Whitewater Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
September 26, 2009

Honoring the Class of 2009, this Year at GAF

The Nantahala Outdoor Center is pleased to host the International Whitewater Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at its home on the Nantahala River, September 26, 2009 as part of Guest Appreciation Festival. Come honor six paddling legends from around the world. Reception begins at 5pm, followed by dinner and a video presentation at 7pm.

About the 2009 Inductees

from iwhof.org:

"The International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF) Board of Governors has announced the Class of 2009 Honorees, whitewater legends whose accomplishments have contributed significantly to both the sport and business of whitewater around the world.

'We are particularly excited about the breadth of this year's honorees and their breathtaking accomplishments,' notes Risa Shimoda, Chair, IWHOF Board of Governors. 'They hail from six countries and their nomination and election reflects participation from 74 affiliate organizations and 100 electors from 29 countries.'

Pioneer - Mikhail Kolchevnikov (deceased) - Russia
Mikhail organized the 1978 Chuya Rally in Siberia which evolved into Project RAFT, a partnership with American rafters to override the political animosity between their two nations. Project RAFT hosted 50 teams on the Chuya, Nantahala (USA), Reventazón and Pacuare (Costa Rica) and Coruh River (Turkey) from 1989 to 1993 and its successes became the roots of the International Rafting Federation and World Rafting Championships.

Explorer - Lars Holbek (deceased) - United States
Lars Holbek logged over seventy first descents worldwide on many of the world's top-quality whitewater rivers such as the Futaleufu and Stikine. Laid back, fun-loving and dedicated to pushing the limits of whitewater paddling, Lars led the charge in one of the greatest periods of exploratory kayaking the sport has seen and co-authored The Best Whitewater in California in 1984, which continues to be the undisputed authority for California paddling.

Champion - Stepanka Hilgertova - Czech Republic
Stepanka Hilgertova competed in five consecutive Olympic Games, winning Olympic Gold Medals in 1996 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Sydney). She also took 1st Place at World Championships in 1992 (Augsburg) and 1996 (Barcelona) and many European Championship races. Stepanka's popularity as an Olympic victor is a prime reason for the tremendous popularity of whitewater slalom in the Czech Republic, and she is now regarded as their "First Lady of the Olympics."

Champion - Pavol Hochschorner and Peter Hochschorner - Slovakia
These double canoe partners have won Gold Medals in three Olympic Games, nine World Cup Championships, and two World Championships. They have also completed the canoe slalom "Grand Slam," winning Gold Medals in the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships and Whitewater Slalom World Cup.

Advocate - Rafael Gallo - Costa Rica
This founder of one of the most well-respected rafting companies in the world has led the fight to save the Pacuare River from the first dam threat in the 1990's and protected 2,000 acres of rainforest along that river. Founder of the International Rafting Federation, Rafael has helped increase international rafting standards, awareness, and has promoted the sport throughout the world.

Advocate - Bill Mason (deceased) - Canada
An award-winning naturalist, author, artist, filmmaker and conservationist, Bill Mason's books, paintings, films and environmental advocacy have each had a tremendous impact on generations of wilderness travelers and whitewater paddlers. The most successful filmmaker in the history of the National Film Board of Canada, Bill Mason is perhaps best known for the Path of the Paddle series of films which introduced new skills and enjoyment of whitewater to canoeists worldwide during the 1970s and 1980s."

Ticket Information

Founded in 2003, the International Whitewater Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to whitewater-related activities. NOC co-founder Payson Kennedy was among the innaugural class of inductees back in 2005.