Your guides bring their love of rivers, the Southwest, people, and personal growth to your trip. They also bring expertise in navigating the water, and their own unique personalities and interests. Get a quick glimpse of the folks who’ll be guiding you safely through the beautiful canyons of the Colorado Plateau on your FLOW river trip.
Hometown: Pinon, Arizona Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2024, Adventure Education Favorite River: San Juan River
I am from a small reservation community known as Burnt Corn Valley. I love to read, do beadwork, sew, and play video games. I would say my adaptability is what would make me a good guide. My favorite foods are Thai, Sushi, and hamburgers. I have two rabbits, a cat, three dogs and two sheep. Their names are Hammi, Umbreon, Nymeria, Suika, Pawtron(aka Grand pup), Baby2, Bambi, and Flower. I am excited to work for FLOW because although I am new to the river scene, I love the fulfillment and connections that it brings. Also help others who want to explore the outdoors on the river. My favorite Oreo is the double stuffed original.
Hometown: Durango, CO Favorite River: Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
I love all things rivers, mountains, and adventure and my work, play, life, and family have centered around rivers, mountains, and adventure. I have explored, traveled, worked, and played in 40+ countries. My adventure log includes over 8,000 miles of rafting, climbing the highest mountain in each of the 50 states, trekking and high-altitude mountaineering around the world, thru-hiking the Appalachian and Colorado Trails, 100+ mile mountain ultra runs, skiing, ice-climbing, being a past Mayor of Silverton, CO, being married for 25+ years, and last but not least, raising two kids that each have their own logs of big backcountry adventures.. I always look forward to introducing people to rivers and the backcountry, and cooking them Egg McNutes!
Hometown: Elkhart, IN Year/Major/Minor: 3rd year senior in Adventure Education Favorite River: Chama
Hi, I'm Emily! I'm an adventure education student with a passion for getting outside and sharing it with others around me. I started guiding with FLOW in the spring of 2022 and have enjoyed every second of getting to work with an awesome crew and rad participants. When I'm off the river I entertain some hobbies such as canyoneering, climbing, swimming, and hiking around with my friends!
Hometown: Durango, CO Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2023, Geology Favorite River: San Miguel
Hi! My name is Chris and I’ve grown up in Durango since I moved here in 2013. I decided to pursue my own adventure to be able to explore and experience different places that many people wouldn’t be able to, whether that be green forests or deep red canyons, I’m all for it. Rafting as a river guide (especially with FLOW) isn’t only an easy way to do this, it also brings some of the best people together in some of the best places. My favorite ice cream is also coffee flavored.
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2025, Adventure Education Favorite River: Not sure yet, there is still too much to explore
I was born and raised in a city with little access to the outdoors and it was a passion I sought out for myself. I moved west when I was 18, and I say I found my soul in the southwest. I have been a hiking and backpacking guide for the last 2 summers. I enjoy getting to know my guests and sharing their experiences in the outdoors, I have found so much fulfillment through guiding and I am excited to take it to the river. I am excited that I have been able to learn a new skill and make more connections with people in my community in Durango. I love to be outdoors and I feel so fortunate that I get to bring people to these beautiful spaces.
Hometown: Dolores, CO Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2023, Adventure Education Favorite River: The Lower Dolores
Maddy has been guiding for FLOW since 2022. Her favorite part about being a river guide is that the river brings people together, which is why she works for FLOW. She feels very passionate about this mission because she didn't have the opportunity be on the river until her late teens. Now she spends most of her summer on the river working or rafting with her family. During the off-season, she works as a ski instructor and a wildland fire fighter. Maddy is a Fort Lewis graduate, with a degree in Adventure Education. Some of her hobbies include crocheting, hiking and canyoneering.
Hometown: Fruita, CO Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2026, Geology and Chemistry Favorite River: Colorado
Hometown: Durango, CO Year/Major/Minor: Northern Arizona University Alumni, BS in Parks and Recreation Management, MS in Forestry, BS in Nursing Favorite River: Tough question! Gotta go with the Colorado, especially in the Grand Canyon (although I really love the Metolius, and grew up on rivers throughout the Ozarks and still love them deeply)
I have many years of experience with rivers and boats, outdoor guiding and leadership, trip planning and implementation, outdoor education and interpretation, fundraising and donor relations, both wilderness and frontcountry medicine, food handling, strategic planning, natural science, and more. Plus, I have a deep and abiding love for the Colorado Plateau.
Hometown: Littleton, CO Year/Major/Minor: Class of 2024, Adventure Education major, Sociology minor Favorite River: Green
Hi, I'm Holly! I'm an adventure education student with a love for the Southwest and sharing my stoke for the beautiful places we call home with everyone I can. I started guiding with FLOW in 2023, and my favorite part is getting to wake up next to the river with awesome new people every day. When I’m not on the river, you can often find me romping around in the mountains on backpacking trips, cragging with friends, or entertaining my love/hate relationship with trail running. If you ever want to get giddy about a gorgeous view, geek out about cool spots in the Four Corners Region, or join me for an evening meditation on the river, come find me!
Senior Lecturer of Adventure Education, FLOW coordinator Hometown: Lancaster, PA Favorite River: Rio Dolores
I like to think I follow the water: skiing the mountains in the winter, and running rivers in the summer. My career in outdoor and adventure education goes back to the early 2000s, mostly in college outdoor programs and college academics. I am excited to be coordinating the FLOW program to share my passion for running rivers and opening these experiences to folks who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Other than that… I really like ice cream, mountain bikes, and cats.