WRC Intro Brochure for internet 092919

WORLD RIVER CENTER R Featuring International Whitewater Hall of Fame Honoring ADVOCATES, CHAMPIONS, EXPLORERS, AND PIONEERS of the International Whitewater Community

World River Center (WRC) is a nonprofit organization establishing a network of locally owned facilities focused on river sports, river conservation, and education. Each center will be locally owned and operated by river centric organizations utilizing the WRC brand and connectivity to other centers worldwide. The network of World River Centers will promote whitewater boating/safety/competition, river conservation/education, and youth education/competitions designed to provide future generations with the characteristics needed to continue to develop responsible river usage and whitewater sports. Founded in 2019, WRC began developing sites in the United States. The project is expected to grow into an international network of private citizens, local river oriented groups, local governments, corporations, river-centric organizations, and national governments, all focused on the enjoyment and preservation of rivers. An archive of whitewater related documents and objects to preserve the evolution of the whitewater sport is being assembled to protect the efforts of the advocates, champions, explorers, and pioneers that have gone before. The archive will also promote the responsible use of rivers and the development of resources and technologies not yet invented that will support the growth, enjoyment and conservation of rivers worldwide. World River Center and our primary partner, The International Whitewater Hall of Fame invite you to become an Advocate, Champion, Explorer, or Pioneer for river usage and protection. With thoughtful and engaging programming and education, these characteristics will define the river-oriented community in the future. Sincerely, Risa Shimoda, Chair and CEO World River Center, Inc. R 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY World River Centers are linked into a supportive network of facilities documenting the past and guiding the future of the whitewater sport/industry and conservation/education needed to protect and enjoy our rivers worldwide. The facilities are designed to attract funding and to be financially self-sufficient. This approach supports the effectiveness long term of our efforts. It also provides economic development for local communities, and provides youth with guidance in developing the skills needed to continue to support the whitewater community. Each World River Center will be locally owned and operated, but with support from World River Center and the International Whitewater Hall of Fame. Youth education programs will be based on competitions that teach the four characteristics that have enabled the whitewater community to evolve into the international phenomenon that it has become. World River Center in cooperation with our partner supporters assists local communities with grants and support to enable the development of concepts necessary for the securing of funding. We have also developed and continually refine “best practices” in both development and operations of World River Centers. This expands the base of support for funding and operational success. The WRC archive preserves the history of whitewater and also provides a searchable data-base of documents and artifacts. The archive is a wealth of information that is the primary tool used in our youth education programs. The work of developing the archive is never done. It will continue to capture current and future history, provide instruction, and be a resource for future generations. Many new resources will be developed in the future for World River Centers including expanding the youth education programs and an international celebration event at the annual induction ceremony for new International Whitewater Hall of Fame inductees which will include: an international youth competition based on regional and national winners of local competitions; an industry trade show for whitewater gear and equipment; and best practices training seminars for WRC staff and directors. The coming years will be both challenging and fun. World River Center, International Whitewater Hall of Fame, and our many other partners encourage you to participate in the World River Center project. 2

WRC/IWHoF World River Center is an outgrowth of the International Partners Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF). The need to protect the past and Affiliates accomplishments of the whitewater community and to join other river-oriented groups in protecting and enjoying rivers worldwide gave rise to World River Centers which is an advocate and provider of best practices and other resources protecting the future of rivers worldwide. World River Center has numerous partners and affiliates that support and participate in WRC/IWHoF programming. The American Canoe Association (ACA) and others are our partners in the United States; however, the list below of IWHoF affiliates illustrates the true international support WRC/IWHoF receives. We will continue to be an international organization connecting all nations in support of rivers worldwide. ACA | Canoe – Kayak – SUP – Raft – Rescue Irish Canoe Federation All Russian Kayak-Canoe Federation Israel Canoe Association American Whitewater Israel River Network Asian Canoe Federation Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation Japan Canoe Federation Asociacion Costarricense de Canoa Kayak Norway Kayak Session Europe Australian Canoeing Kayak Session USA Kenya Rowing and Canoe Association Austrian Canoe Federation Korea Canoe Federation Azerbaijan National Rowing Federation Latvian Canoe Federation Lithuanian Canoe Federation Belarus Canoe Association Malaysia Canoe Association Bosnia & Herzegovina Canoe Federation Mongolian Outdoor Sports Federation Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association British Canoe Union Netherlands Canoe Association/Nederlandse Kano Bond Canadian Canoe Association Norwegian Canoe Association/Norges Padleforbund NZ Canoeing Federation Inc. Canoe & Kayak Magazine New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association Canoe Federation of Kazakhstan Paddlesports Industry Association Polish Canoe Federation Canoe Federation of Serbia Rapid Media Canoe Kayak Federation Flatwater of Macedonia Slovak Canoe Association Canoeing and Rowing Association of Mozambique Spanish Canoe Federation/Real Federacion Espanola de Canoeing South Africa Piraguismo Chinese Canoeing Association Sudanese Rowing and Canoe Federation Confederation of African Canoeing Swedish Canoe Federation/Svenska Kanot Forbundent Swiss Canoe Federation/Schweizerischer Kanu-Verband Czech Canoe Union Turkish Canoe Federation Danish Canoe-Kayak Federation Uganda Canoeing/Kayak Federation Egyptian Rowing and Canoe Federation Ukranian Kayak & Canoe Federation US Freestyle Kayaking Association Estonian Canoe Federation USA Canoe and Kayak Ethiopian Canoe Federation West Virginia Professional River Outfitters (WVPRO) Federation Francaise de Canoe Kayak Zambia Amateur Rowing and Canoeing Association Finnish Canoe Federation Georgian Rowing and Canoe Federation German Canoe Federation Hellenic Canoe Kayak Federation Hong Kong Canoe Union Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association Indonesian Rowing and Canoeing Association International Rafting Federation 3

WORLD RIVER CENTER VISION World River Center sites, over the next 20 years, are envisioned to include locations in countries around the world. We will develop an International Festival and Awards Ceremony, hosted by WRC/IWHoF that may include: Ÿ The awards ceremony for newly elected inductees into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame Ÿ The awards ceremony for the youth education programs Ÿ Archive updates and developments Ÿ Training and education programs for Boards of Directors, WRC directors and staff, industry professionals, economic development professionals, conservationists, archivists, and others Ÿ Exhibits from industry, conservation, safety, and others Ÿ Social functions to promote international cooperation and exchange Ÿ Special events, demonstrations, and other activities 4

PROGRAMMING TO ATTRACT FUNDING Programming describes services that make up the visitor experience at WRC sites. Early programming concepts will set the foundation for the visitor experience and financial sustainability over the long term. WRC will help local sites achieve success with initial funding support and ongoing financial sustainability from operations. Objectives from our programming concepts that help achieve funding support are: 1. Expand the base of overall support for the initial funding of the project 2. Engage the residents of the local community so that significant future visitation and participation in programming takes place 3. Provide economic development for the region The primary engagement tool that will attract funders is education for teens. Education programs based on competitions that take place in WRC facilities will engage students and parents that might not otherwise participate in a river-based facility. Teens will attend WRC programs and compete in annual competitions created by IWHoF. The yearly competitions will culminate in a worldwide champion team being selected at the annual festival. Future education programs will include participation and support with universities, corporate, and government partners recruited for each WRC site. Local programs already in existence will be incorporated into WRC program if the local programs choose to participate. Design of WRC facilities are expected to include services directly connected to attracting visitors and creating revenue streams to support operations. Services such as food service, gift shop, tours, hiking, biking, equipment rental, etc. will attract visitors and create revenue streams. By providing programming and services that broaden the base of support, we are able to secure substantially more funding than would be possible without these services. 5

EDUCATION PROGRAMS World River Center and International Whitewater Hall of Fame education programs may be inspired by the common characteristics exhibited by the inductees into the IWHoF. These characteristics are the basis for which people will be inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame, and it is the reason we enjoy whitewater activities and have exceptional equipment today. Demonstrating how these characteristics have shaped the industry will connect youth at WRC sites with skills benefitting them the rest of their lives. Exposure to whitewater leisure activities and whitewater competition will also expand participation in river sports and enjoyment worldwide. Engaging youth in the riversport and influencing their lives as it has for the majority of people that participate in whitewater today, will enhance the use and enjoyment of rivers and increase awareness and protection efforts worldwide. R 6

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT World River Centers will require significant funding. To accomplish this, WRC sites are designed to attract funding. Tourism is a major economic engine for most of the world and World River Centers are designed to create tourism through our visitor experiences. The economic benefits for the community at large are self-evident. The benefit to World River Centers is the support received from local or national politicians as they recognize the attractiveness to the general population of jobs and economic stimulus. As part of an international network of WRC sites, a local WRC site will be able to provide visitors with whitewater boating excursions, tours, vacations, and related activities through the WRC network. Opening the world to local participants creates new revenue opportunities for each site. 7

WORLD RIVER CENTER Archive The World River Center is building an online archive of riversport documents and artifacts. We are actively searching for collaborators who can provide any of the following: (1) source material (2) paddling history (3) technical expertise (4) funding. The archive will also provide a resource for education programming linking future riversport participants to past and future accomplishments. If you are interested in contributing to the archive or partner with us to include your own archives and collections, please contact [email protected] 8

Most World River Center sites will include food services and a performing arts stage and music venue. Theatrical lighting, professional audio, curtains, back-of-house, and other facilities will make the stage a multi-functional resource. Food service is intended to be a social gathering space for people of all ages. Local breweries and other related vendors will be invited to participate by offering their products. This opportunity will market their brands and provide an opportunity for visitors to taste locally brewed beers, foods, wines, etc. The food service is intended to be a primary revenue source that funds WRC operations and provides economic development for the region. 9

Marketing is a major piece of the fundraising and tourism engagement provided by World River Centers. In addition to literature and coordination with other WRC sites worldwide, WRC will also provide web site development and social media marketing support through our partner donations. These services do not limit participation by individual WRC sites, rather they expand the effort by connecting with the world. WRC services enhance the overall impact of projects and their ability to raise funds. MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA 10

WORLD RIVER CENTER QUALITY STANDARDS After the grand opening, new sites will be run exclusively by the local organization. The site will have permission to use the World River Center and International Whitewater Hall of Fame brands for as long as the site maintains minimal acceptable standards set by WRC/IWHoF. An existing organization can also create a WRC site by agreeing to abide by WRC/IWHoF standards. World River Center and International Hall of Fame are internationally registered trademarks and the operation of a WRC site must conform to standards established by WRC/IWHoF. Regular inspections of the facilities ensure the sites compliance with minimal quality and safety standards. 151

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS Operation of WRC sites will generate numerous revenue streams, all of which will contribute to sustainable operations. Food service, gift shop, outfitter store, and equipment rental, etc. will all be managed and operated by local entrepreneurs, reducing staffing and other requirements from the WRC site ownership. 12

COMMUNITY SERVICES Services for the local community may include the retail shopping, food service, entertainment, locker storage for bikes and boats, education services for teens, events, competitions, and more. The concept for WRC sites is to serve the entire community. By offering services that may have little to do with whitewater paddling, WRC sites become more important to the local community and the local community may participate and support the site because of the expanded services. 173

HOW TO START A WORLD RIVER CENTER Creating A WRC site is as simple as contacting WRC and telling us of your interest. See the back cover for contact information. WRC will then deliver a working agreement for your consideration. After signing the agreement, WRC will begin discussion with you to learn more about your organization, what your community needs, potential programming and other elements. After your approval and acceptance of the general direction of the project, we will work with your organization to develop the project. Yes, it is a lot of work; but no, it is not impossible. The first step is for you to contact the World River Center! Jessica Fox, photo courtesy The Sports Examiner 14

World River Center Risa Shimoda, President 601 Hudson Ave., #102 Takoma Park, Maryland, USA 20912 [email protected] 001 (301) 585-4677 R 092919