the
Saco River Recreation Council.
He
and Christine have a fleet of six kayaks and
canoes and have paddled in the beautiful waters
of Belize, Baja, St. Croix, and Maine. A highlight
has to be a raft trip down the Colorado River
with Canyon Explorations/Expeditions.
Carl is looking forward to paddling the Mississippi
for a great cause!
Carl
Johson (L) and Eric Kocher (R) paddle hard -
some more!
Al
Levine (NY)
Paddler
& Support Crew
Al
has worked in the concept of security, including
installation and support for many major companies,
as well as small businesses.
On
a personal "hobby" note, Al is interested
in everything! He loves ice hockey, sailling,
photography, racquetball, surfing and rock climbing!
He has biked, roller skated, sailed, hang glided,
kayaked and ski jumped just about any place
you could name!
Al
also raises money each year for the Cancer Society
each year with an unusual self promoted event
- usually raising 8 to 9 thousand through each
fundraiser!
Carl Johnson (R) and Al Levine
(L) enjoy some lunch during a break.
Eric
Kocher (Georgia)
Paddler & Support
Crew
Eric
Kocher has been paddling canoes and kayaks,
on both whitewater and flatwater, for over twenty
years.
Eric and his two sons, Nick and Chtristopher,
have been paddling the length of the Chattachoochee
River ( which runs from the Georgia Mountains
to the Gulf of Mexico) in stages. They recently
passed the half way mark at Columbus, Georgia.
Eric's wife, Kathryn Legan, has been both understanding
and supportive of his paddling adventures.
Eric
is a public interest attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
providing legal representation to the homeless.
He is looking forward to joining the other paddlers
in this great endeavor.
Eric
Kocher went to shake hands with Gov. Jesse Ventura
during the race, at a nearby airport. Gov. Ventura
had written a nice letter of support for the
race.
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