Michael DeWald
About
Nickname: Mountain Mike
Paddling Experience: I grew up in Boy Scouts and at my families lake cottage where I both learned to kayak and canoe on a recreation basis. The last 4 years I have worked for Kayak Chicago where I have excelled in my paddling skills and continue to grow every time I get in my boat. Since working at Kayak Chicago I have gone on 3 longer kayaking expeditions, 1 in Maine and 2 in Voyagers National Park, MN. I’ve also started to get into whitewater kayaking in the last year and hope to increase my skill level greatly this summer.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), EMT, ACA Sea Kayaking Instructor L2
Favorite Place to Paddle: Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL
Favorite Piece of Gear: Werner Ikelos Paddle
Favorite other Activity: Mountain Climbing
Favorite Place: Irish Lake, Indiana. This is a very special place for me. My family has had a lake cottage here for over 60 years. I grew up on this lake during the summers with my parents, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Every weekend during the summer we would spend at the “lake” and it was always a special time. I look back now and realize how amazing it was to have a place like this to grow up with and the amazing memories that I now have.
Favorite Quote: “The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir