Willie Kern

Hometown: Homeless

Sponsors: Patagonia

Favorite River: When I experience them all I will pick one

Biography:

A self-proclaimed river runner respected by generations of paddlers, Willie is recognized internationally as the voice of communication and safety on the river. He's a boater who finds great pleasure in the complete descent, and supports his river-led evolution through life by guiding, teaching and consulting. Willie has pioneered many notable descents throughout North and Central America, Europe and the Himalaya, including a first descent down Tibet's Yarlung Tsangpo. While the redheaded twin would claim that his heart remains in residence in Moscow, Vermont, his latest adventure has him working with The Nature Conservancy on a massive conservation initiative in NW Yunnan, China. He is helping TNC assess the potential for cultivating a robust and sustainable river industry as an alternative to otherwise ecologically destructive development plans in one of the poorest economic, yet biologically rich, provinces in China.

AW Testimonial: Whitewater has been a huge part of my life since childhood…to protect, preserve, and restore those resources I support American Whitewater