RIP Graeme Anderson: Oct 14, 1982-June 8, 2012

Graeme12B — One of my favorite shots I’ve ever taken. Graeme taking off on 12b on the Zambezi.

South African news article about Graeme’s final chapter. HERE

Graeme was a passionate person in everything he did. He had a can do attitude that was infectious and is someone you always wanted to be around. Graeme was an extremely talented boater that didn’t mind pushing boundaries. I watched him run the minus rapids on the Zambezi and still think he was nuts for doing it, but he took big accomplishments like this in stride. Graeme recently passed away from contracting rabies through the saliva of a stray dog that he had taken in. Graeme’s life was taken way too early, but he lived his life with passion and commitment to his friends and family. You never know when your time is up in this world and you need to be sure that you are living passionately in the moment everyday.

I met Graeme during the ’04 International Fluid Kayaks team trip. He was an amazing person to travel with and after our excursion with the team up on the Zambezi readily took me into his home and showed me all the good things about South Africa. His family was more than amazing, our short drive up to Lesotho was quite an experience, dirt bike riding on his family’s farm was a hoot, kayaking Thrombi Gorge was a highlight of my trip and the birthday party for Ross in Pietermaritzburg was quite the epic!

DSC_0112 (1) — Graeme dropped into this catch on the fly wave on the lower Zambezi and was the only one from our large international group of talented boaters to truly showcase the waves potential for big air.

Graeme Anderson freewheels Thrombosis Falls, South Africa. — Graeme showed us down his home creek, Thrombosis Gorge. Couldn’t believe he styled this freewheel only feet from the undercut cave at the bottom left of the drop.

Riding in the back of Graeme’s truck up Sani Pass in the fog and rain was a unique and fun experience.

Graeme was by far the big trick master on 12b, although the C-1 duo of Joe and Seth gave him a run for his money:)

The Colorado kayak tour trip of ’06 wouldn’t have been nearly the same without Graeme joining. Graeme liked to show us the “african way.” I injured my shoulder on this trip and ended up on photo and shuttle duty for most of it, but Graeme really kept things up beat and smiles all around.

Graeme styled many of Colorado’s big drops including this super slide at the bottom of O’Be Joyfull Creek near Crested Butte.

DSC_0006 (2) — Graeme mid Homestake Creek race during the Teva Mtn Games in Vail, CO.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have gotten the chance to be a small part of Graeme’s life. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. He is greatly missed!