I am an avid outdoorsman, FireFighter/EMT and expedition stand-up paddler, with over 7 years of paddling experience. Growing up on a farm in North Florida, I spent countless hours surfing, and exploring the many rivers of my home state, Florida . I’ve had extensive outdoor experience accompanied with considerable survival skills ascertained at a young age. I understand the expectations and drive needed of a professional athlete. This was acquired from my previous career as a bull rider on the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) circuits; at one point ranked as high as 28th in the world in the 2003 College National Finals Rodeo. My passion for backcountry SUP exploration led me to create SUP expedition classes in which I teach skills and safety measures vital for the expedition paddler then multi-day voyages are held to introduce students to the world of multi-day exploration aboard SUPs. My love for the sport and outdoors has inspired me and given me the opportunity to write articles and blogs about SUP and conservation of Florida’s natural environment. In 2014 I launched my website Gray Outdoors where I can share blogs, product reviews, photography and projects I am working on. My current project is called Fight to SOAR (Save Our American Rivers) its goal is to inspire stewardship and bring awareness to the country’s waterways through social media and sharing the expeditions documented via short films and photography.