Team Speedboard Ads New Athlete Chris Gragtmans

Global Partner

Chris Gragtmans

Bio

Age:                27

Hometown:   Asheville, NC

Profession:   Professional Athlete, Dagger Kayaks Pro Team Manager, Contributing  Editor (Blue Ridge Outdoors), Canoe & Kayak, Rapid, SUPtheMag), Small Business Owner (TerraVida Threads)

Sports:  Pro Whitewater Kayak/SUP, Am DH Mountain Bike/Ski/Sail/Hockey/CrossFit/Krav Maga

Sponsors:  Speedboard SUP, Dagger Kayaks, Chaco Footwear, Adventure Technology Paddles, Shred Ready Helmets, Astral Buoyancy, Immersion Research

What is your athletic/outdoor background?

I have always wanted to be a water athlete.  I grew up sailing, windsurfing, rowing, swimming, and anything else I could get my hands on.  When I was 11 I got my first taste of whitewater kayaking, and everything changed from there.  I am fortunate to now make a living as a professional kayaker.  I have been Canadian Junior Freestyle Champion two times, compete alongside the best athletes in the world regularly, completed 70+ foot waterfall first descents, paddled with Monitor lizards and Jamison Mambas in the Nile, and circumnavigated Manhattan Island at night.