Meet the Guides

I first got into rafting when I was around 14 years old because of my father. Being hired at Orange Torpedo Trips brought me closer to what I loved doing with my Dad and helped me appreciate all the small things that happen on the river. Seeing people's smiles is the best part of the job, especially at the end of the trip when everyone is talking about their favorite rapid or the wildlife they saw.

• Hometown: Lake Oswego, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Fish Ladder on the Lower Rogue
• Favorite part of a trip: Seeing others enjoy the water
• Certifications: CPR and AED

I grew up on the Rogue River and have been rafting since I was a kid. My favorite part about guiding is meeting people from all over the world, helping them create lasting memories, and spending every day outdoors.

• Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Mule Creek Canyon
• Favorite part of a trip: Paradise Lodge
• Certifications: CPR and AED

I started my guiding career in summer of 2017. I carry the name as a 3rd generation river guide. I enjoy this job over the rest because our customers always show up to have a fun time and the vibes are good. I work with OTT to uphold our traditions and saga as one of the best whitewater experiences in the world.

• Hometown: City of Rogue River
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Inner-tubing the Class IVs, Mule Creek Canyon and Blossom Bar
• Favorite part of a trip: Stargazing
• Certifications: CPR and AED, IRF Level III Trip Leader

I got thrown into guiding randomly after landing a summer job at an outdoor adventure organization, and now it is one of my favorite parts of being alive! I adore getting to guide for OTT, to spend my weekends on the beautiful Rogue River, and to see the fear on people's faces turn to pure joy as they go through their first rapid!

• Hometown: Coulee City, Washington
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Upper Galice
• Favorite part of a trip: Saving people who flip
• Certifications: CPR and AED

Favorite River: Salmon River Off-season Pursuit: Operates Salmon River Drifters What I love about being a guide: Sharing my backyard with people who have never seen it before.

I used to be a kindergarten teacher in another life! I found the pipeline to guiding in that it still feels like I’m herding cats sometimes, just in the most beautiful outdoor classroom. After leaving teaching and the Midwest, I guided for several years in Montana on the Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork and Gallatin rivers. I found my way to the Main Salmon eventually and fell in love with multi-day river trips. You can’t beat sleeping under the stars, sharing meals on the beach with your crew, and the beautiful bond you form with the boat you get to tirelessly rig and de-rig day after day. I really liked getting to know customers more personally over 6-day trips and watching them connect with nature. I found a home with Orange Torpedo and now work my dream job with my best friends guiding the Salmon River every week. Life is but a dream!

• Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Lochsa River
• Favorite part of a trip: Waking up mid-trip and realizing I’ve forgotten what day it is and that I’ve fully succumbed to river time.
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Trip Leader Certification

I’ve been coming on river trips with OTT since I was 4 years old. The river has always been, and likely always will be, my favorite place to be. I believe the Wild and Scenic River sections are some of the last places on earth where you can take a vacation that really allows you to be fully present with the people you care about. My favorite part of the job is watching kids come on trips and seeing their faces light up like mine did when I was their age.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Amazon Queen on the North Umpqua
• Favorite part of a trip: Meeting all the awesome people who choose an adventure as their vacation!
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Trip Leader Certification

Born and raised in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I was grown up inspired by friends and family to seek out outdoor adventure. Thanks to them I found thrill in the snow, on trail, and even in the rivers. Being a guide on whitewater is one of my favorite ways to work, get outside, and meet people from all over. Before me, my older sister worked for Orange Torpedo Trips, and showed me a great community to become a part of.

• Hometown: Truckee, California
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Ti’lomik Falls (Powerhouse)
• Favorite part of a trip: Backflips off the boats
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Wilderness First Aid

Favorite River: Lower Salmon

I started guiding in the summer of 2019, I had no idea what I was doing at the time but I loved every second of it. I fell in love with OTT and the river and it's a place I never want to leave. The Rogue River Canyon is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I love going down there regardless of the trip. The amount of amazing people and connections I've made over the years are some I will never forget.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Wright Creek
• Favorite part of a trip: The confidence the guest gets from the beginning of a trip to the end
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED

I was born and raised in Merlin. OTT and the Rogue River were my backyard, and I have a deep and rich history with the company stemming back to my childhood. Guiding well requires a ceaseless drive to improve, and I love that element of the craft. OTT is truly a team-based approach to wilderness adventure and, like sport, it’s a beautiful thing to see the guides working as a cohesive unit in service of making these experiences magical for guests.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Fawn Falls to the Submarine Hole on the Illinois River
• Favorite part of a trip: Connecting with people and seeing them grow from trepidation to triumph over the course of a trip!
• Certifications: CPR and AED

I started guiding with my best friend who I boated with in high school and it’s one of my favorite decisions I’ve ever made! I love being on the river, showing new people my favorite place, bettering my skills and knowledge with others, and having fun while doing hard things. My favorite part of guiding is watching people's faces after they did something they were nervous about and the fun to be had at camp after a great day. I love OTT because it feels like a family; guides are treated well, we have nice equipment, and I love the option of kayaking on every trip. OTT is the best!

• Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Snowhole Canyon and Blue Canyon on the Lower Salmon
• Favorite part of a trip: When the sun goes down on a sandy beach and it’s time to cut the dutch oven dessert!
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Trip Leader Certification, EMT, BSN, RN

When I started with OTT, they welcomed me with open arms to a world I had never seen before! The world of being a river guide has its many benefits and challenges along with it. With OTT, I was boosted with a sense of confidence on the water I had never experienced before. With the tools they provided me for success, it has opened up so many opportunities and the possibility for potential connections I can make with people in a setting nobody can say isn’t a great time. All around in my professional experience so far, you can’t beat some time on the water with good people!

• Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Nugget Falls and the Green Room
• Favorite part of a trip: The opportunity to get to know people and their life experiences, also the fact that we provide our guests with an experience that some have never seen before!
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED

I’ve guided for OTT on and off since high school. It’s a dream job, and I love sharing these beautiful rivers with people. I’ve worked in outdoor education, guided all over the Pacific Northwest, chased rivers all over (including a 20-day Grand Canyon trip), and taught swiftwater rescue and outdoor skills for several universities. In all my travels, I’m very proud to be on the OTT team and to help deliver our unique river adventures.

• Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: The Lower Rogue lodges, the Umpqua in the rain, or a Main Salmon hot spring
• Favorite part of a trip: Getting to share the river and all it brings with the group
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED

Favorite River: Main Salmon or Rogue Off-season Pursuit: Retired high school science teacher and coach What I love about being a guide: Meeting new people and sharing our rivers with guests.

I started guiding back home in Montana but kept hearing about how the Rogue was one of the best rivers for overnights in the Northwest, and I had to come check it out for myself! This river has quickly become home for me and I love spending as much time down the canyon as possible.

• Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Mule Creek Canyon
• Favorite part of a trip: Cooking delicious riverside meals for everyone on our camp trips.
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED, Trip Leader Certification

This was just a summer job, and now it is my career. I enjoy seeing the smiles and excitement on everyone’s faces when they get to go on our trips. I love hearing about their experiences at the end. How were the rapids? Did you ride the bull? How was fishing? How big of a fish did you catch? I can truly say I love my job and the people I work with.

• Hometown: Merlin, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Mule Creek Canyon on the Rogue River
• Favorite part of a trip: All of it, especially the lodge trips. The lodges are great!

I started guiding because I ran out of friends and family who would go rafting with me. Now OTT books the guests, provides the gear, and transports us to and from the river. My favorite thing to do is take first timers and people who are nervous. Watching them go from apprehensive to having fun is fun for me. The reason I work for OTT is they sent me an email after I went on a trip with them. It said they were hiring guides and I was welcome to try out.

• Hometown: Boron, California
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Wooldridge, because it's splashy and technical
• Favorite part of a trip: Getting to know my guests
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Commercial Driver License, Wilderness First Aid

I got my start guiding in college when Satre, my high school wrestling coach, helped me get a job as a river guide. What started as a job turned into something I truly love, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend my time than being outdoors, running rapids, and sharing the river with others. One of my favorite parts is the people. The guides I work with often become family, and it’s always great to see repeat customers come back year after year.

I especially enjoy watching people’s confidence grow as they experience the river over several days and take on challenges they may not have thought possible. I love the challenge of running the river, but it’s also the entire experience, from the food and lodge crews to the friendships and memories made along the way. I work with OTT because it brings together so many of the things I love about guiding. It’s about much more than just running a river. It’s about the people, the experience, and being part of something special.

• Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Mule Creek Canyon and day 1 of the 3-day Rogue trip
• Favorite part of a trip: Being on the water with great people and running rapids in an IK
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Commercial Driver License

I have been kayaking for 13 years, and the river has become my second home. I started guiding because I wanted to share my passion for whitewater and help others experience places they would never see from the shore. My favorite part of guiding is watching guests conquer rapids, build confidence, and leave with unforgettable memories. I love working with Orange Torpedo Trips because every day brings a new adventure, an incredible team to work alongside, and the chance to introduce people to the excitement and beauty of the river.

• Hometown: Central Point, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Powerhouse Falls
• Favorite part of a trip: Kayaking and meeting new people
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Trip Leader Certification

My best friend Bill Narus introduced me to Eric Smith, who got me started guiding during my master’s program at SOU. As a coach and teacher, I respect and enjoy seeing guests take on the challenges of whitewater and be willing to try difficult things in beautiful places. OTT lets me guide a variety of wild and scenic rivers in different environments and in different types of boats. It’s never the same trip. Always a new adventure and a new challenge with amazing people.

• Hometown: Winston, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Upper and Lower Island on the North Umpqua
• Favorite part of a trip: All of it
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Commercial Driver License, Trip Leader Certification

Started working for OTT when I was 16 years old. Guided through my college years, then continued to guest-guide for many years. I enjoy both the camaraderie and friendships I have made with the staff and clients, and introducing new customers to the unique and special river experience.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Split Rock Rapid on day 3 of the Main Salmon
• Favorite part of a trip: Watching others gain confidence and start to enjoy paddling the rapids in IKs
• Certifications: CPR and AED

I knew several of the guides for our company well before I started (Tim Satre, Mike Slagle, Robbie Henderson, etc.). Satre was one of my wrestling coaches in high school and knew of some openings and was able to help me land a position with the company. Ultimately, it was the friendships I have created with other guides and guests that have completely changed my original path of pursuing a position in the medical field and moving into education. The lifelong lessons, friendships, and therapies have all been reasons that continue to bring me back year after year.

• Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Lower Rogue River or Main Salmon
• Favorite part of a trip: Movie night! This is where all of the photos and videos we have taken along the river are shown. It's amazing to see the laughs, cheers, and hollers that come with our trip thus far.
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Trip Leader Certification

Favorite River: Rogue or North Umpqua Off-season Pursuit: Enjoy hunting, fishing, and hiking What I love about being a guide: The sense of adventure that rivers give me.