Bill Bickham

“Beat Bickham” was the rallying cry of his opponents in the early 1960’s.

Bill was on the first descent of the Upper Yough in 1959, along with Tom Smyth and Dave Kurtz. His swim earned him the privilege of having a rapid named after him — Bickham’s Tree Rapid — although today boaters will know the rapid as Meatcleaver. But he’s better known as a champion slalom race. For a few years, Bill was dominating the races, becoming national champion multiple times. He was profiled in Sports Illustrated (photo above), and even once had the honor of racing C-2 with Robert Kennedy.

Bill Bickham – Cucumber Rapid 1959 — Bill Bickham at Cucumber Rapid the day before the first descent in 1959.

Bill Bickham – Lining through National 1959 — Bill Bickham lining boats through National, 1959.

Scan-140127-0002 — Bill Bickham at finding "Bickham's Tree", later named Meatcleaver,on the first descet in 1959

Dimples2a-19610916 — Bill Bickham attempting to remove the "Dimples" canoe.

Bickham Cucumber — Bill Bickham below Cucumber Rapid

Bickham SI Photoshoot 2 — Bill Bickham photographed for Sports Illustrated.

Bickham and Heinzerling Racing — Bill Bickham racing with Bill Heinzerling

Bickham Heinzerling UY Bickham Heinzerling 62 — Bill Bickham at Heinzerling rapid, 1962

See More Upper Yough History

The Little Town In The Woods

February 5, 2021

Kendall is the name most people remember. But it wasn't the first name of the little town a few miles above Friendsville, nestled tightly between the river and its canyon walls.

Rapid Names

3 Comments

November 6, 2014

Boaters have been running the Upper Yough for over 60 years. Contained within that period are a myriad of stories, and a select few have given birth to rapid names.

What Almost Wasn’t

2 Comments

February 5, 2021

There were supposed to be dams at Swallow Falls and Sang Run.

Bill Bickham

“Beat Bickham” was the rallying cry of his opponents in the early 1960’s.

See More Upper Yough History

The Little Town In The Woods

Rapid Names

What Almost Wasn’t

Bastard Falls

Wright’s Hole

A First Descent

Recent Posts

Bill Bickham

“Beat Bickham” was the rallying cry of his opponents in the early 1960’s.

See More Upper Yough History

Tags

Recent Posts