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. 

Adam has been Outdoor Adventure guiding in Canada and around the world now for over 15 years.  Having a passionate affinity for water since a young age, as well as a desire to travel and see the world, it was an easy landing into his career as a international raft guide. His passion for the outdoors is second only to his passion for the river which he loves to share with the people around him.

My name is Tadhg. It’s like “tiger” without the “er”. I’m a 25-year-old whitewater raft and kayak guide who’s stoked for my second year at Chinook Rafting. This year marks my 7th 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 watching kayaking videos on repeat, pineapple on pizza 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.

Hi everyone! I’m stoked to be returning to the Chinook Rafting Team! Originally from Ontario, I graduated from Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Program in 2015. I have 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. I am a Wilderness First Responder and International Trauma & Life Support Provider. In my spare time, you’ll find me in a kayak on the river or cooking at home. During the winter I work on the Ski Patrol & Snow Safety Team at Nakiska Ski Area.

Hi, I’m Gerson 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!

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 37, and I’ve been rafting for 18 years on three rivers in Uganda, Kenya, and India. 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.

Hello there!
I’m David from Costa Rica, my nickname is Jesus, and I have done local studies related to tourism. I’m always looking for outdoor activities in my off time and work time. I’m so excited to meet you all and share this amazing adventure on the river, and I am grateful to life for these experiences.

Since 2017 I have worked full-time as a river guide, as in Costa Rica, we have plenty of fun and big rivers all year round rafting. This year will be my second season in the beautiful area of Banff with Chinook, and I’m excited, as last year was awesome, and we had many happy people in our team and on our rivers.

Pura Vida! See you in the rapids!

Kia ora! I’m Georgia, 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 Chris, a 25-year-old raft guide from Scotland, and I will be new to the Chinook team this summer. I am generally happiest when I’m outdoors, and I am a ski instructor in winter. I love cheesy tunes, and my favourite breakfast food is class 4. I’m excited to raft the Kananaskis and Bow River with you this summer!

My name is Tom Hay. I was born in New Zealand, bread in Scotland, and now reside in Canada. I have been working as a river guide for the past two years in the Highlands of Scotland, and it is a pleasure sharing my enthusiasm for the outdoors with others. I have six years of white water kayaking experience, so I have spent plenty of time on the water. In my free time, I also climb, mountain bike and eat pizza (a true athlete’s meal)

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.

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.

Hi! I’m Momo from Japan. I’ve been working as a river guide for three seasons in Japan. One was in Tokyo, and two other seasons in Niseko Hokkaido. This place has a very popular ski resort too, lots of powder snow we called japaw! And I like to snowboard, travel and go shopping! I’m excited to see the beautiful summertime in Canada!

Hi all!
My name is Juli. I’m from Huntsville, Ontario and have been experiencing mountain life for the past year in Banff. I’m in love with skiing, hiking and camping, anything to be outside. I’ve gotten the chance to do some amazing canoe trips down the Nahanni River and through Algonquin Park, and I am excited to get out on the rafts! I’m looking forward to an awesome season at Chinook.

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.”