Pedro Almeida

• Nickname:

  Pete, Recon

• Team Position:

  Search and Rescue Specialist

• Conch Republic Navy Rank:

  Able Seaman

• Years Paddled:

  2007-2011

• Age:

  42

• Family:

  I've been married to my beautiful wife, Yamila, for 17 years (she deserves a huge award) and we have one son, Oscar, who's 9 and has his own, hand-built, wood strip kayak.

• Where he's from:

  I was born in New York, NY, but I was raised in Miami since I was 3.

• Education:

  Southwest Miami High (graduated by the skin of my teeth); a couple of classes at Coastal Carolina Community College when I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC; Miami Dade Community College for an AS and prerequisites for the PT program at FIU; FIU for a BS in Physical Therapy; then, after a few years as a PT, I went back to MDCC for the Fire Academy and EMT School.

• Work:

  I'm a Fireman (I got tired of the corporate world and left Physical Therapy for a more exciting job).

• Influences:

• Fun Facts:

  Love to build kayaks and paddles. I like hang gliding and kayaking. My favorite movie is Forrest Gump. The Shawshank Redemption is a close second. My favorite books are by Tom Clancy. I like classic rock like the Eagles, old Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Styx, etc. I also like Jazz and some newer rock like Green Day.

• Essential CAC Gear:

  His Boat - The Tardis: Hand built with some super wood he purchased in Georgia. Custom hand made (by Pete) carbon fiber paddle.

• Additional CAC Gear:

• How did you get involved with the CAC?:

  I read the trip report from the 2006 trip and thought, "That's something I'd like to do." So I got in touch with Bob and Steve and joined the team.

• In his own words:

  "Try and keep up..."