There might not be a better example of this than the International Whitewater Hall of Fame, who is currently accepting nominations for the class of 2011. The IWHOF is asking its’ members and anyone with an opinion on the subject to join their FaceBook page and then jump in the conversation about who should be nominated. “IWHOF encourage honorees, electorate members and other interested parties to join the IWHOF FaceBook Page to start discussions,” says IWHOF Chair Risa Shimoda. “A great deal of our inductee accomplishments are documented, so we hope they and their friends will upload photos and videos, to generate interaction with others in the whitewater community.”
Each year the IWOF honors the world’s most accomplished whitewater Pioneers, Explorers, Champions, and Advocates by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. “We’re excited to one again build participation from the International Canoe and Rafting Federations from past years,” notes Rafael Gallo, Class of 2009, owner of Rios Tropicales and member of the IWHOF Board of Governors. “We hope to hear from whitewater enthusiasts around the world to nominate their heroes and heroines through an IWHOF Affiliate.” Nominations must be submitted through an IWHOF Affiliate Organization, whose leaders are able to confirm the validity of the submitted materials.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 2003 by Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI), and now the IWOF is partnered with the Nantahala Outdoor Center and is part of the Paddlesports industry Foundation. The first class of the International Whitewater Hall of Fame was inducted in 2005. Since that time 25 honorees from the United States Australia, France, Germany and New Zealand have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
For a full list of inductees check out: IWOFhonorees
“Nominations will be accepted through July 12, and then reviewed along with past nominees to develop a slate of candidates,” says Pam Dillon, Board of Governors member and retiring Chief, Watercraft Division of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “The IWHOF electorate, comprised of whitewater experts from around the world, will be asked to vote on the inductees July 25-31. We’re excited to accept new nominations, and see familiar names back on the ballot.”
Submissions should illustrate nominees’ accomplishments with documents, articles, photographs, video, and mentions in news stories. For those who are elected, these materials will be used to produce a DVD highlighting their achievements at the 2011 IWHOF Induction to be held October 15, 2011, in Coloma, California.
For more information regarding the 2011 IWOF nomination forms, instructions, election procedure and timeline check out the IWOF website Nominations Page: IWOFnominations