About this episode
Les Bechdel is a river runner, an outfitter, an author of the first comprehensive book on modern river rescue techniques, a kayaker, a husband, a catarafter, a father, a river ranger, a grandfather, an instructor, and a soldier. In the 1980s, river rescue became a more organized and developed concept and practice, and Les Bechdel was at the center of that movement. In 1985, the first edition of the book "RIVER RESCUE" was published with Les and Slim Ray as the authors. The book is now in its 4th edition. Les was selling kayaks during the transition from fiberglass to plastic. Eventually, he moved to Idaho from North Carolina with his family and started a river outfitting company in the Salmon River system that is still thriving today. Beyond all of that, Les is a kind and open man who tells stories of a life shaped by rivers and family. AW Bio Bio article
River Rescue: A Manual for Whitewater Safety, 4th Edition
By Les Bechdel & Slim Ray
Les Bechdel "Guidefather" 1996, newspaper article
Southern Appalachian Whitewater Hall of Fame
Bio Bio accident report from American Whitewater, 1981
Payson Kennedy, episode on The River Radius, Apple Podcasts
Payson Kennedy, episode on The River Radius, Spotify
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