Verlen Kruger

Verlen Kruger (June 30, 1922 in Pulaski County, Indiana – August 2, 2004) was an American canoeist who paddled over in his lifetime.

Biography Kruger was born in 1922 in Pulaski County, Indiana. When he was 14 years old, he dropped out of high school to help provide for his family during the Great Depression.

Paddling Over the course of his life, Verlen Kruger paddled the most miles (over ) of any single competitor in the sport. Kruger started his paddling career at age 41. Of particular note are the Two Continent Canoe Expedition and the Ultimate Canoe Challenge, the longest canoe journey ever.

Legacy During his lifetime of canoeing, he earned 11 Guinness World Records, and was the first canoeist to paddle up the Grand Canyon.