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Expert Bank

Expertise On and Off the Water

At NOC, we're surrounded by outdoor adventure experts. From industry leaders to Olympians we have bonified authorities willing to help writers with any story about outdoor recreation.

Some of NOC's Experts:

Payson Kennedy
NOC Co-Founder and International Whitewater Hall of Famer

Wayne Dickert
NOC Paddling School Director, Ten-Time USA Canoe/Kayak Team Member, Two-Time National Outdoor Book Award Winner and 1996 Olympian

Andrew Holcombe
Green River Narrows Race Record Holder and 2003 World Freestyle Championships Silver Medalist

Lee Leibfarth
Current board member for USA Whitewater Slalom Committee, former development chair for USA Whitewater Slalom Committee and the fifth-ranked US Whitewater Slalom K-1 racer in 2003. Also NOC's VP of Operations.

Sutton Bacon
NOC's President and CEO, two-term President of American Whitewater (and current board member) , Outdoor Industry Association board member, America Outdoors board member

Eli Helbert
Three-Time Whitewater Freestyle World Champion, 2001 World Champion Extreme Canoe Racer, and French Broad River Manager

Brian Jennings
NARR River Manager, New & Gauley Trip Leader, American Whitewater Athlete Ambassador, US Freestyle Committee Member, National Level Freestyle and Extreme Race Competitor, Highest Descent of New River Gorge.

Angus Morrison
1972 and 1976 Olympian and Nantahala Head Raft Guide

Jimmy Holcombe
NOC's First Employee, a current NOC board member and Legendary Southeastern Paddler. Has countless first descents including the famous Gauley River in West Virginia

Melanie Blake
The manager of NOC's industry leading Outfitter's Store keeps everyone up to date on the latest trends in Outdoor wear, that is when she's not training for century rides, running 10ks or out-riding everyone on Flint Ridge.

Ray McLeod
One of NOC's most seasoned veterans, a current NOC board member, Raft Guide Manager and the Nantahala area's amateur historian