John Ervin-I grew up in southeast Missouri and started paddling the rivers at a young age. I decided I needed big water and was a diver in the Navy in my early 20's.

After the Navy and university I was an English teacher for a while, then transitioned into the solar energy business. Then back to college and now I am a travel nurse working in prisons. 

As life moved along I got interested in paddling again, completed the MR340 in 2018 and have also been on the support crew.

In 2022 I took a small houseboat from Hermann, MO to Baton Rouge, LA going trolling motor speed, sold the boat and rode my solar powered ebike back to SE Missouri.

I like the water, I like the desert. I never pass up an opportunity to sleep in challenging places, drink bad coffee and complain about it the whole time while secretely loving it. I enjoy hanging out with others that also have trouble sitting still. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and getting on the river.