The 2005 Class of Honorees was the inaugural class of the International Whitewater Hall of Fame, featuring seven inductees. The 2005 International Whitewater Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the Adventure Sports Center in McHenry, Maryland.
Read the full profiles of each of these honorees by clicking on their names.
William (Bill) T. Endicott
Bill Endicott vastly influenced whitewater slalom in the U.S. and internationally for thirty years.
Rob Lesser
Rob set the standard for big water exploratory Class V kayaking in the 1970s, ‘80s & ‘90s.
Payson Kennedy
Payson Kennedy co-founded the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Wesser, NC in 1972 with Horace Holden and developed it to become a world-class facility.
Jon Lugbill
Jon is generally considered as the best paddler to ever compete in whitewater canoeing dominating the top levels of canoe slalom for over a decade
Davey Hearn
Davey Hearn dominated the top levels of canoe slalom for over a decade. He was instrumental in collaboration with other top racers, in designing the Max series of canoes that revolutionized slalom racing.
Charlie Walbridge
Approachable, humble, and always friendly, Charlie has probably contributed more than any other single person to promote river safety and develop standards and rescuer techniques.
Bob McNair
Bob’s Basic River Canoeing was THE manual in the 1970’s and 1980’s for basic whitewater techniques used by many to learn and teach whitewater canoeing.