Team Kruger
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
Team Kruger, led by the renowned Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford, placed first in their specialized canoe at 24 days, 17 hours, 51 minutes.
Verlen Kruger built this magnificent, winning canoe for this race. Please see Kruger Canoes for more information.
Quick Facts:Both Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford have substantial long distance race awards! Verlen set a previous word record for the entire Missisippi River with Valeria Fons in 1984.
Distance Goal: Entire length of the Mississippi River
Type of Team: 2 primary paddlers
More Info: For more information on Verlen Kruger, please see: Kruger Canoes Website
(has information on Verlen & his World Records)
Team says: Families with children with Rett syndrome who live in Michigan and/or the St. Louis, Missouri area are welcomed and encouraged to contact this team!
Verlen Kruger built this magnificent, winning canoe for this race. Please see Kruger Canoes for more information.
Quick Facts:Both Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford have substantial long distance race awards! Verlen set a previous word record for the entire Missisippi River with Valeria Fons in 1984.
Distance Goal: Entire length of the Mississippi River
Type of Team: 2 primary paddlers
More Info: For more information on Verlen Kruger, please see: Kruger Canoes Website
(has information on Verlen & his World Records)
Team says: Families with children with Rett syndrome who live in Michigan and/or the St. Louis, Missouri area are welcomed and encouraged to contact this team!
William "Mick" Wood (Road Support)
Mick is retired from the US Army and Mr. Mom to 7 and 15 year old boys, which is way more than a full time job in a geographically separated family. His wife's work has taken her to Washington DC.
Mick started paddling on his own at about eight years of age. He has paddled everything from Styrofoam planks, car hoods, 120# glass and wood canoes, hydroplanes (out of gas), catamarans (out of wind), to some of the best, most sea worthy and fastest canoes and kayaks made over the past 44 years!
Mick used to sell canoes and kayaks to support paddling opportunities for all the neighborhood kids. He canoes, accesses canoeing web sites and has planned a lot of trips in MI, WI, MN, BWCA, OT, PA, VA, and NC this year.
At least once a week he tries to escape to Verlen Kruger's shop where he helps build the very best expedition canoes and kayaks. Mick says he occasionally trade in wood and canvas canoes. He also help Steve Brown, a friend, build and restore wooden canoes. Mick sails cats and mono hulls from 10'4" to 28' in and around Michigan and the Great Lakes when he can!
Why is Mick getting involved in the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome? Mick says "Verlen Kruger is just about the nicest, most sincere and humblest man I have ever met. He has let me hang around and learn while I helped in his shop. After over 43 years of paddling he helped teach me the proper way to paddle. It makes paddling so easy it is a real thrill again. Distance, wind and current are no longer big obstacles. Verlen said he wanted to do the Mississippi for the record again, so after a little thought as to how I could help and still take care of my kids I am supporting him. I made some contacts, Stan Hanson took the helm and we have a real team! My accomplishment will be to support Team Kruger the best way I can!
Mick is retired from the US Army and Mr. Mom to 7 and 15 year old boys, which is way more than a full time job in a geographically separated family. His wife's work has taken her to Washington DC.
Mick started paddling on his own at about eight years of age. He has paddled everything from Styrofoam planks, car hoods, 120# glass and wood canoes, hydroplanes (out of gas), catamarans (out of wind), to some of the best, most sea worthy and fastest canoes and kayaks made over the past 44 years!
Mick used to sell canoes and kayaks to support paddling opportunities for all the neighborhood kids. He canoes, accesses canoeing web sites and has planned a lot of trips in MI, WI, MN, BWCA, OT, PA, VA, and NC this year.
At least once a week he tries to escape to Verlen Kruger's shop where he helps build the very best expedition canoes and kayaks. Mick says he occasionally trade in wood and canvas canoes. He also help Steve Brown, a friend, build and restore wooden canoes. Mick sails cats and mono hulls from 10'4" to 28' in and around Michigan and the Great Lakes when he can!
Why is Mick getting involved in the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome? Mick says "Verlen Kruger is just about the nicest, most sincere and humblest man I have ever met. He has let me hang around and learn while I helped in his shop. After over 43 years of paddling he helped teach me the proper way to paddle. It makes paddling so easy it is a real thrill again. Distance, wind and current are no longer big obstacles. Verlen said he wanted to do the Mississippi for the record again, so after a little thought as to how I could help and still take care of my kids I am supporting him. I made some contacts, Stan Hanson took the helm and we have a real team! My accomplishment will be to support Team Kruger the best way I can!
Additional assistance from.....
Please note we list all Team members who signed an "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver was required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event. See Rules for more information.
Please note each team was required to donate or raise donations of $2500 per team to participate in this event.
Please note each team was required to donate or raise donations of $2500 per team to participate in this event.