BIO

Born and raised in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. Jake spent much of his youth exploring the outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking and canoeing. He was a three-sport athlete: Soccer, Basketball and Baseball through his middle and high school years. Winning the CT State Championship for Class S  Baseball in 1995. This led to further his passion and drive to play sports at a higher level. He spent three years playing baseball for Division Two Davis and Elkins college in WV as a pitcher. Post college he worked in the adventure based recreation and tourism field which solidified his love of the outdoors and action sports. Frequently found mt. Biking, rock climbing and bouldering remote areas of WV. After several years of mountain living Jake missed the competitiveness of sports in his life. Trying different men’s league softball and various trail/road running events. He could not find the right outlet for his energy and passion. On a vacation to Puerto Rico his wife “Ali” booked a stand up paddle board tour.

Not knowing what it was or being an avid water athlete, they gave it a try. Once he realized the board’s potential for exploration and that there were events where you could race them head to head, he was hooked! Jake started racing in 2015 at age 38 and has not looked back. Each race season he studied other racer’s techniques and strategies and slowly climbed the ranks. His motivation to improve paddle stroke, speed and conditioning has led to him being a formidable adversary on the water.

2022

•Paddle for Access, Newport, RI
2nd place 3 mile SUP

•Stand Up for the Lake, Burlington, VT
7th overall, 5th in age group-6 mile SUP

•Narragansett Waterman Eco Challenge, Narragansett, RI. 4th place 3 mile SUP

•Bridgton Paddle Battle, Bridgton, ME
1st place 3 mile SUP

• Swim Tuff, Providence, RI to Jamestown, RI
Ben Tuff swam the length of Narragansett bay assisted by Jake Linley
(first time completed on SUP) 24 miles 14 + hrs.
* Documentary film “Swim Tuff” created based on event. Available on Amazon

2021

•Carolina Cup, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Money Island 10 K-4th overall, 1st in age division

•Silver Lake Paddlesports Race, Berlin, CT
1st place 5 mile SUP

•Bear Mtn. paddle for Puerto Rico
Peekskill, NY 2nd place 8 mile SUP

•Fairfield Paddle Fest, Fairfield, CT
1st place 6 mile SUP

•New London Cup, New London, CT
2nd place 7 mile SUP

•Stand Up for the Lake, Burlington, VT
2nd place 6 mile SUP

•Block Island, RI to Beavertail, RI
Ben Tuff swam the crossing assisted by Jake Linley (first time
completed on SUP) 19 miles 9.5 hrs.

•Narragansett Waterman Eco Challenge, Narragansett, RI 12th place 3 mile

•Farmington River Race, Simsbury, CT
1st place 4 mile SUP

•Tom’s River Paddle Race, Tom’s River, NJ
1st place 7 mile 1st place Dash for Cash sprints

•B-More SUP Cup, Baltimore, MD
5th place 5 mile SUP

•Oxbow Paddle, East Hampton, MA
1st place 6 mile SUP

2020

• Paddle Skedattle Hamilton Reservoir,
Hamilton, MA 1st place 7 mile SUP

• Bridgton Paddle Battle, Bridgton, ME
1st place 3 mile SUP

• APP Men’s unsponsored division Fast Track
Fastest speed on SUP over 50m
6th place world ranking-10.5 mph

2019

•Bridgton Paddle Battle, Bridgton, ME
1st place 3 mile SUP

•Waterman Eco Challenge, Narragansett, RI
1st place 3 mile SUP

•Charles Island SUP Cup, Milford, CT
3rd place 6 mile SUP

• Circumnavigate Conanicut (Jamestown) island, RI Ben Tuff swam
assisted by Jake Linley ( first time completed on SUP) 23 miles 9 hrs.

• Two-time completion of Cape Cod Bay Challenge
2015-2017 28 mile crossing from  Plymouth, MA to Wellfleet, MA