Who says kayaking isn't sexy?Don't tell that to the editors at Cosmopolitan, who chose pro paddler Brad Ludden as their 2008 Bachelor of the Year in the magazine's November issue, on sale now.
The unassuming 27-year-old Vail, Colo. resident definitely has the chiseled abs and square-jawed smile you'd expect a Cosmo girl to fall for. But in a nod to nice guys everywhere -- especially those who spend their time in stinky polypro -- Ludden's not blowing his $10,000 in prize money on just another kayaking trip. He's giving it to First Descents, the charity he founded in 2001 to introduce young adults with cancer to the outdoors.
You can check out Ludden's interview with the Today Show's Ann Curry after the jump.
In a tear-jerking twist to Ludden's story, on the same day that he posed for Cosmo's photo shoot back in June, he learned his long-time friend and co-worker, Allan Goldberg, lost his own battle with cancer. "It definitely made for a really challenging situation for me to put on a smile and go about my day and try and be normal," Ludden told the Vail Daily newspaper.
So, in a sport filled with testosterone and terror, how does it feel to be named a hunk by the favorite read of America's girliest girls? "It was a little embarrassing at first," he told Canoe & Kayak magazine. But then, having the opportunity to donate $10,000 to young adults with cancer more than makes up for any flushing of Ludden's cheeks.
Already a sponsored member of Team D -- the professional paddlers at kayak maker Dagger who are lucky enough to get paid to travel the world with their kayaks -- the christening now means that Ludden really is kind of a big deal. Past Cosmo bachelors have gone on to fame and fortune, including appearances on Survivor, and yes, The Bachelor.
Not that Ludden hasn't made headway in the fame and fortune category already. According to Outside magazine, he already owns a half-million dollar home near Vail, and has paddled in more than 40 countries traveling on the pro circuit.
None of it, though, seems to have gone to Ludden's head. In a letter on Dagger's Web site, Ludden shouted out a big THANK YOU to all of the people who helped him win. "We showed that we are strong in the face of cancer and that we will continue to be so until we live in a cancer-free world," he wrote. "These efforts are something to be proud of."
And paddlers everywhere can be proud of you, Brad. Congratulations.
Latest Canoeing and Kayaking Photos
Poland's Pawel Baraskiewicz and China's Qiang Li compete in the men canoe single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Finland's Anne Rikala competes in the women's Kayak single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
China's ZHong Hongyan competes in the women's Kayak single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
China's Li Qiang prepares to compete in men's canoe single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Russia's Maxim Opalev competes in men's canoe single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Athletes compete in the women's Kayak single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Tatsiana Fedarovich of Belarus competes in the women's Kayak single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read /AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
China's ZHong Hongyan competes in the women's Kayak single 500m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Australia's Ken Wallace competes in men's Kayak single 500 m during the Canoe, Kayak flatwater race at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Israel's Michael Kolganov competes in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Men's Kayak K1 500m flatwater event at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. AFP PHOTO / Manan VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brad...... : )
You are Precious!! Congrats on being selected
Batchelor Of The Year!! : )
What a class act. You won't see this kind of humility and kindness from most NBA or NFL athletes.
Yes please! What a hottie! Congrats!
I should have won ...
Gay, Gay, Gay.............Don't let the bachelor award fool you. NO straight guy acts and talks like that. The award should be The Butt Buddy Award.
I've known people, both men and women, that are just basically good. They have a lot (inside them), so they're able to give a lot, and it's unrelated to their sex drive (there's a whole spectrum of that). I say "let him be Who He Is." I for one am grateful there are people like him sharing space on the Planet while I'm here.
doug---get with it, you are in, at least physically, the 21st century---who cares if he is gay or just a really cool straight boy? how does that affect you and your life? think its funny that he clasps his hands over his crotch the whole interview, since you know that's what they are all looking at, and thinking about grabbing if they could--that goes for men, too---i am gay and i think he is just HOT! and gay or straight, i think that either way---byw, it is not cool to discriminate against anyone--just remember, it could happen to you, too---
It doesn't matter if he looks or acts gay. The important thing is that he is a FANTISTIC PERSON!!
Doug...your comment is a perfect example of someone thats jealous of gay people which usually crosses into hate. Get therapy for your homophobia.
What a stupid thing to worry if someone is gay , straight or bi !
Congratulations Brad.., humility goes a long way. You seem like a great guy, and you deserve the award.
Good guys over bad boys anyday !!
Gay or not, (i don't think so) kayaking takes a ton of balls. Stair a Class 5 rapid down on a first descent and its freaking dangerous and life threatening. Never known a gay kayaker in years of paddling (except women), but I guess it's possible. Chances are this guy would be the one saving your ass in a swim so I'd ponder his gayness right about then as he's saving your homophobic ass lol.