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.