Rafa Ortiz

About

Whitewater kayaker who became the first Mexican ever to win the World Freestyle Championships. In 2013, he kayaked down the steepest navigable whitewater in the world at Rio Santo Domingo, Mexico. 

Before Fame

He grew up in Mexico and learned to kayak in Veracruz. He was inspired by Ben Stookesberry to pursue kayaking. 

Trivia

His descent down the waterfalls of Niagara Falls was chronicled in the documentary Chasing Niagara (2015). 

Family Life

He married Fernanda Cosio in November 2016. 

Associated With

He and Ben Brown are both world champion kayaker.