ABOUT US

During his time studying mechanical engineering, Richard took every opportunity to sneak off and play in the water. Summers were spent guiding in beautiful Slovenia with rafting on the Soca river and also heaps of canyoning and caving. Expeditions, work and randomness brought him to Canada, La Reunion, Italy, Sri Lanka, Azores, Tropical Belgium, New Zealand, Honduras and other gems. With over 15 years of experience in outdoor tourism, he’s now a full-time guide. When he’s not around the flowing waters outside, it is highly likely you can find him making laps in the swimming pool, discussing which Taylor Swift song is best (Wildest Dreams!), welding some steel together or daydreaming about ice cream, pizza or cookies, in no particular order. 

After years working in trades, Adam took a swift water rescue course in 2006, close to his birthplace of Calgary on the Kananaskis River as a fun break from the daily grind. That was the beginning of a 17-year career and love affair with whitewater rafting that has taken him to some of the most beautiful places in the world to paddle and adventure. Working in many countries over the years, Australia, Honduras, Scotland, Switzerland and France were some of his favourite places to share his passion for whitewater and meet and share that passion with people. Now he’s back where it all started sharing his passion and knowledge with anyone who is interested, really taking a special interest in teaching and mentoring new and experienced guides alike.  He can’t wait to see you all on the river soon!

My name is Tadhg. It’s like “tiger” without the “er”. I’m a 26-year-old whitewater raft and kayak guide who’s stoked for my 3rd year at Chinook Rafting. This year marks my 8th year working as an adventure guide in many different disciplines such as Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Coasteering and Supping. If it’s got water, I’ll do it. Off the river, my life passions include snowboarding, impersonating big foot and most importantly, McVities Chocolate Digestive biscuits

Rachel has been an outdoor educator and adventure tourism guide for over 9 years, leading canoeing, sea kayaking, cycling, and hiking trips, but whitewater has become her mainstay. Since graduating from Lakehead University’s Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism program, she has worked across Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. In her time off, Rachel likes taking glorified pool toys (pack rafts) on outrageous adventures, bikepacking silly distances, and doodling as an illustrator for outdoor companies. As one of Chinook’s token Canadians, she always carries a small bottle of maple syrup in her PFD for emergencies.

Adrian is stoked to be returning once again to the Chinook Rafting Team! He is originally from Ontario and graduated from Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Program in 2015. He guided on the mighty Ottawa River, Petawawa River, and Madawaska River back home as well as the Rouge, Gatineau, and Jacques Cartier rivers in Quebec. Adrian is a Wilderness First Responder and International Trauma and Life Support Provider. In his spare time, you’ll find him in a kayak on the river or cooking at home. During the winter he works on the Ski Patrol & Snow Safety Team at Nakiska Ski Area.

With a passion for all things river, I started rafting back in 2012, guiding all around Alberta, BC, Yukon and Alaska. After a few years of hiatus working in logging, I am returning to bring river stoke to the people! Look forward to epic trips, fun times and Shrek-fueled jokes! When I’m not rafting, you’ll find me mountain biking, paddling, hiking or watching Shrek over and over again.

I am Vikram Hirani from India. I live in the lap of the Indian Himalayas in the holy town of Rishikesh.  I have been raft guiding and safety kayaking on many different rivers off and on for the last 10 years. I feel very lucky to live in the Himalayas and I was trained on the Himalayan Rivers also. My favourite river is my home river called Ganga. When I am not rafting I go hiking, kayaking & cycling. I am practicing yoga for the last 8 years and I can now teach students up to an intermediate level. I am very excited to be the part of the Chinook Rafting team again this summer.

I’m Olowo. I am Ugandan from Jinja, which is in East Africa. I´m aged 38, and I’ve been rafting for 18 years on rivers in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, India and Canada. I love doing community work, farming and listening to country music like ” The Best of John Cash”. My favourite foods are sandwiches, burgers, stews and local African meals, like posho, beans, and bananas.

I’m David from Costa Rica. I’ve done local studies related to tourism, which is a big industry in my country! Since 2017, I have worked full-time as a river guide. In Costa Rica, we have plenty of fun and big rivers all year round for rafting, where I’ve paddled and worked on most of our rivers. Rafting is my passion and when I’m not working on the river then I go kayaking for fun or you can find me on the beach, in the lake, on the mountain or in the hot springs from my home town. I’m excited to come back to Chinook and I’m looking forward to having fun with you in the rivers we run here in Canada!

Pura vida!! See you in the rapids!

Kia ora! I’m Georgia M, and I’m from New Zealand. I’m thrilled to join the Chinook Rafting crew. I have rafted on many beautiful rivers in Aotearoa, including the Kawarau, Shotover, and Buller rivers. I am excited to experience and share more amazing whitewater adventures with everyone in Canada! I love water in all forms; fresh, salty, and frozen! If I’m not out playing in the whitewater, you can find me sea kayaking, surfing, or skiing. I´m also a fan of hiking and rock climbing … anything outside really!

Hey, I’m Georgia S. I’m from Aotearoa, New Zealand. For the past summers, I have been multi-day rafting down the mighty Waiau Toa (Clarence) river. I’ve also been spending time on the Kawatiri (Buller river) and the Māwhera (Grey river) and loved every second of it. I’m super stoked to be moving to Canada and spending my time on some new rivers! I really enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and most outdoor activities. I can’t wait to see you on the river! Chur!

Hi, I’m Guerson from Peru. I live in a small valley in the Andes of Cusco or Inca empire. My studies are related to my culture and history, which is why I decided to study as an official tourist guide. I never imagined that my office would be on the river, haha. I have been a rafting guide for more than 10 years, and I have known and travelled through different rivers in this time. My work as a rafting guide opened my mind to doors and opportunities to improve work, travelling, living and sharing experiences with other people is what I love. During this time, I learned many skills as I worked as a safety kayaker, cargo boat guide in expeditions and stand-up paddle guide. In my free time, when I am off the river, I dedicate myself to carpentry and horses. I have a small ranch family where we offer horseback riding, and we give riding lessons to children and adults. I’m excited to work with Chinook. See you on the river!

My name is Sebastian, I was born in the south of Chile, but I have been living in the Rocky Mountains for 5 years. On my journey, I have rafted different rivers around North and South America. I am passionate about outdoor sports, whether it is winter or summer. I enjoy mountain biking in the summer, as well as skateboarding and camping, and in winter I teach snowboarding.

Born in the Netherlands I came to Canada for a new adventure. I worked the last 20 winters as a Snowmobile guide and the summers as a Hiking guide and later as a tour guide across Canada & Alaska. This is my second season with Chinook Rafting. On my days off you can find me hiking or biking the local trails.

Hi, I am Hiro, a long time Bow Valley Resident. I have been involved with a lot of TV filming and guiding within Canada and around the world. You won’t see me on the river, but you will see me behind the handle. I will be your captain while you are on the bus.

I am originally from Ontario but I’ve been living in Alberta and BC for the past two years! This will be my first season rafting for Chinook Rafting and I am super stoked to get on the river. I’ve done a lot of canoeing back in Ontario and I’ve gotten the chance to do some amazing canoe trips down the Nahanni River. I am a big skier, and hiker, and I love writing and playing music in my free time.

My name is Kaisa, I am from Nanaimo, BC where I am currently studying Tourism Management. I am super stoked about this upcoming season and returning to the beautiful Rocky Mountains!

When not working as an off-river assistant, you can find me outdoors either hiking, climbing, camping, or whatever adventure awaits.

Hello everyone!
I’m currently studying tourism in Montreal. Even if I spend most of my time in town, whenever I have free time I love to do outdoor activities! A fun fact about me is that I could eat vegetarian wraps every single day! I’m looking forward to spending this next summer surrounded by this wonderful crew and I can’t wait to try new experiences! I’m really excited to be part of the Chinook team this summer!

Hi, I’m Ella, and I am from Toronto, Ontario. I’m currently a university student at Queen’s University. My hobbies include physical fitness, outdoor activity, and reading. When not working, I love exploring and going on hikes, skiing, or swimming. I have a passion for water and love sharks! I can’t wait to be a part of the team this summer. I look forward to all the upcoming adventures!

Hi – I’m Julie! I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and have played in the Canadian Rockies my entire life. The lure of working and living in the mountains created opportunities that would lead me to develop a passion for working with individuals with disabilities and adaptive outdoor recreation. With this, I have worked as an adaptive ski instructor and adaptive kayak instructor for several years in the Bow Valley. I want to make sure that everyone gets the chance to have fun and play outside – hoping I can bring this spirit of support and inclusion to the Chinook team in my first year!

I’m Jerry, originally from New Brunswick, who fell in love with a western girl and the Rocky Mountains. I love to travel, as well as playing sports, especially hockey and pickleball. I enjoy hiking and cross-country skiing in Kananaskis. While I enjoy the thrill of rafting, I will be your driver extraordinaire taking you safely around to enjoy your day on Alberta’s beautiful waters.

In the summer of ’22, Ralph literally walked into our rafting base and decided this was his home now. The team has welcomed him warmly and has been kindly accommodating his requests. He is surprisingly good at sleeping on guides lifejackets and chasing wetsuit boots that lay completely still. In his spare time he likes to take long walks on the beach and he thoroughly enjoys watching the Formula 1 races from the couch.

Heather is an import to Canada, hailing originally from England.  She fell in love with all that Canada’s vastness has to offer at the age of 18, and has since spent years living and working in the Canadian Rockies.

In between being off-river assistant for Chinook Rafting, Heather loves to get out in these beautiful mountains both on her own and with guests as part of her work as a qualified hiking and wildlife guide.

A keen ski-tourer and advocate of cool weather, Heather spends some of the off-season guiding polar bear and northern lights trips in Northern Canada.  Her passion is show-casing the natural world, making nature’s beauty available to everyone who visits it.

From Australia, I started working in the outdoors in 2013 as a bushwalking, rock climbing, & rafting guide! Leading 10 day expeditions all around Australia, I discovered that my passion for the wild rivers surpassed my other hobbies and I have since raft guided on the Snowy, Murrumbidgee and Barron Rivers. If I’m not out paddling I’ll be out surfing, climbing, or doing pretty much anything to stay outside.

Originally from the UK, Chris is at home on rivers worldwide having kayaked and rafted for over 25 years in places like the UK, France, Italy, Norway, Argentina, USA, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Nepal, India & Zambia. He is a rafting examiner for the BC and AB River Outfitters Association, a certified kayaking instructor, a Swiftwater & Ice Rescue Technical Instructor for Rescue 3 International, and is an Emergency Medical and Advanced Wilderness First Responder. In his spare time, he is also a Volunteer Firefighter with the Banff Fire Department.

Chris also has a strong background in rope rescue and has worked for the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association. Chris brings a wealth of experience, skill and charisma to our team. Asked how his rafting career began, “I suppose it all started when I was 10 years old. My local Scout Group had just bought six new kayaks, so I started testing them out on a nearby river. After a year of weekly kayaking lessons, my dad bought me my first kayak, and before I knew it I was becoming hooked. My desire to combine both my passion for kayaking with my love for travelling eventually led me to train as a Whitewater Raft Guide.”