Southern Appalachian Whitewater Hall of Fame

In 2021, SAPM created the Southern Appalachian Whitewater Hall of Fame with its first class of 61 individual and 4 organizational inductees.

In 2022, eight more individuals and one more organization were added, and in 2024 5 more individuals and one more organization were added, to be showcased at the March 8, 2025, Night at the Museum. The Hall of Fame honors eighty heroes of our sport – Innovators, Pioneers, and Leaders – who have contributed to making our region a worldwide mecca of whitewater paddling.

See a Photo Gallery of the Hall of Fame Inductees.

See a Video Slide Show of the Inductees.

Criteria for SELECTION

To merit induction, a nominee must have exhibited one or more of the following qualities in ways that have profoundly and positively impacted the sport of whitewater paddling in the Southern Appalachians:

As an INNOVATOR by creating new methods, technologies, or products; - as a LEADER among people in organizations or movements;
as a PIONEER who defined new pathways for others to follow, particularly in paddling sport; and/or
as a person who has achieved NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS and served as a role model for others.
Inductees need not have resided in the Southern Appalachians but must have had significant activity and influence in the region. For the purpose of this program, the “Southern Appalachians” is generally intended to include the contiguous mountainous areas of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Inductees must be at least thirty years old and must have achieved accomplishments or contributions to the sport for a continuous period of at least ten years.

Individual inductees may be deceased or living, and may remain currently active.

We look forward to more inductions in future years.