About Us

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Lee has been actively involved in paddling for 40+ years. He is an Olympic  coach, long-time NRC volunteer, and chairman of the American Canoe Association’s Competition Committee. Lee coaches the NRC youth slalom team locally and works with elite athletes on the World Cup and World Championships circuits. He lives in Bryson City, NC with his wife, Jean, and their daughter, Evy, who represented Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

Graham's son, Sam, is an avid kayaker who competes in slalom, kayak cross, and creek boating. 

Brian started whitewater kayaking  when boats were pointed on both ends, and few were made of plastic.  He was asked to judge at Age Group Nationals years ago when he came down to paddle and watch a friend’s son race and has   enjoyed volunteering at NRC events ever since.  Dr. Reeder is a Professor of  Biology at Morehead State University and lives with his partner, Dr. Lynn Haller (Psychology), in Morehead, KY.

Jen lives in Bryson City, NC, with her husband, Derek, and their daughter, Carden. 

Evy is a member of the U.S. National Canoe Slalom Team and competes in Women's Canoe (WC1), Women's Kayak (WK1), and Kayak Cross.  She is a two-time World Champion, a Pan American Champion, and an Olympian. At age 15, Evy became the youngest canoe slalom athlete ever to medal at a World Cup. 

Rob paddles regularly with the NRC. He started kayaking in 1987 and has been immersed in whitewater ever since for work and play: competing on the U.S. Freestyle Team, guiding rafts, teaching kayaking, and even designing kayaks. Today, Rob applies his raft guiding skills to piloting private jets. 

Leigh grew up vacationing on the Nantahala River with her family. Today, she is VP of Nantahala Outdoor Center, and in her 25th year with the company. 

Lisa enjoys hiking, fishing, hiking, and kayaking with her husband, Tony, and their three children. She is an office assistant at Mountain Discovery Charter School. 

Steve has been a driving force of the NRC since the early 1990s. His hands-on involvement with the Club has ranged from organizing pool sessions to soliciting sponsorships, driving policy, and acting as Club historian. Steve is perhaps best known for his role as The Starter at NRC races on the Nantahala. Many notable paddling personalities in the Southeast can brag about starting their paddling careers in the pool or on the river with Steve.