The Hudson River Whitewater Derby, the nationally known canoe competition originated in North Creek in 1958 by the Johnsburg Fish and Game Club, started as a one-day eight-mile downriver race. There were 25 craft on the river representing 44 entrants.

The community-wide effort was so successful that despite a deficit of $85 in the operating budget for that first race, the contest was expanded in 1959 to a two-day event, with the addition of the popular slalom runs.

According to the report filed by Chuck Severance, total outlay for the inaugural race was $220. Income amounted to $135.

Itemized expenses were postage, $15; trophies, $90; medals, $25; certificates, $20; numbered tags, $25,; rope and miscellaneous, $15; and badges, $30.

Income from the entry fees was $69; badge sales, $60 and medal sales, $6.

Winners in the four competing classes in that first run were:

• F-1 Robert Field, Connecticut, 1 hour, 4 minutes, 39 seconds. This was also the best overall time.
• F-2 Geza Boray, Ontario Voyageurs, and Harry Voege, New York City. 1:06:56.
• C-2M- Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNair, Buck Ridge, N.C., 1:07:11
• C-2- Peter and Paul Oliver of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 1:06:23

For the 1960 White Water Derby, more than 15,000 persons lined both sides of the Hudson River from the bridge at North Creek to Riverside to witness the Johnsburg Fish and Game Club's downriver classic in which 48 entries whipped the white water.

It was part of North Creek's third and most successful (at that time) Derby which saw 126 contestants participating compared with 104 in 1959.

Paul Bruhin, New York City, repeated as the downriver winner.

Rating the greatest applause at the awards ceremony were Bill Stetson of North Creek and Gordon Stetson of Pottersville, who won the new Golden Johnsburg trophy for local participants in the downriver race. There were 11 entries from the Town of Johnsburg.

Dr. Homer Dodge, at 72, the oldest participant, was master of ceremonies, aided by Charles R. Severance, Derby chairman, and Enoch Squires of radio station WGY, Schenectady. Dr. Dodge won 3rd place in his class in the race, after finishing second the year before.

Giant slalom winner was Richard Shaner, Northfield, Ohio, who also was 2nd in the downriver race.

Roy Durkin, president of the sponsoring club, said the races were held not as a profit-making venture, but rather "as a promotion of better and more use of one of the least appreciated natural features of New York's Adirondack Region, the Hudson River."

In 1961, Richard Shaner, again, with a best time of 54 minutes, 35 seconds, won the downriver race. Paul Bruhin of New York City, the defending champion, was second in 55 minutes, 21 seconds.

A North Creek trophy for a local entry's best all-around performance was won by Ray Allard and Chip Sullivan.

State Conservation Commissioner Harold G. Wilm commended the Fish and Game Club on its fine work. Bill Carpenter was master of ceremonies for the awarding of prizes at Riparius, and Charles R. Severance, general chairman of the Derby, presented the awards.

Increasing popularity of the event provided a banner field for the 5th Annual Whitewater Derby in 1962. Several strong teams were entered, including the Ontario Voyageurs, and well-known paddlers from Williams College, Norwich University, Penn State, Syracuse University, Paul Smith's College, Wanakena, and other leading colleges and universities.