BEN STOOKESBERRY

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2007 and 2016. 134 First descents in 32 countries. From waterfalls to the first single-day descent of the Middle Kings and Kings Canyon, to being in a Brazilian TV show, Ben Stookesberry has done it all. While the founder of "No Big Names" productions has undoubtedly become a big name himself over a two-decade career in whitewater, “Stookes" might still be one of the most underrated kayakers out there. Driven first and foremost by love for the river, Ben’s lack of ego and passion for adventure ensures he will be in the game for a long time to come.

Words: Anna Bruno

Kayak Session: You broke onto the scene with the video series No Big Names. What motivated your choice of title at the time? Ben Stookesberry: No Big Names was the name of the first few kayak videos Brent Buntyn, Eric Seymour, and I released. It was our reaction to a booming kayaking culture that was trying to emulate the ski industry by putting the biggest egos and names out in front of everything else in the sport. The way we saw it, kayaking should be about the rivers before the big egos that are photo-bombing images of the world’s most stunning natural venues. KS: It's ironic considering you have since become one of the biggest names in the game. Did you always aspire to recognition and exposure? BS: When we…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Fall 2019

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