Brad Ludden

Quick Facts about Brad Ludden

Full NameBrad Ludden
Nick NameDaril, Bud, B, Biff
Birth DateMay 8, 1981
Birth PlaceSheridan, Wyoming
ResidenceGypsum, Colorado
NationalityAmerican
EducationFlat Head High School
HobbiesAdventure, Travel
Sexual OrientationStraight
TattoosNone
AwardsTop 10 CNN Hero 2010
Zodiac SignTaurus
Father’s NameChuck Ludden
Mother’s NameJinny Ludden
SiblingsNone
Age41 years old
Hair ColorLight Brown
Eye ColorGreen
Height5 feet 11 inches
Weight86 kg (190 lbs)
ProfessionProfessional Kayaker
Founder of First Descents, Stoke Broker
Marital StatusNot Married
GirlfriendNot Known
First InternationalAt 12 years old
Active Years1993 – Present
Achievements/Titles
  •  x Freestyle Athlete of the year
  • Japan Open 1998
  •  Lofer Rodeo Austria 2000
RepresentsAmerica
Social MediaTwitter, Facebook, Instagram
SalaryUnder Review
Net Worth$1 million -$5 million
MerchFirst Descents: In Search of Wild Rivers (Paperback)
Last UpdateAugust 2022

Kayaker Brad Ludden is from the United States. At the young age of twelve, he began kayaking abroad. He has visited more than 40 countries so far since he loves to travel. Brad is a philanthropist as well. He has been working incredibly hard with his nonprofit, First Descents. In 2016, he received praise for his efforts. He received the Top 10 CNN Hero 2016 award as a result. Additionally, Brad is the owner of Stoke Broker. It was founded as a cause corporation to help his nonprofit organization First Descents.

How much is the net worth of Brad Ludden?

We are confident that no one will be surprised to learn that Brad Ludden is extremely wealthy. The kayaker has amassed a sizable fortune for himself thanks to his illustrious profession. His net worth is around $18 million dollars. Brad uses kayaking to generate the majority of his wealth. Numerous businesses support him in his sport. Brad has agreements with businesses including Dagger Kayaks, Nike, AT Paddles, Smith Optics, Training Day, Subaru, and Kokatat, for instance. He also made an appearance in the brief documentary The River Ward in 2010. Brad was not only a part of the film, but he also served as the assistant editor for the documentary. Additionally, that same year, Brad had another appearance on television in the program “Last Call with Carson Daly.”

Brad Ludden: Family and Early Years

Brad Ludden was born in Sheridan, USA, on May 8, 1981. His mother’s name is Jinny Ludden and his father is Chuck Ludden. There are no siblings for him. Brad only began kayaking when he was nine years old. Kayaking quickly rose to the top of his list of passions. He developed a taste for it and began to consider making a profession out of kayaking.

Brad’s parents took him on a weeklong trip to Colorado for kayaking when he turned 13 years old. He was accompanied by seven other youngsters, all of his age. There, he had a great time.

Brad Ludden Makes the Decision to Travel Abroad

Brad had a discussion with his folks after his trip when he got back. Brad’s parents also offered him his first drink, a beer, as he was reaching legal drinking age. The beer, in Brad’s words, “tasted terrible at the time, but it was great.”

His parents reminded him that he was an adult now during their conversation. They also told him that he was free to choose whichever path he wanted to take. Aside from that, he would also be held accountable for his choice. In other words, at the young age of 13, Brad’s parents gave him the freedom to become independent. Brad revealed that he desired to become a professional kayaker, surprising their parents. He continued by saying that he intended to quit his regular high school and enroll in a kayak academy.

Brad’s parents weren’t quite pleased with his response. They failed to stop him, though. Brad as a result left home at the age of 13 and began touring the world. He left his regular high school and joined the kayak academy. Brad was also the first whitewater kayaker sponsored by Nike when he was 18 years old. In a real sense, he had achieved his goal.

Brad Ludden: Career in Kayaking

Brad enjoyed being near the water. He cherished kayaking and just taking in the sound of the ocean. He had a good kayaking career as a result. Brad has received numerous accolades and prizes for his kayaking. In the Cadet Division of the JR Nationals in 1994, he finished third. And in the 1997 JR World Freestyle Championships, Ludden finished third. The kayaker was also successful in winning first place at the 1998 Japan Open. Additionally, that same year, he finished third in the European Open.

Brad won the title of JR National Freestyle Champion in 1999. He was also the year’s top freestyle athlete, according to x. The American kayaker finished second in the JR World Freestyle Championships in 1999 as well. Brad also took first place in the Lofer Rodeo Australia in 2000. He has garnered numerous Teva Mountain Games medals between 2001 and 2008.

The hottest bachelor is Brad Ludden

Brad Ludden received the title of “Hottest Bachelor of 2008” from Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2008. At a ceremony conducted at the New York City nightclub Mansion, the outcome was revealed. There were 50 people in total nominated for the job. Brad was astonished when the results were revealed because he had not expected to win the competition. He declares that the event was quite bizarre. Brad won $10,000 in addition to the distinction of being the year’s hottest bachelor. He gave First Descents, a nonprofit organization, all of his award money. Brad Ludden was chosen by the Cosmopolitan magazine mostly because of his charity endeavors, his zest for life, and his good looks.

Brad Ludden with Kate White, Editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine (Source: vaildaily.com)

Initial Descents

First Descents is a nonprofit organization that was founded by Brad Ludden. A nonprofit organization called First Descents focuses on outdoor experiential programming. The non-profit works to improve young adults’ long-term survivability of cancer and other serious health issues through outdoor experiences, skill development, and neighborhood adventure clubs. The First Descents program helps its members regain their lives through free outdoor adventure activities including climbing, kayaking, and surfing.

Katie “Emoji” Doble, a First Descents Participant (Source: Instagram)

The program aids participants in letting go of their illness. Instead, kids take pleasure in the outdoors and make friends. Young people have unique difficulties and obstacles as a result of cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health conditions. First Descents therefore prioritizes young adults while offering its program. The leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults is cancer (AYAs). With about 87,000 new diagnoses each year, young adults are the age group in oncology that is both rising the fastest and receiving the least attention.

Additionally, the most prevalent neuroinflammatory disease affecting young individuals is Multiple Sclerosis. It’s interesting to note that Brad has started a site called Athletes Giving, where he gives athletes that support charities priority.

Brad Ludden started First Descents in what way and why?

Brad Ludden’s aunt was given a breast cancer diagnosis while he was just starting his adolescence. His aunt was only 38 at the time. Cancer had been particularly personal to him and his family as a result of his aunt’s personal experience with the disease. Brad pondered his goals for the future when he was 18 years old. Even though he had already visited numerous nations and accomplished a number of exploits, he felt that something was still lacking.

Brad thought what he did was quite egotistical. In sports, you are both the vendor and the product. There is no room for anyone else. He therefore desired to make a difference and do something for others. He gave this matter a lot of thought before deciding to start a non-profit and tie it to his area of interest. So, Brad Ludden started the First Descents in 2001 when he was eighteen years old. His idea was first supported by the State of Colorado.

Brad Ludden: Age and Physical Characteristics

Brad Ludden was born in 1981, making him 41 years old at the moment. He was born in the year of the Rooster according to the Chinese calendar. His sun sign is Taurus, as well. And humans under this zodiac sign are renowned for being kind, laser-focused, perseverant, and loyal.

Given that Brad is a philanthropist as well, we may conclude that he is indeed quite generous. Furthermore, the most important qualities for any sportsperson are patience and focus. Brad is the same way, standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 86 kilograms. He has a muscular build appropriate for a sportsperson. He also has a very endearing face. John has brown eyes and short, light-brown hair, which draw attention to his other features. His skin tone is fair, as well. On his body, he doesn’t have any tattoos.

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Brad Ludden: Social Media

Brad Ludden is a role model to many. Also, many people follow him simply because of his undying passion for discovering nature and adventure. Further, many people admire him for his social deeds. Brad interacts with his fans and followers through his social media platform. The Whitewater Kayaker can be found on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. He has over 4.8k friends on his Facebook page as of 2022.