International recognition for Madawaska Kanu Centre founders

Hermann and Christa Kerckhoff, who founded Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC) in 1972, were inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF) at Nuremburg, Germany on October 5th during the annual PaddleExpo industry trade show. The Kerckhoffs join other honorees in an esteemed group of 46 of the world’s most accomplished whitewater pioneers, explorers, champions, and advocates. Present to accept the Pioneer Award on behalf of her parents was Claudia Van Wijk with her husband Dirk and daughters Stefani and Katrina. Above from left: Dirk, Katrina, Stefani and Claudia Van Wijk with presenter Klaus Lettmann (photo PaddleExpo Peter Lintner) Claudia and Dirk took over both MKC and OWL Rafting in 1988, and are now transitioning the business to the third generation.

River advocate paddled her way into the hall of fame

Elizabeth "Bunny" Johns followed a serendipitous path to the river – and nearly 60 years later into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame.

Nikki Kelly seals place among whitewater elite

For years Rotorua whitewater legend Nikki Kelly has defied the odds, taking on challenges others would never dream of and dominating the sports of kayaking and rafting. Last month her efforts were recognised at the highest level when she was…

Fame Calls For Song Of The Paddle Author Bill Mason

Mason is most easily imagined clad in his trademark plaid shirt and denim cut-offs, crouching beside a campfire above a rapid—the kind of rapid canoeists who came before Mason would be fearful of, and the same kind that canoeists began to search out for fun shortly after Mason produced his two classic books and many films. But was this just an accident of timing? Is the man really Hall of Fame material?