December 1, 2004 -- Atlanta, GA
North America has a very rich history in canoeing, more so than any other region of
the world. Native North Americans may have invented the canoe and certainly
popularized the craft as integral part of their transportation. Explorers, voyagers and
settlers eventually capitalized on the idea. Elegant log canoes ultimately became molds
for a wood plank and wood strip canoes. By the 1870's these smooth-skinned craft were
being turned out in numbers in boat building shops of central Canada. Canoes were the
essential craft for anyone who wished to experience travel in the Canadian and North
The impact of the North American canoe eventually spilled over to modern canoe and
kayak racing, even to the way that the race classes are designated. The International
Canoe Federation (ICF) designation for the “C” in C-1 and C-2 stands for Canadian
canoe just as the “K” in designates kayak. In addition, in Wildwater and Slalom, the
majority of the racers needed to fill the ICF Classes are canoeist. For example, in
Wildwater a full World Championships team consists of four K-1s, four K-1W’s, four
C-1’s, and four C-2’s (for a total of twelve canoeist and only four men’s kayaks and
four woman’s kayaks).
From the very beginning, North American’s have played a huge role in the canoe racing
over the years. Perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishment was America’s two decade
dominance in Slalom canoeing. It began with Jamie McEwans’s bronze medal win in the 1972
Olympics and perhaps culminated with the Gold Medal earned by Scott Strausbaugh/Joe
Jacobi in the 1992 Olympics or Davey Hern’s Gold Medal at the 1995 Worlds. During this
time period, Jon Lugbill, Davey Hearn, Jamie McEwan, Marietta Gilman/Chuck Lyda, Bob
Robinson, Kent Ford, and Fritz and Lecky Haller racked up dozens of medals in
international competition and also changed the design of the modern slalom canoe. For
a complete list of slalom medalists please see
(Picture: Veteran USA Wildwater Racers Chuck Lyda (stern) and Dan Schnurrenberger (bow)
show their skills at the 2003 World Cups in Kernville CA. Chuck Lyda won his first
Gold in C-2 at the 75 Worlds.)
The Americans have also been successful in Wildwater canoeing at the international
level. Perhaps our greatest single achievement was the “perfect run” at the 1981
Worlds at Bala (GBR) in the C-2 Mixed class that earned Mike Hipsher and Bunny Johns
the Gold medal. In addition, John Butler proved that we could also compete in C-1 by
winning the Bronze at the 1985 Worlds in Garmisch (GER). Our team strength in canoe
also showed at the 88 Pre-Worlds when the Americans earned medals in the team runs.
Ultimately, Andy Bridge was our most dominate Wildwater canoeist on the international
scene. Bridge won a plethora of World Cups as well as the overall World Cup Champions
in 1990. His style of switching sides to match the river conditions was widely adopted
by Wildwater canoeist shortly afterwards.
But if you looked at this years race results for the Canadian and US National
Wildwater Championships (aka the CAN-AMs) , as well as this years international
results, you would never know of our proud North American history in canoeing
excellence. Our rich heritage and the huge participation we once experienced dwindled
significantly over the past two decades. Ironically, there was only one C-boat from
Canada (the C-2 team of Winacott/VanWinssen). In short, there is a huge opportunity for
Canadian and US Wildwater canoeist who are willing to train hard to do well in national
competition and to compete in international competition.
There is a much bigger story here than a lack of participation in canoe classes at the
CAN-AM Wildwater Championships. We are experiencing a similar, although perhaps less
drastic drop in canoeing participation at the international level as well. Perhaps
this is the result of a change in demographics, buying patterns, and outdoor hobbies.
And unlike in years past, when many of us learned to canoe at summer camp and then
gradually migrated into racing canoes, today’s kids are all learning to paddle in kayaks.
Not only does this mean that we need to continue to develop racers from an even smaller
pool of canoeist, it means that we also need to recruit kayakers into racing canoes.
This is a great time to get into Wildwater. The ICF has designated 2005 as an
international development year. All of the ‘05 World Cup Races are being held in the
UK and Ireland, on class II-III rivers that are favorable for growing Wildwater
participation. In addition, Pre-World's organizers will also host a Masters Pre-World
Championships in conjunction with the 2005 World Cups 5-6 in Bala (GBR). The US Wildwater
Team Trials will be held March 5-6 on the class 2-3 Nantahala, and is perfect venue
choice for a development year (please visit
In the Eighties, we used to dream of winning medals in canoe in the team runs at
the World Championships. We came close to realizing the dream when we took home several
team medals at the ’88 Pre-Words. Out of our team strength in the 80’s Andy Bridge
emerged as a force in international Wildwater. We could do again!
I’m calling all able-bodied, athletic canoeists to come out and play. Come out and
train and race wildwater! Now is a great time get back into the sport, or to get started.
Let us know how we can help you get started. For more information, contacts, and the 2005
Race Schedule, please visit
Chairman - USA Wildwater
John Pinyerd is a 9-time USA Wildwater Team member, a Bronze Medalist in International
Competition, and has won dozens of medals in Wildwater at the National level.