Bob Bofinger and Jack Dawson competing in Slalom C2 on the Blackwater River in New Hampshire in 1995.
My journey in paddlesports began in the 1960s when I earned the Canoeing Merit Badge as a Boy Scout just northeast of Philadelphia, PA. I grew up in the small town of Edgely, along the Delaware River. Mr. Bob Swangler, our Scout instructor, brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to our training. His teaching style, mentorship, and positive attitude were inspiring.
This early experience led to weeklong canoe trips on the Delaware River and competing in races using 17-foot aluminum Grumman canoes. A highlight each year was the “Paddlerama,” a two-day, 50-mile canoe relay race with tandem teams completing 8–10-mile legs each day. We trained hard, had fun, and formed a team called “The Cool Dudes.” I even played the guitar and wrote songs to keep the spirit alive. It was then that I knew paddling would be a lifelong journey.
I was fortunate to grow up in a very supportive family—my dad (Bill), mom (Dot), sister (Diane), and brother (John). We spent weekends camping, canoeing, swimming, and pursuing outdoor adventures. We were all goal-oriented, and I closely followed John’s example, especially in sports and Scouting. Our dad became our Scoutmaster, and both John and I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In high school, I played soccer and ran track and field in both winter and spring.
The paddling “fever” grew as I connected with other Scout troops and local clubs, including the Philadelphia Canoe Club. Many of us began building our own closed boats—kayaks and canoes—and we entered slalom and downriver races in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and West Virginia. We trained hard and kept improving. I eventually rented a mold to build a Max Series C1 (from the Hearn/Lugbill designs), and I also built a Gemini C2 with offset cockpits, using a mold from Steve Chamberlain.
In 1978, I enrolled at Penn State University and earned an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Structural Engineering. While in college, I paddled local rivers and joined the Harrisburg Area Canoe Club. We raced every year on Codorus Creek. After college, I began my career as a crane designer with Grove Manufacturing (now Manitowoc Cranes) in Shady Grove, PA, while continuing to race and train in my free time.
Everything changed in 1980 when I met Rustan Hill at the Tariffville Race on the Farmington River in Connecticut. He invited me to train with him in Germantown, Maryland. Three days a week, I made the hour-long drive and often stayed with his family on weekends. This connected me with an incredible community of paddlers and coaches, including Bill Endicott and Ben Sandiford, and gave me the chance to seriously pursue elite-level competition.
Rustan and I competed at the 1981 Wildwater Team Trials on the Lower Youghiogheny River, vying for a spot on the U.S. Wildwater Team to compete in Bala, Wales. I continued qualifying for the team and eventually moved to Maryland, working for Bechtel Corporation. I later partnered with Howard Foer, and in 1982, we won Nationals and Team Trials on the Ocoee River, TN. That year, we represented the U.S. at the World Championships on the Passer River in Merano, Italy, placing 17th.
After Worlds, I decided it was time to start dating. Though my coworkers didn’t help with a blind date, I got the courage to reach out to Debbie Rhoderick in Frederick, Maryland. We clicked instantly, sharing similar values and love for the outdoors. We married in May 1985 and built a beautiful life together, raising three daughters: Sarah (1986), Rebekah (1990), and Hannah (1991). While I wasn’t competing as often, we made time for family canoeing and camping adventures.
I stayed connected to the sport, serving as Finish Judge for the Wildwater Pre-Worlds in 1988 and the 1989 World Championships on the Savage River in Maryland. But I missed racing, so in 1992, I built a slalom C2 and invited my Scout canoeing partner, Jack Dawson, to join me in Maryland. Together, we raced both slalom and wildwater, qualifying for the 1994 U.S. Wildwater Team to compete once again in Bala, Wales. We also competed at the 1996 U.S. Slalom Team Trials on the Ocoee River.
I continued racing through 2006 while also embarking on a new journey in coaching. In 2005, I started coaching a club girls’ soccer team, which led to a high school coaching position at my daughter’s school. Over the years, I’ve coached more than 40 soccer teams, including indoor, outdoor, and even the women’s college team at Frederick Community College. While I wasn’t competing as much in paddling, I still enjoyed paddling rivers in my spare time.
In 2018, news of the upcoming 2020 Wildwater Worlds on the Nantahala River reignited my passion. I trained hard and qualified for the Master Team in C1. Though the event was canceled due to COVID, the training renewed my drive and brought new friendships. Today, I’m proud to be an athlete on the 2024 U.S. Wildwater Team, competing in both C1 and C2 at the World Championships in Sabero, Spain.
In February 2022, I became Chairman of the USA Wildwater Committee, working to grow and support the sport across the country. I’m also proud to continue my professional career as a Structural Engineer with the Maryland Department of Transportation – State Highway Administration, where I bring the same passion for precision and teamwork that paddling has taught me.
Last year, Deb and I had a tandem marathon canoe built by Savage River in Oakland, MD, and we completed the 70-mile General Clinton Canoe Regatta on the Susquehanna River in New York. The joy of paddling, exploring rivers, and experiencing the natural world continues to enrich our lives.
Paddling has been, and always will be, a lifelong journey—and one I’m proud to share with the ACA and our incredible paddling community.
Thank you to Bob Bofinger for contributing “It Started with a Merit Badge” to the ACA Story Project. Your story captures a lifetime of dedication to paddling — from your Boy Scout beginnings to your leadership today — and reminds us how one spark can lead to a lifetime of impact on and off the water.
About the Author
Bob Bofinger is the USA Wildwater Chairman, a National Team Member, and a many-time USA National Champion. He first discovered paddling through the Boy Scouts and has been a passionate advocate, competitor, and mentor in the sport ever since. This year, Bob is helping bring the 2025 USA Wildwater National Championships to the Potomac River — marking the first time Nationals have been held at this iconic venue.