Meet the Crew: Steve Nurre, volunteer

If you've been to Ohio River Paddlefest weekend, you've likely seen Steve Nurre's smiling face. You can find him volunteering at the entrance to Friday night's Outdoors for All Expo, greeting attendees and answering their questions as they join the party. On Saturday morning, he waits on the dock at Gilday Park, welcoming nine-mile paddlers to the Finish Line Festival. 

Steve started volunteering on the Crew's Explorer kayaking trips seven years ago. 

"The joy of helping and seeing kids be happy is irreplaceable," he said. "I like when the kids bring back their treasure trove of rocks, driftwood and other items they find in nature."

Not long after that, his family friend Bill Swanson, an Adventure Crew board member, recruited him to help out at Paddlefest. 

"I haven't left the finish line since; it's a great place to be," he said.

"The fun of helping run the largest paddle event in the world is gratifying."

Growing up as the youngest of 12 kids in St. Bernard, where his father's family has lived since 1840, he spent plenty of time outside (although there were no real forests nearby). "I was in a pool a lot, and loved our family water skiing outings on Sunday afternoons." 

Coincidentally, they put in at Schmidt Field, which today hosts the Outdoors for All Expo and serves as the Ohio River Paddlefest launch point. 

"Water skiing is still my favorite, but the boats I own are inflatable paddleboards, which let me experience the river year round (and paddling on Kellogg Ave when the river floods!)," he said. "I especially like a sunset paddle downtown in the summer."

Steve spent much of his career in medical sales as a rep and manager, dealing with everything from research lab supplies to plates and screws used in surgery. "I'm winding down my career at Fidelity trying to make the money flow for all!" he said.

He's also a big believer in Adventure Crew's motto of "outdoors for all." 

"Being able to go out into nature with kids of all backgrounds and watch them enjoy what they see and experience" is his favorite part about volunteering with the Crew. "Another great part is to read their stories of the friendships they make with each other, and the confidence they develop in all parts of their lives."

Outside of work and volunteering with the Crew, Steve looks forward to a great family year. His daughter is getting married in London this September, and his son just got engaged last weekend. He's also attending a famiy reunion in Idaho in June.

"I also coach Special Olympics swimming, which is another joy and blessing in my life!" he said.

It's a joy for us to have Steve in our Crew! Look for him as part of the Adventure Crew/Paddlefest entry in the Bockfest Parade on Friday. 

Want to be like Steve? Fill out our volunteer form to get involved with the Crew or Paddlefest!