| Brad Ludden | |
| Birth Date: | May 8, 1981 |
| Birth Place: | Sheridan, Wyoming[1] |
| Yearsactive: | 1993–present |
| Sport: | kayaking |
| Weight: | 190lb |
Brad Ludden is a professional kayaker born in Sheridan, Wyoming on May 8, 1981. He started kayaking internationally at the age of twelve. His career has taken him to more than forty countries.
Ludden is the founder of a charity called First Descents, an organization that benefits cancer patients.[2] At age 12, Brad learned his aunt was diagnosed with cancer, and shortly after his mother began volunteer work at a local pediatric oncology camp. He volunteered one day each summer, instructing campers on kayaking. This is when he realized he could serve his community while kayaking. In 1999 he began construction of First Descents and in 2001, construction was finished, with aid from The State of Colorado.
In 2008 he was named Cosmopolitan Magazine's "Hottest Bachelor in America."[3] Ludden's has also started a blog known as Athletes Giving https://web.archive.org/web/20090423035925/http://www.athletesgiving.org/ where he highlights athletes involved in charitable work. He lives in Kalispell, Montana. he has numerous sponsorship deals, including deals with - Nike, Smith Optics http://www.smithoptics.com.[4] Dagger Kayaks, Subaru, AT Paddles, Kokatat http://www.kokatat.com, and Training Day
First Descents[5] - Founder