3rd Annual Kayak Football Tournament, Providing a competitive outlet for veterans

On March 12th, eight teams of veterans kayak football players competed head to head in Team River Runner’s 3rd annual Kayak Football tournament at Walter Reed medical center in Bethesda, MD.

The Teams!

Calleva

The Blind B’s

Team RamRod- Shepherd University

Thundervets – DCVA

Team FUBAR -Walter Reed

Team BOHICA- Walter Reed

Terp Vets- UMD

Philly Wet Exits – Southeast PA

These teams who were made up of wounded veterans, active duty service members, their family members and other community supporters played an all day tournament of double elimination. As the day went on the playing became more fierce. These teams fought fearlessly to the end. The final match turned out to be between Team RamRod and Thundervets. Thundervets was undefeated for the day and RamRod had fought back and won two games in a row to get to the final match. The final match was a blowout where RamRod beat thundervets 4-0 and became the champion for the second year in a row!

They took home the coveted golden football

Team RamRod!

Team RamRod champions two years in a row!

Video of their 3rd Touchdown!

 

Thank you to Drink More water for donating 6 cases of water to our tournament!

Thank you to Drink More Water for donating 6 cases of water to our tournament!

Vanessa Jones

Committe Co-Chair

Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering
inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of
belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from
Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and
perspectives to her endeavors.
As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on
seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving
others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her
passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their
voices are heard.
Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where
she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and
compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces
the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for
growth and empowerment.
In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a
missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes.
Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African
dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that
everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her
unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is
paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports
landscape.