Hey all,

As many of you are aware, on May 17, 2008, we all lost an amazing person and friend – Mike Stano – while he was paddling the Green.  Sometime soon, those with him at the time will draft a report of the incident in an effort to better inform the paddling community of the exact details.  But that can wait – this is about Mike.       

Mike lived an incredible life, achieving more than it seems possible for one person to accomplish in 45 years.  He dedicated his life to helping others; fighting forest fires, volunteering for two years with the Peace Corps, working in a brain trauma unit and eventually in his chosen profession as a self-employed physical therapist. 

Mike loved all aspects of the outdoors, most of all kayaking.  As anyone who had the opportunity to paddle with him would attest, his cheerful demeanor, positive attitude, and warm smile were inevitably contagious, even on the dreariest of days.  Although in the eyes of the paddling community he was certainly seen as an “expert”, his appreciation for whitewater went well beyond class V.  Mike was always game – and enthused – for a class II / III rainy weekend adventure to the Olympic Peninsula or an evening on the South Fork Snoqualmie.  He enjoyed the balance between play paddling, creeking, multi-day trips, and just plain ol’ river running.  Plus, he both understood the importance of and reaped the rewards achieved through teaching others how to paddle.  Not long after learning to paddle, he pursued his ACA instructor certification, which he brought with him to the Pacific Northwest.  For many years he was a tireless volunteer instructor for Pacific Water Sports as well as for the WKC whitewater class.  Recently, he began volunteering with Team River Runner, utilizing both his physical therapy and paddling instructional skills in teaching injured war veterans to kayak.  His accomplishments in kayaking built his confidence in life, but he still never understood what an incredible person he was.

Off the river, many of us stood in quiet awe of Mike.  There was very little that he didn't know how to do. He could fix, build, and renovate anything. It was rare that someone would ask him a question to which he didn’t have an answer – an answer likely based on prior life experience.  Life fascinated him, and he was always learning new things from the people he met.  In addition to being brilliant and skilled, Mike was an incredible human being. He was compassionate, sincere, and genuinely interested in the people he met. While often perceived as quiet and laid back

Thank you Jon for such a wonderful write up on our good friend Mike.

And..Thank You Mike for being there for me on the river during my early days of boating. You held onto my boat as we decended those huge scarey rapids on the Powerhouse, and you encouraged me to do my very first "portage and run it again!"  You saw my fears and you saw my tears.  With baby steps you helped me to build the confidence I needed to progress in this wonderful lifestyle/sport.  On the day you left us I ran the Wenatchee @ 16,000!  It was huge!  I've come a long way from those Powerhouse days!  Thank You Mike Stano... Thank You so very much!  You're terribly missed.   Sydney Capitano

Tragic! I didn't realise that he was the boater. Will miss seeing him at the takeouts and at the Pummel. My condolences to his family and to Jon, I know they were good friends.