No Turning Back: The South American Expedition of a Dragon Slayer

by Benjamin "Coach" Wade

In 1996, Benjamin Wade, then 24 years old, set out to paddle his kayak from Baja, California, to South America-a six-thousand mile journey expected to take several months. Everyone told him he was crazy. At times he thought he was crazy. Throughout his months of travel he made new friends, battled the elements and sharks, encountered a playful school of dolphins and paddled so close to a humpback whale that he feared the mammal would lift his kayak up from the ocean's surface. He camped on beaches and made friends with the locals in the small towns he stopped at along the way. Fighting the the weather-including Hurricane Hernan-he was often broke, usually hungry, and was forced at times to stop to work for his meals or recuperate from injuries. Showers were a luxury, sunburn a constant danger, but crushing loneliness overshadowed all other discomforts. During those long months he found within himself a deep faith that carried him through what he would later describe as "six months of hell." These pages hold the account of that journey, an expedition that made him, in the end, a stronger person.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

266 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2011

About the author

Benjamin Wade was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. At an early age he felt a strong affinity for music, and by the age of sixteen he was being called on of the best young trumped players in the world. He has played with the New York Metropolitan Opera, and the Indianapolis and Knoxville Symphony Orchestras.

In 1996, he decided to embark on a 6000-mile kayaking adventure, to prove to himself, as well as to others, that he could meet any challenge set before him. The journey took nearly six months, after which he emerged the record-holder for the longest solo kayak trip, and was recognized as the first kayaker to solo navigate to Orinoco and Amazon Rivers.

No Turning Back: The South American Expedition of a Dragon Slayer, comes from the journal he kept during his six-month journey. It's a story not only of adventure, but also of deep faith and redemption.

Upon his return he began a career coaching college soccer, where he earned the apt nickname "Coach". Now entering into his 17th season as a collegiate coach, his teams, from the NAIA to the NCAA, have won 16 conference championships during that time.

In 2003, he co-founded the Susanville Symphony, and accomplishment for whcih he holds the greatest pride. The documentary "Small Town Big Sound" filmed in 2006 by his brother, Peter Wade, premiered on the Documentary Channel.

Wade's groundbreaking contemporary ballet, "The Four Elements" premiered in 2011 and is also available on DVD.

Coach, Maestro, philosopher, businessman -- however you describe him, Benjamin "Coach" Wade has proven to be an accomplished man and an unforgettable character. As a three-time contestant on the top-rated CBS primtetime reality television show Survivor (Survivor, Tocantins, 2009; Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, 2010; and Survivor: South Pacific, 2011) -- you either loved him or hated him, but either way he's been a standout contestant who has never failed to surprise, delight, and sometimes even infuriate an audience.

Coming next, The Wisdom of Coach, due out in 2012.

(from About the Author, from No Turning Back: The South American Expedition of a Dragon Slayer.)

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would recommend reading. He is a legend in this book (even if it is most likely a little bit of a stretch on the truth) the same way he is an absolute legend on the show survivor.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get through this shit, I'm finally surrendering. It's the essence of "Coach" from Survivor distilled down to its purest, most intolerable form.

I had hoped this would be so bad it's funny, perfect fodder for 372 Pages We'll Never Get Back, but I have been sadly disappointed.

[Charlie Somers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Got it somewhat ironically due to how entertaining Coach was on Survivor, but thoroughly enjoyed every page. You can nitpick a few of the details if you’d like, but the story itself is pretty cool you have to admit. Only thing it was missing is the tales of his capture by an Amazonian tribe, as originally told on Survivor Tocantins. Though perhaps that’s for a different book. 5 stars for Coach Wade.

[Connor Weist · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was his birth name? It wasn't Coach it was Benjamin.
No Turning Back is a book that details his expedition from California to South America from his kayak. He details the harsh conditions he felt on the water, and the loneliness that he felt throughout his journey. He also talks about the time he spent in the towns he visited and the locals that fed and housed him. It's a beautiful story of the determination of one man, and how his adventure was only possible through the kindness of the people he met throughout his entire journey.

[SpaceBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bombastic travel diary of Survivor's legendary Coach. Likely to be a fun read for fans of the show.

[Sarah Dykes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Survivor and Coach. I thought this was going to be crazier, but I think those stories were saved for tribal council.

[Andy Huber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really tough to read.