Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
I am sad to report the passing of BueJay (aka Thad Rice) while doing the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge 2018. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Thad's family, wife Jennifer, and his many friends.
We don't know the details yet, and my information is second and third hand. He was found on land near his boat. No distress signals were sent. I will provide details when I can.
PaddleDancer
Member
First of all, my apologies for referring to our late BlueJay’s wife as girlfriend. My mistake.
The following was posted by Florida Bay Outfitters in Key Largo:
“Thad’s wife shared this selfie which he took two weeks ago on a paddle after work. The accompanying text said, “this is where I belong.”
We learned today that Thaddeus died from a heart attack. Knowing that he had set up three methods of getting back into his boat, she believes he was unconscious. Since we will never know, we are going with that, hoping his passing was quick and without suffering.
Jen has decided that a celebration of life would be nice while her family is with her from Indiana so we are planning for a sunset gathering on Saturday at 5:00 followed by a paddle for those of you who want to honor Thad where he lived and died, where he was most happy, on the water. An event will be posted on Facebook tomorrow.
The staff at FBO”
Cwolfe
Member
Horrible saddness regarding Thaddeus. My condolences go out to the family.
I will use this as somewhat of a PSA. Although, coronary artery disease is the major cause of death in men and women in the US, and may indeed be the cause of the loss of Bluejay, I think another possiblity would be a massive pulmonary emboli. Without a postmorteum, it would be difficult to be sure.
I have long worried about deep venous thombosis and pulmonary emboli in long distance boating. Being both a Krugerhead and a kayaker, the Krugers seem to worry me more in that regard because of the possibility of using a technique that minimizes leg movement and foot pumping. I say this as a reminder to all boaters to keep those legs moving and to get off your boat frequently to stretch those legs. I know this goes against the stay in your boat mantra, which is the key to speed in the EC, but at least figure out a way to use a bicyling like technique so that the blood in your legs does not stagnate and be prone to clotting.
I again am very saddened by the the loss of BlueJay. I wish I was down in the Keys now as part of the tribe and to add to the celebration of his life. Thinking of you all.
Cwolfe
QuincyBoy
Member
Thad aka Bluejay was one great friend on the water to me and many other visitors to Key Largo over the years. As I got to know him better he showed me his home waters on many occasions and helped my own efforts to get on the beach for the EC 2015 and 2016. I was unable to finish those races in Key Largo but have kept up my friendship with him since and it was only due to wrong days off from work that we were unable to get out to Nest Key together last time I was in Key Largo. Micro Tom and I were talking about Bluejay then and sharing our mutual high regard for his spirit and pluck. Rest in Peace Thaddeus. I am flying down from Oregon on a redeye tomorrow night to retrieve his Kruger up in Venice and bring it to his wife. May want to look for space in the house to put my thermarest before I leave on Monday since Pelican is full due to the race. I would encourage Tribers to attend the sunset memoral and paddle on Saturday if they can. Quincyboy
Morsailesed
Member
Very sad news... It was heartening to read about Bluejay's recent post where he described that "on the water in his boat was where he belonged". I agree 100% with his sentiment and hope that thought brought him peace in his final moments. You never know what's around the next corner and you'll never find out if you don't keep going. RIP Bluejay. May your spirit live on in those who share your passion..
JoeWildlife
Member
QuincyBoy, thank you for your comments. I regret that I never knew Thad even though we were in the same place same time on a couple instances and he is also a Kruger paddler. I'm sorry for the loss.
CWolfe, thank you for your PSA. Your medical input to the WT has and will continue to help prevent sickness and save lives of the members. My personal RN has reminded me of the dangers of PE but I probably have not taken the risk seriously enough in the past. Fortunately, my ache and pain strategy in these events usually involve a couple of Exedrin in the evening (which contain aspirin, as you know), which may help reduce the risk. Nonetheless, more leg movement is warranted during those marathon stay in the boat sessions that invariably occur.
Joe
DolphinGal
Member
God speed and smooth sailing, BlueJay! May your family and friends find peace in the coming days.
It took me a few days to wrap my head around this. I know heart attacks can happen to any one at any age, but he was so young.. Thad was our (H2OWoman and myself) beach buddy - the boat on the beach to his left was our tandem. We all chatted for quite a while loading our boats. I ribbed him that I wanted his SeaWind because of the way-cool Polynesian-style line drawing turtle decals that adorned his boat. Second only to dolphins, they are my favorite creature. H2OWoman and he chatted about him doing support for a swim event she was doing in the Keys later this spring. What a super-nice, happy, and uplifting person.. Told him I would check his progress down the course and cheer him in at the finish. I will miss not being able to get to know him better. Again, my condolences to his family.
DolphinGal
BlueJay
Member
Hello, I am Jennifer Cripe, Thad Rice’s wife. Thad always enjoyed being on the water. He had sailboats before he got into paddling. Once he got into paddling, the sailboats got used less. He found his bliss in paddling.
Thad was honored to be a part of WaterTribe. He started doing challenges in Maryland with the Okoume Fest challenge on the Chesapeake Bay in 2013 and 2014. He also enjoyed participating in the NC Pamlico Challenge in 2013, 2015 and 2016. His favorite was the Everglades Challenge. He participated in the EC in 2013 and 2015, then in 2016 he successfully completed the EC. He was so happy to finish right here with Sandy bottoms and Micro Tom after a long rough night on Florida Bay.
When we moved here to Key Largo, Thad found not only his home, but a place to belong and paddle. When we had to evacuate for hurricane Irma he made sure that his WaterTribe finisher paddles and shark tooth were packed for evacuation and he made sure they were safely brought back home.
The week before the start of the EC, Thad attended the Florida Gulf Coast International Sea Kayak Symposium where he refined his rolling skills, long boat surfing and level 3 SUP skills. Thad was ready for this year’s EC. The day before he left for the EC, I told him how I worry about him during these challenges. He told me about all his safety equipment and procedures. He explained that he had 2 GPS devices and a spot in the boat, in addition to an EPIRB and flares in his life vest. He had air bags in his boat for additional floatation for if he fell out. He even described 3 different ways that he would get back into the boat, a cowboy shuffle, a stirrup and using a paddle float. He said even if he got separated from his boat, he had survival gear on him. Then he ended the conversion with and if I die, then I will have died doing what I love. Last Saturday night, Thad had a heart attack and died doing what he loved. I loved him deeply and I know that he will be profoundly missed by many. So, for Thad and for me, I ask you to paddle all over that big beautiful ocean and keep doing what you love. Paddle on.
BlueJay
Member
This is Jennifer Cripe, wife of BlueJay. I wanted to give a special thank you to PaddleDancer for her support during this difficult time. I also wanted to thank Chief and everyone that attended the Thad Rice Celebration of Life memorial at Florida Bay Outfitters on 3/10/18. I was truly honored to have so many paddlers for the sunset paddle. I wanted to thank Team Kruger for bringing their boats and participating in the paddle. Thad loved his Kruger Sea Wind and was flattered to be a part of Team Kruger. Thank you to everyone for their kind words and condolences. Pictures of the memorial can be viewed on Thaddeus Rice’s Facebook page. In memory of Thad, paddle on.
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