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Archive News
Six
Whitewater Legends Announced for Induction into the International Whitewater
Hall of Fame (pdf)
McHenry, MD August 10, 2006.
The newest class of inductees into the International Whitewater Hall of
Fame (IWHOF) was announced today at Outdoor Retailer’s Summer Market
exhibition in Salt Lake City. The class represents a diverse group of
whitewater legends comprised of individuals and athletes with significant
accomplishments and contributions in whitewater related activities:
Herbert Rittlinger (deceased), a German explorer and
writer, is honored in the Explorer category for his numerous first descents
beginning in the 1930’s including the Amazon from its source to
the ocean (1936-1937) and the Blue Nile in Africa (1953). Rittlinger also
had numerous uncounted first descents through travels to Turkey, Romania,
Greece, China, Japan, Australia, Africa, and South and Central America.
Writings about those travels brought him considerable world-wide fame
and recognition. His first big success, Ganze allein zum Amazonas, was
the account of his solo journey down the Amazon.
Jim Snyder, of Albright, West Virginia, is honored in
the Pioneer category for his life-long and on-going influence in kayak
design which extends beyond whitewater. He is the inventor of the short
boat revolution of squirtboating from which modern playboats descend.
Snyder is also an innovative whitewater practitioner inventing countless
maneuvers and their names. He is often at the forefront of the sport with
creativity that extends to every aspect of boating, from kayaks and paddles,
to other paddling gear and accessories.
Tom Johnson of Kernville, California, and Martin Litton
of Portola Valley, California, are honored in the Advocate category for
their life-long contributions. Johnson left his mark in the industry as
a designer as well as a coach and advocate for competitive whitewater
sports. His most memorable design, The River Chaser, was the first successful
plastic whitewater kayak and a significant contributor for proving the
viability of plastic kayaks in the paddlesport market. As a coach and
advocate for more than forty years, Johnson supported the development
of young paddlers through his work with local paddling clubs as well as
his involvement with the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Martin Litton is honored for his life-long commitment fighting
to protect and preserve the integrity of the West's beautiful places.
As a writer and conservationist, he worked to keep dams out of Dinosaur
National Monument and the Grand Canyon and helped gain protection of Hells
Canyon on the Snake in Idaho with the National Recreation Area designation.
As a boatman, Litton pioneered oar-powered recreation in the Grand Canyon
in the 1950's establishing his own company running dories on the Grand
Canyon, Hell's Canyon, Salmon, Grande Rhonde, Owyee and Green Rivers.
Athletes Gisela Grothaus-Steigerwald of Berlin, Germany,
and Scott Shipley of Boulder, Colorado, are honored in
the Champion category. Grothaus-Steigerwald is a three-time individual
Gold Medalist and three-time Silver Medalist in wildwater kayak competition
spanning six consecutive World Championships beginning in 1973. Although
primarily a wildwater competitor, she underwent a crash program to prepare
for the 1972 Olympics and had a remarkable run to capture Silver in slalom
at the 1972 Olympics in spite of a serious shoulder injury during practice
runs.
Scott Shipley is a three-time Gold Overall and four-time Silver Overall
World Cup Medalist and a three-time individual Silver Medalist in World
Championship competition in slalom kayak, all within an eight-year span
beginning in 1993. Shipley is also a three-time Olympian and was awarded
the U.S. Olympic Committee's Jack Kelly Fair Play Award for an act of
sportsmanship during training at the 1996 Olympics.
This announcement concludes a six-month nomination process that began
in February and elections by a 40-member voting electorate consisting
of nationally and internationally-recognized whitewater paddlers representative
of the whitewater community.
Formal induction of the newest class into the Hall of Fame will take place
on Friday, October 20 at a dinner at the WISP in McHenry, Maryland. Post-induction
festivities will continue on October 21 at the site of the artificial
whitewater course in McHenry currently under construction by the Adventure
Sports Center International (ASCI). The post-induction festivities will
include a party for the whitewater community and a pre-opening peek of
the whitewater course (opening spring 2007). For additional information
contact Susan Taft or visit www.iwhof.com.
About IWHOF and ASCI:
The International Whitewater Hall of Fame and Museum, being constructed
as part of ASCI’s Adventure Sports Center, recognizes and honors
individuals who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions
to whitewater related activities. The history, development and major achievements
made in these activities will be depicted through displays of related
equipment, art, artifacts, mementos, etc. Interactive and virtual components
will further enhance the museum experience.
ASCI is a non-profit organization with a mission to create an International
Adventure Sports Center that is recognized as a focal point in the emerging
and expanding adventures sports industry. The Center, located in McHenry,
Maryland, works to promote, educate, and facilitate participation in a
wide range of adventure-based recreational activities and competitions.
Contact:
Susan Taft
(440) 361- 0016
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