News and Events
Paddling Community Loses Whitewater Pioneer
Aug 30, 2011
John L. Berry of Belchertown, MA, died peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 11 at the age of 86. Berry lived in Bethesda, Maryland and was an outstanding whitewater canoeist and competitor.A resident of Belchertown, MA since 1989, Berry paddled on the nearby Swift River daily until this past year. John truly made his mark in the whitewater world. He began his racing career in 1956 at the Brandywine Slalom, was a National C-1 and C-2 Champion in 1960-61 and a member of the first US World Championship whitewater team in 1961.
John Berry designed the ME and the Flashback, both produced by Mad River Canoe. He founded Millbrook Boats in Waitsfield, VT, original home of Mad River Canoe, before relocating into the depths of the Adirondacks to Riparius, NY. As a pioneer in open canoe whitewater, Berry's designs were radical for the time and geometrically expanded the horizons of open boat whitewater.
John L. Berry will be sorely missed in the paddling community.
Click here to read on about Berry's life accomplishments.
