Rising Stars: Meet Don Howdyshell of Downtown Cuyahoga Falls

Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Howdyshell.

Hi Don, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love for rivers and water started as a child when my parents took us canoeing or hiking along the Cuyahoga River. As a Cuyahoga Falls native, we explored local parks and spent time by the river regularly, engraving a passion for the outdoors and an ethos of respect for nature in me. That pull faded briefly when I joined the Marines from 1999 to 2003, trading riverbanks for barracks. But when I returned home, the Cuyahoga called me back—I’d missed its flow and the parks that shaped me.

In my 20s, I started kayaking recreationally, rediscovering the river I’d grown up with. By my 30s, I was hooked on whitewater, aiming to paddle off waterfalls someday. My journey kicked off in 2015, and in 2016, I helped coordinate the Cuyahoga Falls Kayak Race, co-founded by the late Tommy Piros and Nic Williams. The races ended in 2019, evolving into the Cuyahoga Falls Fest—a freestyle whitewater event now in its tenth year, pulling paddlers from across states and thousands of spectators. That same river passion drove me to act after the 2013 dam removals left pollution strewn across the Cuyahoga’s banks and water. My parents and I started cleanups, a habit rooted in their rule to “always leave a place better than you found it.” Locals noticed, and soon the Keel Haulers Canoe Club joined in, along with businesses like Burning River Adventures and Float the River. Eventually, the city stepped up, supplying dumpsters for us to fill as I organized more cleanups. Over time, the city and those local companies launched their own efforts, focusing on recreational spots and riverside parks. The river’s water quality and appeal have shot up recently, but I still join cleanups—urban rivers need constant care, and now parks, cities, businesses, and citizens all pitch in on a yearly schedule.

I’ve been paddling whitewater for 10 years now, suffered a few injuries, and for many years logged over 200 days on the water in a single calendar year. I’ve paddled rivers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and just got back from Africa’s Zambezi River. Luckily, sponsors and partnerships from the Cuyahoga Falls Fest and the paddling community have kept me going—Jackson Kayak, Immersion Research, Werner Paddles, and NRS have played a big part in keeping me geared up and on the water. For the last decade, my life has been completely consumed by whitewater. Sponsors like them have kept me equipped, but it’s the river itself that’s shaped me most. Beyond the gear and the miles, whitewater kayaking has become more than a sport—it’s a way of living, a constant dance with nature’s power.

Whitewater kayaking is a lifestyle where one dances with the raw, untamed power of nature. It impacts the essence of life—the joy found in moving with the current, the fear of what’s uncertain, and the humility in recognizing that water cannot be controlled, only respected. Each rapid is a challenge, a test of skill and determination, where fear and excitement dissolve into a state of pure focus—one becomes calm within chaos, and every movement feels instinctive and intentional. Success comes not from conquering a rapid or river, but from learning to move with it, to let its power guide you rather than resist. When I navigate a rapid successfully, it’s as if I have unlocked a hidden rhythm of the world, a moment of pure connection and accomplishment.

Whitewater kayaking teaches camaraderie; the river forges bonds between paddlers as they navigate its trials together, reminding us of the strength found in shared support. It is an escape from the ordinary and an immersion into something primal—a reminder that, like the river, life flows unpredictably, and our role is not to fight what cannot be controlled, but to adapt and embrace the journey and its lessons. Whitewater rivers, like a mentor, teach patience, resilience, and respect. Their lessons shape character—not just by offering experiences, but by showing that true strength lies in adaptability, humility, and the willingness to grow through every challenge they present.

My local Legends:
The entire Piros and Homberg families, their passion for the sport played a tremendous role in my growth as a paddler. Namely, Dan and the late Tommy Piros, who have been my heroes, mentors, and great friends.
Nic Williams, equal parts mentor and friend on and off the water.
Ross Crocker, always ready to paddle and showcasing abilities to strive towards.
Ian Allan, giving me an opportunity to learn what being a mentor truly means – becoming a mentor himself – and growing that into a friendship outside of paddling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth ride? Not always. The biggest hurdles are overcoming fears of failure leading to potential consequences, pushing my skills, hitting personal goals, and aging in a sport that tests your body. Every river brings mental battles—anxiety over what’s around the bend, doubts about pulling off a line. I’ve learned to visualize success, picturing each move until it feels real. That trick helps with goals too, in all facets of life. Mistakes? They happen. They humble you fast, but the key is learning from them, not dwelling on them. Injuries come with the territory—I’ve had my share—but they’ve only fueled my drive to get back out there.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There are a lot of whitewater paddlers out there, and like most hobbies, you’ve got people who dabble casually and others who make it their whole lifestyle. What sets me apart is my dedication—how much time I’ve poured into the sport. I started later in life, and that lit a fire under me; I felt like I had no time to lose. So, I gave up all my other hobbies and threw every spare minute into catching up with peers who’d been at it for years. I practiced whenever I could, hitting the water every chance I got, and traveled most weekends to paddle different rivers. In this sport, experience isn’t about how many years you’ve been paddling—it’s about the hours you log in the boat on the water. I was out there five or more days a week, racking up as many hours as possible. In just a few months, I’d put in more time than some people manage in a couple of years. That grind opened doors to paddle with higher-skilled athletes, letting me soak up real expert experience. That’s the key to standing out: surround yourself with better paddlers and keep pushing to improve every minute you can spare.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Start with clubs, finding them in your area. In north eastern Ohio, the Keel Haulers (KHCC) or Three Rivers Paddling Club (TRPC)—find them online or social media. They mix beginners with pros, building bonds fast. Look for folks who match your pace—some ease in, others jump headfirst. Branch out, find your crew, and let them guide you toward your goals.

Pricing:

• 500-3000

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @donhowdyshell
• Other: @cfallsfest

Image Credits
Stuck in Ohio