In 1982, while mountaineering and trekking in Bolivia, Tommy was intrigued by the geography, flora, fauna, and culture of Lake Titicaca. He discovered sea kayaking while seeking to fully explore this inland sea 13,000 feet above sea level. He purchased a Nautiraid tandem sea kayak, sparking a kayaking, cycling, and exploring career spanning nearly five decades.

Tommy has organized and led international kayaking, cycling, climbing, and trekking trips on four continents. He has kayaked extensively in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, the Puget Sound, the Inside Passage of western Canada, and Southeast Alaska, and the Bering Strait—plus Maine, Cuba, Greenland, Finland, and many other wild and natural places. Tommy is a certified ACA Level 4 instructor for Coastal and Open-Water Sea Kayaking. He owned and managed Tucson Adventure Outfitters and later Florida Kayak School and Tours. He has guided and taught for many other organizations and institutions—often voluntarily—until retiring to dedicate himself to his own paddling adventures and helping others to explore safely and confidently.