Jimmy Holcombe

Paddling School Instructor/Legend

Age: In Wisdom, as old as the river and at Heart, as young as a teenager.
Height/Weight: 6' / 170 lbs
First Year Paddling: 1960's
First Year at NOC: 1972
Favorite Boats: Dagger Nomad
Favorite Rivers: Santeetlah

Fun Facts: Jimmy was the first employee hired by NOC back in 1972, coming off the first successful descent of the Gauley River. Jimmy continually sets the example as the best instructor in the world, as he mentors new (and old) instructors. One of the sayings in our Paddling School is, "Before there was a kayak, there was a Jimmy." Because of his depth of experience, Jimmy has the uncanny ability to "fix" anything that is "broken" in a paddler's technique. Serving as an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer, he mentors not only new instructors but many of the top instructor trainers in the country. Jimmy wholly embodies grace on the water. It doesn't matter if the craft is a canoe or kayak, he can run any river so smoothly, you'd think he was paddling on butter.

He has a long list of first descents, including the Gauley River and his favorite boat of all time is the Hahn C-1, a 13' 2" fiberglass boat which he used to bag first descents on Stekoa Creek and Slick Rock Creek, plus early descents on the Green Narrows and the Cullasaja. This retired veterinarian stays fit by riding his bicycle to and from work as he sets the standard for "green" living. Jimmy says that if he had only one more day to paddle he would choose the Santeetlah, hike to its very headwaters, and paddle down with his son Andrew.

Certifications:

• ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid