22-year-old ocean rower Katie Spotz.

Last year, a 22-year-old woman from Ohio oared her way across the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days to bring a spotlight on the worldwide need for clean drinking water. Now she’s coming to Eau Claire to stress the importance of the same issue. Katie Spotz will be in Eau Claire April 14-16 to give educational and motivational talks coinciding with the grand opening of Kinetico. The water treatment system manufacturer sponsored her ocean voyage and is now her employer, asking Spatz to travel around the country to speak about safe drinking water. Her trip caught attention in 170 countries and brought in more than $100,000 for Blue Planet Network, a non profit that brings sustainable water to people all over the world. Katie has been one of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year, Touchdown Club’s athlete of the year, and a featured speaker at the UN’s Youth Council and the Global Young Leaders Conference. Katie’s talk is free on April 16 at 11am at the brand new Kinetico of Eau Claire, 223 N Michigan St.