Team River Runner back in Colorado for the second year!

By Ben Guska

Well with long planning after the successful trip of 2006, Team River Runner is heading back to Colorado the day after Fibark. For those who aren’t familiar with Team River Runner (TRR), established in August 2004 by kayakers in the Washington, DC area, is an all-volunteer organization run by a council of kayakers and overseen by a board of directors. Working in partnership with The Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, TRR helps veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) find health, healing, and new challenges through whitewater boating on the Potomac River and beyond. (www.teamriverrunner.org).

This will be the second year I have been able to help out with the group in Colorado. Rumor has it that this year the group size has doubled from 20 people to over 40. Our first stop is here in Salida. The Arkansas River allows ease of access, combined with different ranges of difficulty, which only makes a perfect combination four our group. On the following Wednesday we will be heading to my hometown again, Glenwood Springs Colorado. Here we have the mighty Colorado River which cuts through the Glenwood canyon and meets the Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs. This offers really warm water, easy access and some of the most beautiful views in CO!

Come Friday the 22nd I have been asked to give a presentation to the Glenwood Springs Rotary Club on the group. I’m teaming up with Jason Beakes, and a few of our Soldier/paddlers to give the presentation. After that the group will start wrapping things up as the weekend ends.

For more information, feel free to check out http://www.teamriverrunner.org Or you can email me direct at benguska@hotmail.com.

See you on the river