Ben Stookesberry

Let me introduce Team Jackson Kayak member Ben Stookesberry, watch him and you'll see creeking and expedition kayaking as it moves to the next level!

Not all kayakers are created equal. Ben is a special paddler and leader that follows the "leave the world a better place" motto in ways that will make paddling more fun for all of us. First off, Ben is pushing the boundaries in paddling by seeking out new unexplored locations for kayaking that push the boundaries of navigable water. In the process, one of his goals is to raise awareness and generate support for the protection of these and other rivers. Ben is one person who is capable of making this plan work out, and Jackson Kayak is here to support him in his quest.

The other awesome part of having Ben out there paddling Jackson Kayak boats in the hardest waters you will ever see a kayak is that his input and testing of the Rocker and Mega Rocker will assure that your Jackson Kayak creekboat is ready for anything you can throw at it and more. Ben is now the first person to break a Rocker and that is a new record in itself!

How will you see Ben in action? Clear H2O films, which is Ben Skookesberry (founding member of the No Big Names series) and Jesse Coombs, is going to continue to produce the next generation of films featuring their upcoming expeditions and exploits.Jackson Kayak is proud to support both Clear H2O and the individuals behind it, knowing that by doing so, we will be helping them "leave the world a better place".

In Ben's words (he is too modest to brag, so you won't really get all of his accomplishments from him)

Kayaking is a one of a kind medium for experiencing some of the last untouched places on the planet.

After meeting up with the Jackson crew at the Reno River Fest, I was sold on their vision. I found out that EJ was intent on producing a bench mark in the creeking/ river running catagory and I wanted to be apart of that. As the founder and owner, EJ is intimitly intune with every aspect of his boats and the creation of his creek boats is no exception. At first glance the Rocker seems like a descent enough design, but one look at the interior tells the real tale. EJ has invented and incorporated the best safty features I have seen. For example a 3/4 inch blow molded tension rod makes the Jacksons the stiffest boats on the market end to end. To sum up, EJ intends to make the best kayaks on the market and I would be silly not to jump at the chance to use them.

I want to take the Jackson brand and ethic to far ends of the earth in search of the next great river. I believe that kayaking brings with it such a strong and positive ethic, in that hightening awarness of these special places is a small step towards protecting them. I would also like to take that a step further by raising money for the areas where I paddle for education, river cleanup, and preservation.

It was unbelievable to be a part of the No Big Names series. These are my boyz and girls and they are some of the best paddlers and funniest characters on the planet.

Also in 2005 myself, Silvio Guerreri, and Pato Valsechi made the first Complete descent of Argentina's Rio Tunuyan. This was a 50 mile run dropping 7000 feet through the deepest canyon that I have ever run (11,000 feet deep).