1986 - Brian Homberg - Upper Gorge (Sheraton Falls) First Descent (solo) - approx 1000 cfs.
When Brian first ran the falls, he was attending the University of Akron and in his senior year as a Business Major. He was also training for the U.S. Whitewater Slalom Team on the Cuyahoga River. He studied the Upper Gorge Falls and decided it was definitely runnable. He paddled a plastic Perception Dancer kayak on his successful first descent in 1986. Brian had training gates set up on the section of the Cuyahoga just above the Portage Trail bridge. He paddled his slalom kayak frequently on the Lower Gorge. That year, Brian placed 3rd in the National Championships.
He went on to train for the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, narrowly missing the Olympic Team in both attempts. He raced in the 1993 World Championships in Mezanna, Italy.
Brian grew up on a farm in Columbia Station, Ohio. His family started paddling canoes on Cleveland area rivers together when he was 12. Brian’s younger brother Craig resides in Cuyahoga Falls and also enjoys the river.
Brian resides in Garrett County, MD near his beloved Youghiogheny River and has two children who now kayak it with him. Heather 19 and Adam 17 are now expert kayakers.
He works as a Realtor in and around the Deep Creek Lake area. He is excited to see the new and positive developments on the Cuyahoga River and looks forward to attending the race and festivities again this spring.
When Brian first ran the falls, he was attending the University of Akron and in his senior year as a Business Major. He was also training for the U.S. Whitewater Slalom Team on the Cuyahoga River. He studied the Upper Gorge Falls and decided it was definitely runnable. He paddled a plastic Perception Dancer kayak on his successful first descent in 1986. Brian had training gates set up on the section of the Cuyahoga just above the Portage Trail bridge. He paddled his slalom kayak frequently on the Lower Gorge. That year, Brian placed 3rd in the National Championships.
He went on to train for the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, narrowly missing the Olympic Team in both attempts. He raced in the 1993 World Championships in Mezanna, Italy.
Brian grew up on a farm in Columbia Station, Ohio. His family started paddling canoes on Cleveland area rivers together when he was 12. Brian’s younger brother Craig resides in Cuyahoga Falls and also enjoys the river.
Brian resides in Garrett County, MD near his beloved Youghiogheny River and has two children who now kayak it with him. Heather 19 and Adam 17 are now expert kayakers.
He works as a Realtor in and around the Deep Creek Lake area. He is excited to see the new and positive developments on the Cuyahoga River and looks forward to attending the race and festivities again this spring.
1990's - Before the pleasures of modern technology like Social Media, cell phones, and GoPros, there were plenty of adventure seekers among us. These individuals studied topographic maps and traveled to remote areas all over Ohio just to find rushing water. Before the saying "Video or it didn't happen", these guys were becoming legends in the sport of kayaking through word of mouth. The thought to record everything that happened on the overflowing creeks and rivers of Ohio didn't exist. They lived for the rain, and anytime the sky was gray with a storm front moving in, you could be sure they'd be out there waiting for the creeks to fill, and waterfall pools to deepen. These men are: Eric Quigley, Justin Jeffers, Stewart McDowell, Adam Tucker, John Werner, Eric Metz, and many more.
2010-2013 - Corey Spoores, David Hill, Andy Hendrich, and Doug Lyons co-Founded the First 3 Cuyahoga River Boater X Races starting in 2012. The idea for the first Boater X was spawned during their Wednesday Night Paddle Sessions held every week during the summer of 2011. These paddle sessions covered local runs such as the Cuyahoga River Upper Gorge (Sheraton), Lower Gorge, and occasionally Tinkers Creek. During the 2013 Cuyahoga River Boater X we saw the first Shredder Race. The Course was piloted by Shawn Yingling and Dennis Dukeman.
2012 Boater X Recap
2013 Boater X Recap
2012 Boater X Recap
2013 Boater X Recap
Dennis Dukeman (Left) and Shawn Yingling (Right) piloting a Shredder Raft down the Upper Gorge (Sheraton Falls)
David Hill, using hand paddles, launches off the 2nd waterfall on the Upper Gorge (Sheraton Falls)
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2011 - Karen Hawley - First Women's Descent of the Upper Gorge (Sheraton Falls)
**If someone is missing from this list and deserves credit please contact [email protected] and tell us the story!