Our guides are trained professionals, and many of them return year after year. They are devoted to ensuring that everyone receives the finest outdoor experience possible and are happy to throw in a little humor along the way. We are proud to have one of the most experienced and enthusiastic guide staffs on the Ocoee River. They are highly trained and must complete several levels of training before leading an outdoor adventure with us. Our guides will instruct you before and during your whitewater adventure, helping to make your trip more exciting, safe, and memorable. Don't forget to request your favorite!
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Alycia L. - Trip Leader
Years Guiding: 5
From: Cleveland, TN
I am originally from Florida but have been here in Tennessee for 6 years now. This is my 5th year guiding on the Ocoee River and I still look forward to it every summer. I have a 7 year old little girl and a brand new baby boy. Which by the way, is the reason why some of you didn't see me out there last season, but I am back and ready to go!!! So come out and enjoy a day with me soon!! Remember, If you ride in my boat, be aware that I suffer from O.A.D (Overactive Adrenalin Disorder)!! |
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Dan D. - Trip Leader
Years Guiding: 21
From: Knoxville, TN
I've been rafting the Ocoee now for 21 years. I must be addicted to it because I just can't seem to give it up. Where else can you go and take strangers, dress them up funny, take them out on parade, yell at them the whole time (in a good way), and when it's all over, they seem to like you and want to shake your hand?
But seriously, I love this river: the water, the sun, the sounds of the rapids and the wonderful camaraderie. I also love a good joke. My hobbies include gardening, jogging, juggling, and playing piano. If you raft with me I'll play a song for you after the trip if you wish (and if I can). This is a great job!
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Blake Mc. - River Operations/Marketing Manager, Trip Leader
Years Guiding: 16
From: Cleveland, TN
Having grown up in nearby Cleveland, TN, the Ocoee River has been a longtime favorite place of mine. I can remember many family trips to the Ocoee River and surrounding forests. My father used to bring me down to the river to collect rocks. I'm a big outdoor enthusiast and love camping, hiking, music, and of course spending as much time on the water as possible. I've been on numerous rivers in the southeastern U.S. including the Gauley, New, Chattooga, Cheoah, Russell Fork and working to get many more under my belt. Some friends and I completed a long-awaited 21-day expedition down the Colorado River in March of 2009. I graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 1998 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. After working in the insurance and music industries for 10 years in Minnesota, Nashville, and Atlanta, I'm glad to be back home with the people and place I love the most. During my down time, I put on a kilt and drum with the Nashville Pipes and Drums and also assist the Walker Valley High School drumline. |
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Austin C.
Years Guiding: 15
From: Benton, TN
Hi my name is Austin. I'm a second generation raft guide. My Dad started working for Cherokee Rafting in 1980 so I grew up on the Ocoee. I have also guided many rivers all across the country. The people I work with at Cherokee are the BEST and I consider them part of my extended family! |
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Josh S.
Years Guiding: 16
From: Chattanooga, TN
I have been guiding for Cherokee Rafting 16 years and still enjoy rafting just as much as ever. For the last ten years I have been riding bulls in rodeos. People who request for me to be their guide always ask for the Bull Rider. I am now living in Birchwood, TN with my wife and 3 daughters (who are excited about rafting too and can't wait until they are old enough to get in a raft.) |
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Mark B.
Years Guiding: 13
From: Cleveland, TN
I am lover of outdoor adventure sports including rafting, paddling, rock climbing, and camping. The Ocoee is my home river, but I have been on about two dozen other rivers including the New and Gauley rivers in West Virgina, and the Yuba River and Cherry Creek in California. In March of 2009, I completed a 21-day expedition down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. |
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Evan H.
Years Guiding: 6
From: Cleveland, TN
Born and raised in Tennessee, I've always loved playing in the outdoors. From taking a day trip to Jack's river to hiking up Big Frog Mountain and staying the weekend. Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River has become a new passion for me! |
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Zach S.
Years Guiding: 5
From: Harrison, TN
I love the outdoors and traveling, but at the same time, there's no place like home. I love to experience many different things, and it's always good to make new friends. I'm a sports enthusiast, you name it, and I'll play it. There's nothing better than going camping with a group of friends and laying awake in the pitch black night listening to the sounds of running water of the river or stream. Rafting just comes natural. |
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Jimmy C.
Years Guiding: 22
From: Cleveland, TN
I have been guiding rafts on the Ocoee River for 22 years and I enjoy it very much. I have a wife and 2 kids at home. In my spare time I enjoy going to my boys baseball games or spending a day on the golf course. |
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Mike T.
Years Guiding: 33
From: Memphis, TN
I am originally from West Virginia, where I guided on the New and Gauley Rivers. I came to the Ocoee when my real-world job moved me to Memphis. The cross-state drive to the river allows me to change from corporate mentality to my well-known "River Guide Attitude." My love of the river is contagious - my daughter Emily (age 16) and son Daniel (age 13) love going to the river with me. |
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Chad G.
Years Guiding: 14
From: Cleveland, TN
I have been guiding for 14 years now. I have been on several different rivers but have spent most of my time on the Ocoee. I am from Cleveland, TN where I live on my dad's farm with my wife, kids, and dogs. I am an irrigation contractor in my real life job but I enjoy trading my tools in for a paddle, jacket, and helmet on the weekends. Let's go rafting! |
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Shane S.
Years Guiding: 9
From: Knoxville, TN
I am a firefighter and have been a whitewater enthusiast for many years. My love for whitewater, river rescue and the outdoors brought me to this area. I have rafted rivers all over the United States and Mexico. Meeting new people and making memories in the outdoors make this a great place to work. |
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Mike C .
Years Guiding: 24
From: Cleveland, TN |
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Michael P.
Years Guiding: 9
From: Atlanta, GA |
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Tyler D.
Years Guiding: 2
From: Cleveland, TN |
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Jake T.
Years Guiding: 2
From: Riceville, TN
Yo, I am "Barbie". I'm a student in the winter, and I spend my summers at the river. The Ocoee has sucked me in, and I don't plan on going anywhere. Rafting is a passion and a big part of my life. I can't wait to share it with you and hope to see you out here. I'll catch you on the flip side. |
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Jamison S.
Years Guiding: 13
From: Athens, TN
I have been rafting for 13 years and have enjoyed every bit of it. It started out as just a job while I was in college but it grew to a passion! I have now succumb to the puppet strings of a "real" job, but while I look out my window all I see is the Ocoee. I have learned to kayak the last couple of summers, but I dont get to go as often as I would like. Some other rivers under my belt are; Gauley, Chattooga, Cheoah, Kartakay, Big South Fork (Shane knows that one!), and then just some piddling in my kayak. Out of the whole experience I have to say the friends that I have accumulated along the way are the best part. Nothing like a whitewater family! |
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Matt B.
Years Guiding: 13
From: Cleveland, TN |
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Jason S.
Years Guiding: 13
From: Cleveland, TN |
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Mack H.
Years Guiding: 5
From: Old Fort, TN
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Nick P.
Years Guiding: 1
From: Chatsworth, GA
What's up? I'm Nick. I am a Biology major at Tennessee Wesleyan College and plan to go to medical school in a couple of years. I have caught the rafting fever and love being on the river. I don't have a cool nickname...yet, but I do like to hit rapids as fast and hard as possible. See you on the water, or in the water. |
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Josiah R.
Years Guiding: 1
From: Cleveland, TN |
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Jordan K.
Years Guiding: 1
From: Manchester, TN |
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