Pat Keller
Nickname: haha, well "Pat" makes it pretty easy, but my most recent was 'slow pat' from the boys up at the ski area...I guess they noticed that I don't tend to go all that slow when I'm outside playing...
DOB: 6/6/1986
State/Hometown: Asheville, NC
Favorite place to paddle/favorite drop: Rivers provide too many variations to easily pick just one favorite, but if I had to pick just one rapid it would be Chuck Kern Falls (aka Scott Lingren's rapid) on the Royal Gorge North Fork American...its a massive rapid with three crux parts, the top falls is about 45 feet and twists violently to the paddler's left. Upon landing, you have about three strokes to set up for the 2nd crux, where one has to punch through a large hole driving right, which leads you into the third crux, a gnarly exploding 35 footer. Hugely impressive rapid way out in the middle of nowhere. The day that I ran that was probably the best I've ever felt in a kayak.
About Me: I graduated last May with a degree in health and wellness promotions. My wilderness first responder certification has probably run out, but I try and keep up on any safety issues that may pop up when you least expect it. I'm a lover of being outside, and when given the option, I would always rather be kayaking some cool river or snowboarding down a classic run. I'm not a detail-oriented person unless I'm really interested. I'm an audio/visual person, so the best way for me to learn something new is to watch videos of the best in the world doing what they do to great music. Later I'll go back and download those songs so those visual lessons stay with me and are available to my mind anytime I listen to that particular song.
Playboat: Dagger RPM! bringing back the old school cartwheel and pirouette! - nope, not kidding.
Creekboat: Dagger Nomad 8.5 - anytime - any situation. Racing - Dagger Green Boat
Favorite Move: the "Flying DeLaVergne" - to do this one must lean waaaay over onto your boof stroke, thus allowing your paddle blade to be the axis of rotation for the boof. This move is best used in situations where the boof rock is slanted particularly far and hard to boof off of normally, or in curler boof situations.
Favorite Music: Right now I've been rocking out to Chevelle's new album Sci-Fi Crimes and Kid Cudie's album Man on the Moon. But a little Metallica is never a bad thing.
Must-Have Accessory: Throw Rope... always... always.
Other Hobbies/Activities: Snowboarding, mountain biking, scouting, bushwhacking, freestyle walking (just kidding)
Professional Accomplishments: 2 time Green Race Winner - winning both Long and Short Boat categories in 2006. Successful Runs to be proud of: Toxaway Falls (Toxaway River, NC), Looking Glass Falls (Looking Glass Creek, NC), Chuck Kern Falls (Royal Gorge N F American, CA), Tenaya Falls (Tenaya creek, CA), Desoto Falls...both runs (Desoto Creek, AL), La Paz Falls (Vera Blanca, Costa Rica), the Mangler Rapid (Raven Fork, NC) Graceland Slide (West Cherry Creek, CA) Koosah Falls...my first run (McKenzie River, OR at age 16) ... second run of Koosah I landed on my head and broke my thumb.
Why you love kayaking: So much variation in what the water does, one is always learning. Kayaking also brings in the best personalities and friends that will dedicate their lives to the same persuit of fun. When things go haywire, I know these people will do anything to save me, as I will gladly do for them. Best friends and aesthetic movements!
