Portfolio Items

Isamu Tatsuno

Holger Machatschek

Have you ever wondered where large cockpits, bulkhead footrests, the throw bag, and life jackets came from? No other has influenced the "Alpine whitewater sport" more than Holger Machatschek, for several decades.
Dave Manby filming at the Orinocco, 1977

Dave Manby

As an Advocate, Dave Manby has spent fifty years at the center of the international river running scene, inspiring others to paddle rivers around the world.

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.

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.

Scott Shipley

Scott is a three-time Olympian and three-time World Champion in slalom kayak among the many other outstanding medal performances and contributions.

Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson is considered by many to be the best kayaker in the world. No one has excelled at as many different aspects of the sport as Jackson has.

Kent Ford

Kent Ford’s unique background includes more than twenty years of teaching, paddling, coaching and international whitewater racing. His twenty plus videos and books on paddlesports have influenced the education of a half million paddlers and have made him one of the most recognized paddlers in whitewater worldwide.

Rafael Gallo

Rafael Gallo has pursued his passion for whitewater paddling from learning to paddle in the Great Smoky Mountains of the United States during college to founding and growing one of the best rafting companies in the world in his native Central America, based in Costa Rica.