Bill Smoke attended Michigan State University, and competed for the California Kayak Club and the Detroit Boat Club. In 1964 the California Kayak Club won the US title in kayak fours which qualified them for the Olympics. Smoke did not paddle with the club at that event, but replaced Gert Grigoleit on the Olympic boat. Smoke later formed Regatta Specialties in Buchanan, Michigan, which sets up courses for rowing and canoeing competitions. He helped design and build the courses for the 1984 and 1996 Olympics. Smoke married Marcia Jones, who paddled for the US at the 1964-72 Olympics, although they later divorced. Their son, Jeff Smoke, was a canoeist for the US at the 2004 Olympics.
United States