The Verlen Kruger Award

Verlen Kruger (June 30, 1922 – August 2, 2004) Verlen Kruger, a world record canoeist from Delta Mills, Michigan, was named “The River Guardian” at the 2003 Quiet Water Symposium. This was a heartfelt honor from the mid-Michigan paddling community. Verlen was recognized for his outstanding achievements and records in paddle sports, for bringing international awareness to our environmentally sensitive waterways, and for fostering stewardship of our treasured water resources.  Each year, the Quiet Adventures Society recognizes others who embody his spirit.

On February 28, 2026, during a ceremony in the Main Stage Auditorium during the 31st Quiet Adventures Symposium, the 2026 Verlen Kruger Award will be presented to Peter Frank. Peter has completed an impressive number of major non-motorized expeditions which include:
 
2021 - Unicycle Expedition (solo and unsupported)
The ride started in Appleton, Wisconsin and was completed 99 days later in Phoenix, Arizona. The entire expedition covered 2,400 miles. The expedition raised over $30,000 for the Beacon House, a private, non-profit organization that offers compassionate hospitality to those seeking specialty medical care.
 
2022 - Mississippi River Expedition (solo and unsupported)
The voyage by canoe started at Lake Itasca, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, and ended at the Gulf of Mexico after 2,400 miles and 144 blistering days.
 
2022/2023 -Bikepacking Expedition (solo and unsupported)
During this expedition, Peter cycled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and part of Florida over the course of 65 days for a total distance of over 700 miles.
 
2023 - Headwaters expedition (duo and unsupported)
Returning to Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Peter and a friend traveled 456 miles on the river in a voyage of 28 days.
 
2024/2025 – Great Loop Project (solo and unsupported)
The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile cruising route that circumnavigates the eastern United States. Peter used a 1982 Sawyer Loon, a decked canoe designed and built by Verlen Kruger. Verlen completed the Great Loop with Steve Landick as part of the 28,043-mile Ultimate Canoe Challenge in 1980-1983. Part of Peter’s expedition was to honor Verlen's legacy and to see if it was still possible to complete the loop in the same challenging clockwise direction.

Peter joins the ranks of the previous Verlen Kruger Award winners, all recognized for significant contributions to paddle sport. He will receive a paddle plaque and a paver on which the award date and his name are engraved. A duplicate paver will be added to the walkway around the Verlen Kruger Memorial, located by the Grand River in Portland, Michigan. Peter’s name will also be engraved on a perpetual plaque, where it will join the names of the prior 30 Verlen Kruger Award winners.
 

With this award, the Quiet Adventures Society celebrates the efforts of Peter Frank who now joins the ranks of the previous Verlen Kruger Award winners, all recognized for bringing awareness to our environmentally sensitive waterways, and for fostering stewardship of our treasured water resources.