Partners We Work With, Support and Admire
Clients and guides alike ADORE Chad Richards! Chad, owner of WET Rafting on the South Fork American, brings 35 years of rafting experience, with over 30,000 river miles guided across the American River forks, Tuolumne, Merced, Cherry Creek, Kaweah, Klamath, and more—including rivers in Costa Rica. He’s spent decades as a River & Operations Manager, Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and Guide School Instructor, and has led some of the highest-flow commercial trips ever run on these rivers. A longtime supporter of Junior Guide School, Chad is known for training outstanding guides—many of them are JG graduates! We’re thrilled to have his expertise and leadership on the river this season. Book trips anytime this summer with WET here. To book commercial raft trips during your child's JG camp, use the code JRG to access the 10% off discount.
Lenny Stewart was born in Wyoming and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in public policy. He is the owner of Oregon Whitewater Adventures, a company he has proudly led for the past eight years. A certified raft instructor and Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician Instructor, Lenny brings an exceptional blend of professionalism, safety, and heart to everything he does on the river. We’re thrilled to partner with Oregon Whitewater Adventures—Lenny stood out among many outstanding outfitters and was selected to pilot our expanding Junior Guides Raft Camp operations on the North Umpqua River. When he’s not guiding, Lenny can be found kayaking, skiing, or mountain biking, and inspiring young people as an outdoor school educator. His passion for rivers, teaching, and youth development makes him a perfect fit for the Junior Guides community. Find our more about his raft company at Oregon Whitewater Adventures.
JrKayaker Program: Logan Smith, @KayakerDude, grew up in Coloma, California, immersed in dirtbag river life with a river-loving family. By age 25, he had already spent 15 years paddling some of the most sought-after whitewater in the world, traveling across five continents and more than ten countries. A graduate of World Class Kayaking Internaional High School, Logan especially values creating unforgettable trips with both new and longtime friends, progressing alongside his peers, and pushing one another to nature’s limits through every season. He is passionate about introducing others to this challenging and rewarding lifestyle. Seeing fired-up groms and beginners sit in a kayak for the first time, land their first roll, or successfully navigate early rapids and canyons reminds him why he fell in love with whitewater in the first place. World's Lost Films is his niche
NUGGET SLALOM CLUB
Local hometown Whitewater Hero Rusty Sage is spearheading this community enterprise, as he now has a family of his own. Founded by a group of kayakers with the goal to revive the art of kayak slalom among young, up-and-coming kayakers. The NSC meets regularly at the Nugget, on the South Fork American River, just above Chili Bar Park, to train on a slalom course, the only permanent on-river slalom course in California. Learn more here
Local hometown Whitewater Hero Rusty Sage is spearheading this community enterprise, as he now has a family of his own. Founded by a group of kayakers with the goal to revive the art of kayak slalom among young, up-and-coming kayakers. The NSC meets regularly at the Nugget, on the South Fork American River, just above Chili Bar Park, to train on a slalom course, the only permanent on-river slalom course in California. Learn more here
RAFT RACING When my old Whitewater Voyages buddy Val Burman asked if I wanted to be on a Masters Women Raft Race team, after i got over my surprise that a sport that encouraged rushing to takeout even existed, I said yes! Raft Racing is gaining popularity on the west coast, is very popular internationally, and is vying for olympic qualification. There are 4 on water events: Head to Head and Slalom are my favorite, but Downriver and Sprint are fun as well. Our Women's team placed second at Nationals, which qualified us for the Worlds. In December of 2025, 50+ National Champions- most from California- and supporters flew to the International Rafting Federation World Championships in Malaysia. Our women's team placed 6th overall! Many of the athletes have been part of Junior Guides programs over the years, and some even serve as Senior Guides at Camp. You can support and follow the U19 teams on instagram at ca_poppies_rafting, and thetroublemakers_rafting. Reach out to Sarah if you're interested in knowing more.
|
|
SOCIAL EVENTS A thriving river community is built on the shared joy and connection of its members. Junior Guides has worked with the Gold Trail Grange to support our youth through a variety of programs, including scholarships, internships, and Camp Counselor positions, funded by social events and Parent Education Days. For the past two summers, JG has hosted "River Prom," a community "fun-raiser" featuring JG graduate DJ AlexT. Beyond the prom, JG has hosted River Film Festivals and socials, and has proudly sponsored several USA Raft Racing teams in international competitions.
|
Friends of The River Our local grassroots river conservation organization, ably Directed by my friend, neighbor, and retired business executive Jann Dorman.
Friends of the River (FOR) is dedicated to preserving and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds as well as advocating for sustainable water management. Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, FOR grew to become California's statewide river conservation organization. |
|
