Background
Tad was born on May 28, 1984 in Riverdale, Georgia. He grew up in Peachtree City, Georgia and attended McIntosh High School, graduating in 2002.
Tad was born on May 28, 1984 in Riverdale, Georgia. He grew up in Peachtree City, Georgia and attended McIntosh High School, graduating in 2002.
Tad began kayking at age 7 and began competing in the sport of whitewater slalom at age 11. From ages 11 to 13 Tad was on the United States National Team for the Cadet age group, competing in the solo kayak (K1 men"s) division. In 2001, Tad placed fourth at the Junior World Cup race in Prague, Czechoslovakian Republic.
Due to injury, Tad took a four-year-long hiatus from kayaking and started again in the summer of 2006.
That August, Tad placed 8th at the United States National Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. The following spring, Tad placed 3rd at the 2007 United States of America Canoe/Kayak National Team Trials, earning him the third and last place on the United States National Team in the men"s C1 division.
In spring of 2008, Tad placed 3rd at the United States Olympic Team Trials at the United States. National Whitewater Center earning him yet again the last spot on the United States National Team. His teammate Benn Fraker was selected to represent the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
In addition to kayaking, Tad works as an air traffic controller at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Tad trains under Olympic Coach, Ian Soileau.
Tad then switched to the men"s single canoe (C1 men"s) division at age 14 and was a member of the United States National Team for the Junior age group until he was 17.
