International Whitewater Hall of Fame: Growing Its Worldwide Audience
New Website Encourages Greater Participation as 2009 Nominations are Sought
(Silver Spring, MD) – The Paddlesports Industry Foundation has announced this year’s call for nominations to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame with the unveiling of its new communications hub at www.iwhof.org.
“We could not be more proud of this new site that makes it easier to find information about the nomination process and IWHOF inductees,” notes Risa Shimoda, Board of Governors Chair. “It will be updated with announcements and event information more frequently than in the past, can be viewed in 33 languages and allows IWHOF to thank our sponsors more effectively.”
“We encourage nominations for this year’s induction until April 18,” notes Matt Urdan, IWHOF Program Manager. “These whitewater luminaries will be considered along with those nominated in past years (nominations remain in consideration for five years). Six new honorees will be elected by late May and inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF) September 26th at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC, USA.”
Nominations for the IWHOF can be submitted in four categories:
Advocate— an individual who has promoted whitewater pursuits vigorously through grassroots advocacy or environmental stewardship or by producing significant products or services in a leadership role for a period of twenty (20) years or more.
Champion— an athlete, coach or team currently or previously engaged in any competitive whitewater discipline;
Explorer— an individual or team currently or previously engaged in any area of whitewater exploration; and
Pioneer— The first or among the earliest experts in one or more specific areas of whitewater accomplishment.
Two nominees will be elected in each of the Advocate and Champion categories, one in each of the Explorer and Pioneer categories.
“We are thrilled to represent a true multi-national collaborative which now includes 68 affiliated organizations in 56 countries,” notes Matt Menashes, Executive Director, Paddlesports Industry Foundation. “In 2008 45% of the group hailed from outside the USA, over double the 2006 percentage. “We look forward to reaching even more paddlers through greater participation in 2009.
About IWHOF
The International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF) recognizes and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to whitewater related activities. The first class of honorees was inducted in 2005. IWHoF is a program of the Paddlesports Industry Foundation whose mission is to promote paddlesports and celebrate its greatest contributors.
For more information please contact Matt Urdan, murdan@iwhof.org 1+ 828-788-1498.
Reel Exposure Offers Screens for Whitewater Hall of Fame Inductees
Year II Inclusion Expands Awareness Across Borders
(Silver Spring, MD) – The Paddlesports Industry Foundation is proud to announce that the Reel Paddling Film Festival once again includes a tribute to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame.
The video included in the RPFF 2009 lineup highlights accomplishments of the 2008 IWHOF Inductees who were celebrated at the Nantahala Outdoor Center October 11, 2008:
Explorer Mick Hopkinson (UK/New Zealand)
Pioneer Carl I. Luther (Germany)
Champion Gilles Zok (France) and Eric Jackson (USA)
Advocate Klaus Lettmann (Germany) and Kent Ford (USA)
“We are excited and appreciative for the opportunity to ride along with the excellent array of great work and entertainment that is produced by RPFF, scheduled to visit 150 venues this year,” notes Pam Dillon member of the IWHOF Board of Governors. “This exposure will once again help us further our mission to celebrate those who have contributed so much to our sport.”
“We are happy to include the continuing tradition that IWHOF has established,” says Scott MacGregor, RPFF founder and producer. ““The objective for RPFF each year is to highlight some of the very best depictions of the many elements of our sport, and showcasing those who have been voted as heroes and heroines as IWHOF inductees seems to fit perfectly.”
About The International Whitewater Hall of Fame
IWHOF has recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to whitewater related activities since 2005. It is a program of the Paddlesports Industry Foundation, whose mission is to promote paddle sports and celebrate its greatest contributors.
To learn more about IWHOF visit www.iwhof.org or contact Risa Shimoda rshimoda@iwhof.org 01 + 301-502-6548