Leland Davis

For more than 35 years, Leland Davis has been a fixture in Western North Carolina’s paddling community. A professional guide, mentor, and paddling-program leader, Leland has helped generations of boaters explore the rivers of the Southeast, exemplifying preparation and safety in his whitewater exploits. In 1996, he founded and directed the first several years of the Green River Narrows Race, helping create one of the Southeast’s most iconic whitewater events. He also wrote the first online guide to the Green Narrows. Leland also contributed through his guidebooks. North Carolina Rivers & Creeks became a go-to resource for boaters throughout the region, followed by The River Gypsies’ Guide to North America, a 400-page guide covering nearly 300 of North America’s finest whitewater runs. A pioneer. An innovator. A mentor. A storyteller. A legend.