​Gold Hill
Whitewater
Center
Mission
To restore Ti’lomikh Falls on the Rogue River in Gold Hill as a regional gathering place
that reminds us that we are each—in our own way—"people of the river"
Goals
To make the Gold Hill Whitewater Park accessible to more people in a variety of watercraft
by modifying the hazardous rapids in the channel known as Mugger’s Alley
​
To support events and programs including
the Salmon Ceremony, King of the Rogue Race, and Find Yourself on the Water
To create a venue worthy of holding the 2028 Olympic Whitewater events
​
​
Our Board​
Our project has Olympic and World Champion athletes and well as proven civic and business leaders who are determined to make it happen. Please join us to help make this grand goal come true.
Steve Kiesling
Steve built his first kayak at age 10 and then rowed for Yale and US Olympic Team. He founded what is now the Rogue Rowing Club and the Kiesling Family Playground and wrote The Shell Game and co-authored The Nike Cross Training System. He recently retired from being editor-in-chief of Spirituality & Health magazine to spend more time as president of the Gold Hill Whitewater Center and chair of the Gold Hill Parks Commission. Steve lives above the boathouse at Ti'lomikh Falls.
Oliver Fix
Oliver grew up kayaking in Augsburg, Germany, the site of the 1972 Olympic whitewater events. In 1995, he won the gold medal at the World Championships and in 1996 the Olympic Gold Medal for whitewater slalom. He coached the British Olympic Team to Silver & Bronze medals in 2004 and is a high performance coach for the US Olympic Team. Oliver owns Ostras! Tapas & Bottleshop on the Ashland plaza. He is married to Costa Rican Olympic paddler Gilda Montenegro-Fix.
Andy Baxter
Andy is a lifelong fitness expert and rower who has won the Masters World Championships and rowed with Steve at the 2008 Olympic Trials. He is also an avid whitewater raft racer who won a bronze medal with the US Rating Team at the 2017 World Rafting Championships in Dubai and placed 8th in 2018 in Japan. He is the owner of Baxter Fitness Solutions, and is an expert in creating world class training machines and programs.
Mary Bemis Kiesling
Mary is an expert on healing waters and all things related to spa. She created two national spa magazines: American Spa and Organic Spa and is editorial director of Insidersguidetospas.com and a founder of the Washington Spa Alliance. Married to Steve Kiesling, Mary lives at Ti'lomikh Falls. Her passion for the whitewater park is directed toward youth programs and involvement.
Paul Clark
Paul was a partner at Paul Hastings, an LA-based international law firm, and is now a resident of Ashland. He is co-owner of Eagle Aerial Solutions, a tech company focusing on water conservation software and analytic services. He has served as and instructor at Southern Oregon University’s Master in Management program. Paul’s legal and business skills greatly support our whitewater development efforts..
Partners/Supporters
​
GHWC has received funding from:
​
The State of Oregon
The City of Gold Hill
Oregon Community Foundation
The Rogue River Greenway Foundation
The Dishman Family Foundation
Gold Hill Community Development Organization
Travel Medford
Travel Southern Oregon
GHWC has letters of support from:
Jackson County Board of Commissioners
The City of Gold Hill
SOREDI USA Canoe/Kayakand Travel Medford.
GHWC has businesses sponsors including
​
Sawyer Paddles & Oars
SOTAR Rafts
Rogue Rafting Company
Hilton Fuel
Knife River
Dutch Bros.
Ken Brown Construction
Caldera Brewing Company
REI
Sportsman's Warehouse