good thread. this is going to date me and be long so heads up. but the people who influence(d) my riding the most would be:
Steve Schumann
the Philly crew guys: Brian Boston, Casey Murphy, DAN BARRETT, etc.
Whitewater shredders like JOHN and MATT ANDRUS, Ryan Grant
other great people I've ridden with or seen ride: Jesse Macaluso, Josh Toy, and MATT MCKEEN, Jon Reyes and his crew, and Joey Aria
other greats: Silas Henderson, Martin Kimbell, Ryan Whetstone, KC Corning, Stephen Tongson, Dibble, BK
then the guys from around here: Ryan Upchurch, Jon Devrind, Tommy Christiana, Matt Lashbrook, etc.
lots more but just had to get the ones off the top of my head. Good memories just thinking of those dudes and the progression of the sport so far <3