Athlete

My name is Spencer Cooke, owner and operator of Effort Inc. For myself kayaking is about having fun with friends and enjoying this mysterious, watery planet we have landed upon.

Surfing on the river - 2009 - photo Jon Cox

As an athlete I represent a small handful brands including Immersion Research, Shred Ready & Astral Buoyancy.

Sponsors

I enjoy all facets of paddling…

Aquabound print ad 2009 – Morocco Surf photo by Nathan Eades

…but I have a special love for surfing.

Some of my career accomplishments as a paddlesports athlete and competitor include:

Kayaked in eight countries including Portugal, Morocco, Ireland, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada & the USA encompassing 22 North American States and Territories (NC, TN, SC, GA, FL, AL, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, DE, NY, CO, WY, ID, OR, WA, CA, ON, QC and BC).

Featured in numerous kayak films and paddlesports print media. See the press portfolio at the footer of this page featuring my photography, journalism and related coverage.

featured in Mission Epicocity - 2006

Competed in three World Championshps and Several USA National Championships.

Placed 1st at two National Surf Kayak Championships and was on the 3rd placing team at a World Surf Kayak Championships.

Playboating 2009 - photo by Jon Cox

Competition history (top 3s and Notables):

2010
2nd Place Saluda Millrace Massacre – 10th Annual Iceman Championships
2nd Place Battle of the Blades – Short Boat
2nd Place Battle of the Blades – Long Boat
3rd Place Battle of the Blades – SWUB (surf what you brought)

2009
1st Place USA East National Surf Kayak Team Trials – IC division
2nd Place USA East National Surf Kayak Team Trials – HP division
3rd Place Watauga Gorge Race

2008
4th Place NOC/Dagger Freestyle Shootout

2007
1st Place IC in ESKA Wrightsville Beach Surf Comp
2nd HP in ESKA Wrightsville Beach Surf Comp
1st Place Boater-X, North Alabama Whitewater Fest (NAWF)
1st Place Waterfall Freestyle, North Alabama Whitewater Fest (NAWF)
3rd Place Overall, North Alabama Whitewater Fest (NAWF)

2006
1st Place National Championships Surf Kayaking IC Class, OBX
2nd Place National Championships Surf Kayaking K1 Class, OBX
2nd Place Green River Freestyle Hole Riding, Wyoming
1st Place Boater-X, North Alabama Whitewater Fest (NAWF)
2nd Place HP in ESKA Jacksonville FL surf comp 1
2nd Place Big Trick in ESKA Jacksonville FL surf comp 1
3rd Place IC in ESKA Jacksonville FL surf comp 1
1st Place Saluda Millrace Massacre
2nd Place Saluda Iceman Championship
3rd Place Saluda Millrace Head-2Head

2005
5th Place (short boat) Green Narrows Race – 20th overall
2nd Place Potomac River Freestyle
3rd Place Waterfall Freestyle North Alabama Whitewater Festival
3rd Place Wilson Creek Race (long boat class)
1st Place x 3 – Saluda Millrace Massacre, Head-2-Head Race & Iceman Championship

2004
3rd Place Potomac River Freestyle

2003
2nd Place Saluda Millrace Massacre

2002
1st Place K1 Surf Kayak National Championships, National Champion
3rd Place Hi-Performance Surf Kayak National Championships
1st Place Hi-Performance Eastern Surf Kayak National Team Trials
US East Surf Kayak Team Member

2001
1 st Place Extrasport Challenge, Russell Fork River
3 rd Place (team) World Surf Kayak Championshps

2000
3 rd Place Hi-Performance Eastern Surf Kayak Nationals
US East Surf Kayak Team Member

1999
3 rd Place Nolichucky Freestyle
6th Place US Freestyle National Team Trials Redsides OR

1998
3rd Place Watauga Gorge Race

Creekboating 2009 - photo by Andy Gates

The following is a press portfolio which features my photography, journalism and related coverage.