On July 3rd, 2009, my friend, Belton Dykes, died while paddling at Stone Mountain lake in metro-Atlanta. As he had done so hundreds of times, he was fitness paddling in the wood sea kayak that he built himself. It was a typically hot, summer day and lake conditions were calm. As with most fitness paddlers and racers, he chose not to wear his life vest. I’m sure the calm conditions, hot day and familiarity with his surroundings lulled him into a sense of safety. At 68, Belton was a fit, athletic man that had led a life of adventure and outdoor pursuits. After his death, we learned that Belton recently was diagnosed with having a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or commonly known as a mini-stroke.

I can only speculate that on this hot July day Belton had finished his fitness paddle routine of going hard for 3-6 miles and was cooling down. Witnesses report that he flipped only 40 yards from the safety of the shore. He attempted to swim, but sank rapidly. One man attempted to save him, but he sank too fast. The police and a search and rescue crew were on the scene within minutes. Later that evening, they recovered the body of my friend Belton.

At some point, I got to thinking about ways to memorialize Belton and came up with the idea to memorialize Belton through a fundraising paddling event. Perhaps the proceeds could go to a non-profit group called Team River Runner (TRR). TRR taught wounded and disabled veterans how to paddle as a form of therapy. Given Belton’s background as a physical therapist, paddler and military vet, TRR was very deserving and appropriate. I emailed my paddling buddies with my idea and everyone was willing to help.

—Jaimie Higgins

Read more about Jaimie’s remarkable results in memorializing his friend and raising money for Team River Runner at www.riverratrambling.com.

Thank you so much, Jaimie!