John Kuntz

John Kuntz is an American expedition paddler, outdoor educator, author, and founder of Olympic Outdoor Center in Washington State. He is best known for completing long-distance paddle expeditions throughout the Columbia River Basin.

In 2025, John completed a 1,000-mile, 56-day kayak expedition down the Snake River from Yellowstone National Park to the Columbia River, traveling mostly solo and documenting twenty dam portages, Class IV whitewater, and extensive river hazards. This journey completed his Columbia River Grand Slam — paddling all four major tributaries of the Columbia River (Main Columbia(2018), Kootenay(2022), Pend Oreille(2023), and Snake(2025)).

John is also a co-founder of the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trail and has over four decades of experience in outdoor education, paddle sports instruction, and expedition planning. His work focuses on river navigation, public access, environmental change, and aging through adventure.

He is currently completing The Snake River: Yellowstone to the Columbia, a comprehensive paddler’s guide and narrative account of his 2025 expedition.