John completed his trip on October 13th, 2018 in Astoria Oregon.

Would your group like an exciting presentation of my 2018 Columbia River Source to Sea Kayak Adventure?

I am available from November 2018 to May 2019 to give a video presentation of the trip and answer questions from your group

This presentation has been well received by other groups like yours.

My presentation can be from 15 – 30 minutes followed by questions. I can also tailor the presentation to your group.

Please contact me by emal: jkuntz@kayakproshop.com

Presentation Sample Overview:

Take a break from the holiday rush and join us for an evening of classic paddling adventure. This past August John Kuntz, modern day voyageur, embarked on a mostly solo kayak  trip, paddling  the entirety of the Columbia river, all 1250 miles. Hear his story in words and video of high adventure as he runs whitewater rapids in the steep walled Red Grave canyon, dodging lightning strikes and forest fires, long open water paddles among some of the most spectacular and varied scenery on the planet, portaging around 14 dams, enduring a 5 mile hike with kayak around the USA border, and sharing his adventure along the way in the  classrooms of a suburban Chicago school  through video conferencing. There will be something for everyone in this presentation..........

We invite you to come to his presentation on ???, at the ???

Purpose of Trip:

In August of , 2018 John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center, paddled the entire length, 1250 miles of the Columbia river from source to sea in honor of Erica Reith (Eri), (a young person whom tragically lost her life at the age of 19) and in the name of teaching youth the art of adventure. In life we have a chance to pay it forward and that is my goal, to let youth know there is more to life than the world that they know. That it is OK to take risks safely to gain the reward of a life time. Eri was a beautiful person that loved the outdoors and helping others, In her honor I am dedicating this paddle so that others may follow, because LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE that we must teach our youth. You can support this effort by participating in the following:

Follow, Participate, Communicate, Support The Adventure

*  Teachers Get Your Class Involved Today.

Class Adventure Curriculum. Are you a teacher that would be interested in having this adventure in your classroom? Please contact the teachers below for more information.

Teacher Click Here To Go to Adventure Curriculum Site.

          Matt Kuntz, Gifted Program, mkuntz@op97.org

          Diane Conmy (Erica's Mom) , 3rd grade, dconmy@op97.org

Matt Kuntz talks to teacher Jennifer COx from Golden BC, her class is using the adventure curriculum and folling the trip:

 Click Here for 2 minute Video

*  Buy a T-shirt, Support The Project

to support Project: Take Eri on your next adventure and post yourself wearing it. Let us know what adventure is to you and share it with young people. Let the adventures begin. Order Tshirts to Support the ERI Adventure Project.

Who was Erica Reith?

Articles about Erica from Newspapers and Friends:

Chicago Tribune:     Class of 2002 Oak Park graduate

Oak Park Illinois:     OP has helped Eri's legacy thrive

Other:

Newspapers and social media contacts?

Would your community like to interact with John. I am available to talk to local news, blog and phone updates, and especially talk to youth about the adventure. Contact me 1 (360) 471-0836, jkuntz@kayakproshop.com, or through social media, I will do my best to accommodate your requests.

Newspaper Stories:

Kankakee Daily Journal News Stories:

• Kuntz to kayak 1,250 miles for Erica
• Kankakee native nears end of 1,250-mile kayak trip
• Kuntz completes 1,250-mile kayak trip

Kitsap Daily News Stories:

Click Here For John's Paddling Schedule

Click Here For John's Bio

Click Here For Photo's of John and Trip

John's Past Columbia Trips:

John has paddled the Columbia twice before and in 2015 he came up with the idea to paddle the Columbia river, just portions of the river, not the whole 1250 miles of the river that today may be as pristine as when man first discovered it or as much as I could find. I pictured this as FUN and exciting as just a handful of people try this each year.

View John's Youtube videos of past explorations:

Johns 2017 Columbia River Trip

I made a trip in 2017 of 250 miles from Revelstoke BC to Kettle Falls, WA and have documented it some YouTube videos that will give you an idea of the experience. Click Here.

Johns 2016 Columbia River Trip

I made a trip in 2016 of 200 miles from Golden BC to Revelstoke BC. Click Here.