Paddler News Feed

 

•	Features
•	Innuendos
•	Destinations
•	Gear
•	Skills

< Mar/Apr 2001
	Features
River Runner Timeline

Paddler magazine didn’t just emerge from the depths of a remote pourover. Its predecessor, River Runner, paved the way for paddlesports 10 years before joining forces with several other magazines to form Paddler in 1991. Since River Runner would have celebrated its 20th birthday this year, following is a historical--albeit old school--tribute to that pioneer publication of yesteryear.

Fall 1981
River Runner magazine is born under Editor/Publisher Dave McCourtney in Powell Butte, Ore. Cover shows rafter plunging down the Middle Fork's Dagger Falls. Perception highlights new line of kayaks (the 13'1" Mirage;12'1" Eclipse; and 13'2" Quest), as well as the 13'6" HD1 canoe, on back cover. Canham Whitewater Accessories takes inside back cover with ad showing girl in a bikini. Editorial includes highlights of the Ocoee Festival; a feature on the Middle Fork; and review of Bill McGinnis' new book, Whitewater Rafting.

Winter 1981
Cover shot is of Chile's Bio Bio, with an account by Richard Bangs of its first descent; new equipment: wool socks.

Spring 1982
Ad from Yukon Jack,; NRS touts new $1,400 sport raft; contributors include Ken Horwitz, Michael Bowker, Cecil Kuhne, Verne Huser and Jeff Rennicke.

Summer/Fall 1982
Maravia enters scene with full-page ad; editorial includes profile on Nantahala Outdoor Center; and a first descent of the Zambezi by Richard Bangs.

Winter 1982
Back cover touts Hydra's new Taurus by Tom Johnson.

Spring 1983
Best Flips of '82

Summer 1983
Hydra debuts monstrous Mustang on back cover; Cecil Kuhne publishes first in long line of "How to Cook with a Dutch Oven" stories.

Fall 1983
Profile of long-haired hairboater and Yakima rack founder Don Banducci.

February 1984
New publisher, Mark Affleck, moves magazine to Vista, Calif., under Rancher Publications. Gregg Payne becomes editor-in-chief, and magazine gets face lift from Psychology Today designer. Perception debuts Dancer ad. Mohawk showcases new whitewater canoe. Editorial: Slim Ray on Costa Rica's Pacuare.

December 1984
Tuolomne gains Wild and Scenic status; "Dawn of the Drysuit;" North America's first man-made slalom course appears in South Bend, Ind.; profile on expedition paddler Royal Robbins; and Body Glove touts new wetsuit line.

February 1985
Mark Larson becomes new editor-in-chief. Editorial board formed, including Richard Bangs, Verne Huser, Charlie Walbridge, David Brown and Jim Stohlquist. Stories appear by Larry Rice and Bob Woodward, and magazine unveils "Best Crashes" section.

May 1985
Yet another new publisher: Richard Birchall. Stories include Payson Kennedy on private paddlers vs. outfitters debate; Perception Sabre review by Dugald Bremner; and William Nealy debuts first cartoon, entitled "The Amazing Ginsu K-1 Paddle."

August 1985
Self-bailing raft inventor Jim Cassady writes story on Class V rafting; first-ever river sandal review; inside FERC.

Fall 1985
Deliverance a Decade Later.

February 1986
River Runner Rendezvous in Telluride, Colo., featuring oar toss competition and ammo can tug-of-war; First Ender photo published; Fletcher Anderson's thumbs-down review of the Quick Release Kayak Safety Deck for Hydra's Mustang.

April 1986
Perception Dancer finally appears on cover; Knoxville Whitewater Festival aims to be the "Indianapolis 500 of Canoesport."

May 1986
First raft and open canoe descent of the Colorado's Gore Canyon.

June 1986
"Raftobatics"; River Runner's first "experimental" photo spread; and using RVs to run river trips.

August 1986
Bob McDougal makes the cover popping a new school endo; California women form All Women's Exploratory Rafting Team (All WET).

September 1986
Boat review: Hydra Dragonfly; graphic re-design places all ads at front and back of magazine.

February 1988
Durango, Colo.'s Ken Hulick takes over editorial reins; Davey Hearn appears on cover; first annual Buyer's Guide; second descent of lower Niagara Gorge, after first descent in 1981 for American Sportsman.

April 1988
Advanced reservation permit system issued for the Colorado's Westwater Canyon.

May 1988
10 classic rivers; new Eskimo roll record by Quebec's Yolland Marcotte: 100 handrolls in 2 minutes, 34 seconds.

August 1988
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 20 Years After; Ken Warren's ill-fated Sino-USA Upper Yangtze River Expedition; Dagger Canoe Company formed.

December 1988
New publisher: Miles Burke; first of countless Guide School stories; Mohawk debuts XL-13; sport yaks come of age.

February 1989
Greg Barton wins unprecedented two gold medals in K-1 and K-2 sprint at 1988 Olympics.

April 1989
REI appears in full-page ad; River Runner Sweepstakes and Descent Awards announced; debut of "Ask Dr. Surf"; Prijon T-Canyon review.

June 1989
1989 Savage River World Championships; Noah makes ad debut; current paddler publisher/editor-in-chief Eugene Buchanan hits limelight with first River Runner story: "Alaska Oil Spill Watch in Prince William Sound."

August 1989
Cully Erdman recounts trip to Agua Azul in 1984.

December 1989
U.S. Canoe and Kayak Team takes over jurisdiction of slalom racing.

April 1990
New publishers: Robert Tanner/Jim Ellis; new editor: Rand Green; Wave Sport introduces Lazer; first Champion International Whitewater Series announced.

August 1990
Project RAFT goes to the Nantahala; magazine increases paper stock.

December 1990
River Runner debuts first pull-out Calendar.

February 1991
River Runner's last issue; Topolino review; Eastern Professional River Outfitters (EPRO) and Western River Guides Association (WRGA) merge to form American Outdoors.

April 1991
River Runner, Canoe Sport Journal and Canadian Paddler merge to form Paddler, under editorship of Harry Roberts. River Runner disappears into eternal mystery move.