Cody Iorns, a 25-year-old double amputee, has died while paddleboarding at the mouth of the Severn River.
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) say Iorns, who lived in Washington, D.C., died yesterday evening near Tolly Point after a medical emergency. NRP is investigating his death.
Capital SUP Annapolis, based on Spa Creek, said on their Facebook page that Iorns was out for a downwind paddle with fellow Capital SUP members when he drowned.
In a separate post, Capital SUP explains what a “downwinder” paddle is:
“A downwinder, for those who don’t know, is when you launch upwind of your destination and essentially surf home. It is a one-way trip that is entirely dependent on windy conditions.”
Capital SUP leaders said they were in shock Wednesday evening. “CPR was performed by the paddlers and emergency medical responders but we were unable to save his life. We are still processing how it happened. Please pray for Cody’s family. We are at a loss for words. He was our brother. He was an inspiration to everyone on and off the water.”
Iorns paddled with two prosthetic arms and was involved with the Live Water Wai Koa Performance Program, an adaptive water sports training program for physically and mentally disabled veterans.
Capital SUP is planning a “special on-water/on-land ceremony for Cody tentatively scheduled for Saturday morning.” You can follow @capitalsup on Instagram for details, as well as a forthcoming support fund for Iorns’ five-year-old son, Bradley.
-Meg Walburn Viviano
