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.

IWHoF describes the Kerckhoffs as suitable honorees in the Pioneer category because they were responsible for Canada’s longest-running whitewater instruction school, the first whitewater management plan guaranteeing whitewater flows, and purchased access to the Ottawa River.