Jerry Meral and John Googins on the river

Jerry Meral (in back with canoe paddle) and John Googins (front, red kayak) were among the most prominent canoeists/kayakers of the 1960s and early 1970s. Jerry was a PhD scientist who founded what became Friends of the River, was part of the first runs on the Tuolumne, and is a passionate boater and conservationist. John was an early film-maker of river kayaking, and also part of many first kayak descents on California rivers.