Roger Parsons has been inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF) Class of 2025 in the Pioneer category — honouring a lifetime of passion, leadership, and volunteerism that helped shape whitewater paddling in Canada from the ground up.
Roger’s introduction to whitewater began in 1959, when his love of adventure as a climber led him to the rapids — and he never looked back. Over more than five decades, he became one of the sport’s most influential figures, known for building Canada’s whitewater community through tireless dedication and hands-on work.
He wore many hats — instructor, coach, race organizer, founder, international official, trainer of officials, recruiter, mentor, promoter, fundraiser, boat builder, and designer. Remarkably, Roger did it all as a volunteer, often funding his own travel and even contributing to his own fundraising efforts. He famously used his vacation days to work on the Minden Wild Water Preserve project, spending nearly every Friday from spring through fall on-site to help bring the world-class facility to life.
Through his mentorship, organization-building, and personal sacrifice, Roger laid the foundation for generations of paddlers to follow. His influence can be felt in every aspect of the sport today — from local club programs to international events.
Join us on May 2, 2026, at the Canadian Canoe Museum as we celebrate Roger Parsons and the 2025 IWHOF Inductees — an evening surrounded by history, culture, and craftsmanship – https://iwhof.org/2025induction/
To read more about Roger and his dedication to whitewater, please click here – https://iwhof.org/honoree/roger-parsons/