Wesley’s Wild World of Kayaking w/ the Jackson Action Wagon (J.A.W.)

Greetings! Thanks for visiting my blog and Bio page. Please allow me a moment to introduce myself:

My name is Wesley R. Bradley (A.K.A. wildwildwes - BT and WK Handle). I live in Elizabethton, TN of the good ole U.S. of A. I have lived here my whole life. I went to school in the Happy Valley School system - Elementary through High School (Class of 1999). I attended College at Northeast State (Class of 2001) and East Tennessee State University (Class of 2004). I have an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Drafting Design Technology and Bachelor of Science in Digital Media with an emphasis in Architectural Design Graphics. I am currently employed by Design Build Construction, LLC as an Architectural designer. I love my job!

I was very active in the Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting program in my youth with my dad as an adult leader. I am an Eagle Scout. I am still a registered leader with my home troop today. I credit the Scouting Program for many of the skills that I use on a day to day basis. I am also a member of First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton, TN. I have been an active member in this church since I was born. I love my church family!

I love the great outdoors! I have many outdoor related hobbies, which include: mountain biking, road biking, alpine skiing, hiking, camping, backpacking, mountaineering, whitewater rafting, and of course whitewater kayaking! Whitewater kayaking is my favorite hobby!! I learned to paddle when I was 12-13 years old @ Buffalo Mountain Camp on the lower Nolichucky River and the Nantahala River.

I returned to the sport in the year of 2000, when I had enough money saved up to purchase the equipment and a car to haul the stuff around. I quickly became enamored with the sport and could not get enough of it, while in college. I had a rather slow progression, due to the lack of paddling buddies and safety concerns. My top priorities in my paddling life is safety first and fellowship with other paddlers. I just love to get out on the river!

I am a confident class III-IV whitewater boater. I have aspirations to keep progressing in my skill level to become a class V boater, but that is in due time with no hurry. Safety First! I also enjoy educating others on the great sport of whitewater kayaking. I like Creeking, Playing and River Running. Creeking and River Running are my favorite aspects of the sport. I love to run waterfalls! Some of my favorite runs include: the Nolichucky Gorge, the Doe, Wilson Creek, Little River in the Smokies, Tremont in the Smokies, Lower Gauley, and Whitetop Laurel. I am always up for something new that is within my skill level!

I have been very fortunate to team up with Jackson Kayak since November of 2006. I am a volunteer ambassador for them and they supply me with a demo fleet of boats for people to try out in my region. Check out the J.A.W. page on my blog for more details…

Through my affiliations with Jackson Kayak, I have also become the World Kayak Ambassador for the Tri-Cities Region. I have been serving in this position since April of 2007. My duties include posting regional news and events for the Tri-Cities Region on the World Kayak Web Site. I also help organize and coordinate events sponsored by World Kayak.

I am a member of the following paddling clubs and/or organizations: