Portfolio Items

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.

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.

William Nealy

William Nearly, heralded as “Whitewater’s Poet Laureate,” was one of the best known ambassadors of the sport. He brought a self-deprecating sense of humor and wealth of practical knowledge to all of his work.

Oliver Cock

Oliver J. Cock’s contributions to whitewater kayaking became an integral part of the foundations of the British Canoe Union (BCU). His whitewater films, many from the 1940’s and 1950’s provide a valuable documentation and history of early whitewater paddling and training.

Ramone Eaton

Ramone (Ray) Eaton was an outstanding leader of networking among paddlers from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. As Vice President of the American Red Cross, his knowledge and expertise in whitewater instruction and safety influenced ARC’s role and involvement in whitewater canoeing and safety.

Chris Hawkesworth

Through his decades of camerawork and film-making alone, Chris made a remarkable and pioneering contribution to interest in, and enthusiasm for, whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting.