It's been a tough week for the tiny town of Index and the whitewater kayaking community. They lost a titan. His name was Sam Grafton.
"If we're going to talk about Sam and inflate his ego a little bit, we should probably do it in his turf," smiles Janelle Deane.
She and Grafton were best friends. The two met at the Index River House eight years ago. She was fairly new to town, putting on a paddling clinic. He was already a legend there.
"He was a big deal paddler and I just had no idea," said Deane.
Over the next eight years, she got a pretty good idea as the two bonded over their outdoor adventures. A lot of that time was spent on the river. In a town of less than 200, everyone knew Grafton.
The hometown kid who practically lived on the Skyhomish. But his kayaking skills were known well beyond its borders.
"Anytime there was a water rescue, he was involved, especially in the Highway 2 corridor," said Deane. "He loved being able to help with that."
"Him coming here about age 15, wanting to join the fire department," said Fire Chief Ernie Walters.
It's one of his fondest memories of Grafton, whom he'd known since Sam was just 10. When Grafton returned at 18, he earned his spot at the department, always eager to learn and always eager to share.
"It was amazing to see him bring that knowledge and help our other guys that didn't have that knowledge or experience, even to me," said Walters.
But all that knowledge and experience wasn't enough last Saturday on the Snoqualmie.
"He knew it really well. He'd been doing it since I'd known him," said Deane. "There was nothing out of ordinary that day."
Nothing that Grafton had tackled time and time again. For someone who traveled the world to kayak white water, this was essentially his own backyard. His friends and family are torn apart inside, but putting on a good front, choosing to focus on all he accomplished in his short life.
"He was a force to be reckoned with, he was definitely taken too soon," said Deane.
"He was out there doing exactly what he loved and had been doing it for years," said Chief Walters. For him to go out that way, I think was a little bit easier on us."
On Saturday, a group of fellow kayakers honored Grafton by gathering on the river for a group "Memorial Paddle on the Sky" in Index.
"In Remembrance of Sam Grafton. We love You," the group posted on their Facebook page.
