Whitewater Classics Fifty North American Rivers Picked by the Continent’s
Leading Paddlers
A Summary
To select the fifty rivers featured in Whitewater Classics Fifty North American Rivers Picked by the Continent’s Leading Paddlers, author Tyler Williams asked the most influential kayakers and canoeists on the continent to each nominate a classic river. The results were as varied as the paddlers themselves, from the alpine scenery of Nancy Wiley’s Animas River, to the tropical paradise of Kent Ford’s Santa Maria.
Each entry in the book starts with a biography of a prominent paddler. Rather than simply listing the accomplishments of these whitewater personalities, Williams has told their often fascinating stories. One passage recounts how Colorado whitewater pioneer Roger Paris learned to paddle in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. “…In the wake of the demolition, the town bridge over the Loire River was turned into a scattered mess of debris that fell into the streambed…Roger took a canoe down to the newly created rapids, and began what would become an illustrious paddling career.”
Following each paddler’s biography, the river which they selected as a classic is described. These river descriptions are detailed enough to serve as paddling guides, but they are also rife with stories. Williams often tells of the river’s first descent, and a feel for the surrounding geography of the rivers is always weaved into the text.
Besides the interesting reading, Whitewater Classics has color photographs accompanying each of the fifty rivers. A map of each run is also included.
Williams will be hosting a special slideshow presentation of his whitewater adventures Saturday September 25th at the AW Gauley River Festival. For more information about the slideshow click here.
240 pages
$26.95