Episode 19

full

Published on:

17th Feb 2026

Jack Ditty: Take a Safety Break

Jack (Jay) Ditty is an emergency room physician, lifelong paddler, and the creator of the Safety Break. In this episode, we sit down to explore the intersection of paddling culture, risk, medicine, and responsibility — not from a place of fear, but from experience and care.

We talk about Jay’s path into paddling, how years in emergency medicine have shaped his understanding of risk, and why he believes the paddling community needs better, more honest conversations about safety. Jay shares the origin story of Safety Break, what he’s learned from hosting difficult conversations, and how storytelling can help normalize preparation, reflection, and humility on the water.

This conversation digs into the tension many paddlers feel: pushing personal limits while also recognizing the responsibility we carry — to partners, families, first responders, and the communities we paddle in. Jay offers a thoughtful perspective on how we can hold space for progression and consequence at the same time.

A grounded, practical episode for anyone who paddles — especially those who care deeply about the long-term health of our community.

Mentioned in this episode:

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

RSS Feed Spotify

About the Podcast

Following Waters

Life on and off the water.

About your host

Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.