Paul Kumer

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Kumer

  • Castaways nickname: The Machine

  • Years Paddled: 2018-Under the Bridge Tour; 2019-No Surrender Tour; 2020-20/20 Perfect Vision Tour; 2021-BlackJack Tour; 2022-Carry On Tour; 2023-Ridiculous Stunt Tour; 2024-Here Comes the Sun Tour

  • Team Role/Function: Executive Officer (XO)

  • How did you become a Castaway? OB.  He asked I responded with a solemn "yes"

  • Why are you a Castaway? I want to do my part in the fight against this terrible disease.

  • Outside a kayak/bicycle, what is your "essential" gear? Beef jerky, my Leatherman knife, Burrus's shine, and my 1-man tent.  There's no room for a sleeping bag.

  • Conch Republic Navy Rank? Haven’t had the honor of being inducted yet.

  • Favorite Castaways moment: Day 3 will always be memorable, but watching the Skipper float away at the S-Bend ranks up there...for now.

  • Favorite Castaways quote: OB to Julie "just[sic] paddle!"

  • My Family: Married to my better half - Peta - and mother of our two boys: Eliot and Simon.  The household is mostly engulfed in chaos as dinosaurs engage in constant battles with Transformers, and Batman always seems to save the day.  Somehow through the day's adventures children are fed, ears are washed, and prayers are said...lots of prayers

  • Where are you from? Born and raised in Miami

  • Where'd you go to school? Columbus class of 2001, BA from University of San Diego, MA in History from Florida International University

  • Where do you work? I teach History at Columbus

  • Favorite music/artists: The Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, the Avett Brothers, Bob Marley, and The Felice Brothers

  • Favorite movies/genre: Anything by Tarantino especially True Romance.  

  • Favorite books: On the Road, Into the Wild, Tortilla Flats

  • Personal Fun Fact: I have a wealth of great Jim Harbaugh stories.

  • How have I helped carry out the CAC mission of funding cancer research and honoring those who have fought the fight? In addition to fundraising, I make a concerted effort to educate my students at Columbus about the various ways we can combat cancer - most notably early detection and family history. While improving cancer treatment protocols and developing new treatment options has tremendous value, they are limited if we don't do our jobs living a healthy lifestyle and being proactive in our own medical care. Luis and Elena Perez, Dorothy Kumer, and my father Ken Kumer.