Evil Geezer Team

A couple of years ago, Richard Steppe and Jerry Brown were getting ready for the Neches Wilderness Race in East Texas, a crazy 22-mile, over and through trees, madly winding from side to side affair held in the August heat. As they were casually preparing for the race, chatting with an onlooker, Jerry remarked that the race was going to start soon, so it would be best to take the boat to the start area. They approached the starting area with their aluminum boat, thinking the area looked strangely empty. A race official hollered, "They started ten minutes ago!" The two racers put the boat in the water, adjusted themselves and took off at top speed. Twenty-two miles, at least 50 downed trees, and some astonished racers later, Richard and Jerry crossed the finish line in first place. Someone remarked, "You guys are just evil!", and the Evil Geezers were born.

Far from actually being evil, the Evil Geezers have a passion for the sport of marathon canoe racing, and they have a really good time doing it, whether in first or fifty-first. They race anywhere they can, Richard carrying his always-present cup of coffee and Jerry yakking with anyone who will (or won't) listen. They've paddled everything from sprints to ultra-marathons, all over Texas and up into Michigan, New York, and Canada. Richard is an excellent all-around paddler, comfortable in ICF kayaks, Safari Unlimiteds, and USCA competition cruisers, while Jerry has focused on perfecting his art in the USCA competition cruisers. Together, they form a great team, with Richard's steady resolve and toughness a counterpoint to Jerry's fire.

Their adventures take them in to other sports as well, with Richard making the occasional foray into big-time adventure racing (such as the Expedition BVI), and Jerry getting into road bike events after deciding he wanted to be just like Lance (it won't happen).

The Evil Geezers have their sights set on some major events next year. The 260-mile Texas Water Safari is always on Richard's calendar. This punishing race is where Richard shines. Jerry is taking a year off from that race (although he said that last year and did this year's race) to concentrate on a good showing at North America's richest marathon, the Au Sable Canoe Marathon in Michigan. An early injury to Jerry in this year's race forced the Evil Geezers to exit early, and they are looking to do well in 2003. The World Marathon Championships in Zamora, Spain, will be on the schedule, but first the Geezers have to make the US team again. Count on it. The Evil ones hope to bookend their season with a good showing at the 70th La Classique International de Canots in Shawinigan, Quebec against the best in the sport.