Leslie Beninato

Growing up in north Georgia, Leslie Beninato developed a love for paddling at an early age. She enjoyed flatwater canoeing and ocean kayaking throughout high school. She later attended Appalachian State University graduating with a degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management. Asheville was Leslie’s next stop and the French Broad River became her second home. During COVID she paddled the entire length of the river taking in all of the history and enjoying the variety of birdlife. She then put her Appalachian State degree to work and began her own canoe business. “The Asheville Canoe House” offers canoe trips on the French Broad River through the Biltmore Estate and the River Arts District and also multi day rentals. Prior to Helene, Leslie was working for a local outfitter guiding whitewater rafting trips down Section 9 of the French Broad River, driving party buses and leading e-bike tours of Asheville. After the flood she began organizing her own river cleanups through the River Arts District. Removing debris from the water that her canoes routinely traveled – it just made sense. When Leslie is not at the Mothership organizing everything down to the last zip tie – she enjoys spending time in nature and especially being on the water.