Name: Jesse Coombs

Birthday: August 18, 1990

Home: Corvallis Oregon

Favorite Shred Ready helmet and color: Shaggy, Silver Metal Flake is the ONLY way to go

Website/ Links to Video/Photos: jessecoombs.com. oregonkayaking.net, clearh2ofilms.com, jacksonkayak.com

Describe the time you were most glad that you were wearing your helmet.
I was in Newfoundland this past fall and hit rock part way down a 40’ falls. I broke my hand and tore my dry top and broke my helmet. I am glad the helmet broke, because that means it took the energy of the hit and didn’t jar my head as much. Despite the hardest his I have ever taken in kayaking by a long shot, I had NO symptoms of a concussion or headache. Very impressive!

What person do you respect the most? Who is your hero?
My hero and the person I respect the most is my sister. She does it all. She is a partner in a major Philadelphia law firm, mother of four truly great and successful children (one of which is studying Aerospace Engineering), ice hockey player and a great wife. Truly an inspiration to me with tireless energy.

Who on the Shred Ready team do you most admire and why?
Andrew Holcombe, because he does such a great job of being a great paddler and a great person.

What movies/books/comics/TV shows, etc are you into right now?
I don’t watch movies or TV, because I have too much fun living my life to watch someone else live theirs. I like reading biography books to learn what leaders have done, and I would like to spend more time playing guitar.

What are you listening to these days?
I listen a lot to Pandora because it introduces me to new music. When I want to get amped up, I like Disturbed style music. When I want to relax and work, I like Ben Harper / Ray LaMontangne style music.

What was the best concert you attended?
Flock of Seagulls ?

What are some things that motivate you?
I am motivated by doing something great in my life. I am motivated about trying things that are so challenging they seem daunting. I am motivated to help kids stay away from drugs. I am motivated to be a better person. I am motivated to truly achieve more than I thought possible and keep my ego firmly planted with my feet.

What sports do you enjoy watching or participating in besides your main sport?
I played ice hockey in college, so that will always be my first love. I also LOVE mountain biking and rock climbing. I really enjoy back country skiing and snowboarding as nothing is more quiet or closer to nature.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had while participating in your sport?
The most fun I have ever had has always occurred laughing with friends on the river. Dunbar Hardy and I laughed so hard I practically rolled over in the water my stomach hurt so bad from laughing. And winning two ice hockey championships in college was the most exhilarated I have ever been from sports. Better than romance! ?

What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on?
Santo Domingo River, Chiapas, Mexico. Ben Stookesberry and I ran the first descent of a section of river that was over 2,200 feet per mile gradient. And the setting was other-worldly. To be the first people to paddle this majestic river was surreal.

What goals are you working towards right now?
My goals are very personal. But I will say that I honestly strive to improve in every aspect of my life. And there is an under-lying goal to have a happy, healthy and beautiful family.

When people look at your life, how would you like to be remembered?
For me, I don’t want to think about how I would like to be remembered. I want to live my life knowing that I am doing everything for the right reason, and the rest will take care of itself. Most importantly I want to take care of myself, my family and my friends.

What do you view as your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment has been different for different aspects of my life. I am very proud of the things I have accomplished in each aspect. But if one accomplishment had to be higher than the others, I would say it is being a good family member. My family is the most important thing to me (even though I don’t see them as much as I would like), and they are the one soft spot that makes me emotional.

What advice do you have for other people coming up in your sport?
My advice is to do kayaking because it puts a smile on your face, and for no other reason. That is the only criteria that will be sustainable and healthy. And if you want to improve paddle absolutely every chance you get. Kayaking becomes a way of life, and it takes you to places you would have never seen otherwise. Be a good person, and you will get that back in spades.

One sentence that describes your life:
Wake up when I want; no boss; no job; decide what I want to do for the day; exercise every day; check on my real estate investments; get paid to kayak; enjoy my evening; repeat the next day…. When people ask my how I am doing, my answer is almost always ‘So good it is scandalous.’

Duran Duran, Tear for Fears, Hall and Oates, or Cindy Lauper? Why?
Great question: Oingo Boingo…much better party band from the same era.

Why are athlete bios always so lame?
The same reasons that interviews are usually so bland. It is easy to ask the easy questions. It is hard to learn something about someone that is unique and everyone can relate to at the same time. That being said, this is one of the more creative bios I have ever filled out.

I can’t wait to laugh with you on the river.

Best

Jesse