Professor Paddle: R.I.P. Tom Love vanlinelogistics.com Seattle Washington (WA) Warehousing & Order Fulfillment vanlinelogistics.com Seattle Washington (WA) Warehousing & Order Fulfillment vanlinelogistics.com Seattle Washington (WA) Commercial Relocation vanlinelogistics.com Warehousing & Order Fulfillment
Professor Paddle Professor Paddle
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
Home Calendar Forum FSBO Gallery PPages Reviews Rivers Links
  Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  Search The ForumSearch
Whitewater Forum
 Professor Paddle : General : Whitewater Forum
Message Icon Topic: R.I.P. Tom Love Post Reply Post New Topic
Author Message
jP
Rio Banditos
Rio Banditos
Avatar
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !

Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4404
  Quote jP Replybullet Topic: R.I.P. Tom Love
    Posted: 22 Jun 2020 at 5:34pm
I just received sad news from some of Tom's friends that he passed away today. For those who haven't heard the name, Tom Love is the inventor of the "Shredder" (the bad-ass R2 boat that's been ripped off by many raft manufacturers). Known for being lightweight and very packable when deflated, The (one and only) Shredder helped revolutionize and pave the way for steep creek rafting.

Tom was a character- I'm typing this off the cuff because I just heard the news. Not sure of his exact age, he was in his seventies. He was an early pioneer of the Upper Yough, and part of the vanguard and nucleus of the scene that later developed there as it flourishes to this day.

He never really had much of a kayak roll, but by no means did that stop him from those early Upper Yough days and even in recent years he would take a kayak out for moonlight runs on the lower yough ect.

An insightful mystic that I'll loosely characterize as perhaps some combo of Kieth Richards and Hunter S Thompson (he inspired me greatly with his river philosophy and knowledge.

Unless you've boated in the east you may have never heard of him, or maybe have yet to see one of his legendary boats, but we are all Boofing Off The Shoulders of Giants and this sport has always had amnesia with regards to its rich history. Tom Love is a great example of those few innovators from our sport's history who essentially paved the way for the rest of us to follow. They Invented stuff in their back woods garages that still influences much of what we do out there today.

Give props to your Whitewater Elders, because more and more of them are heading to the put-in for the River Styx. Especially those who contributed to the cornerstones of Whitewater's Golden Age. Whose ripples are still felt upon the rivers of the world.
🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋
IP IP Logged Send Private Message Send Private Message
Jed Hawkes
Rio Banditos
Rio Banditos
Avatar

Joined: 24 Aug 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 814
  Quote Jed Hawkes Replybullet Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 8:45am
A whitewater Pioneer. He will be missed but his legacy lives on in the many paddlecat designs out there.
The line will become apparent
978-273-7723
IP IP Logged Send Private Message
James
Admin
Admin
Avatar
Sum Dum Guy

Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3595
  Quote James Replybullet Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 11:28am
Having been rather disconnected from the community as of late it is sad to hear about founding / heritage level folks moving on to the next level. It does offer a good reminder to consider those whose passion effected our lives knowing and unknowingly.

JP clear your Private Messages, trying to hit ya up!
IP IP Logged Send Private Message Send Private Message
Slackkinhard
McNasty
McNasty
Avatar

Joined: 23 Sep 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 268
  Quote Slackkinhard Replybullet Posted: 17 Jul 2020 at 10:13am
Thanks JP.
IP IP Logged Send Private Message
Post Reply Post New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum