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As top-quality whitewater rafting outfitter we feel that our raft guides are our biggest asset!
All of our guides have at least 4 years of professional guiding experience to help ensure a fun and safe adventure. Many of our guides however, have much more than 4 years of river rafting experience under their belt.
One of those is Nick Zajac, who is in his 12th season as a whitewater rafting guide. He allowed us a sneak peak into the adventurous journey of a true raft guide and explorer.
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What made you choose the river life?
My friend’s older brother was a raft guide. He used to tease me and told me that I wouldn’t be able to become a whitewater rafting guide. So one day I walked into the first company I could find, told them I wanted to be a raft guide and started training. You could say that I basically became a raft guide to prove a point but it just so happened that I fell in love with the river.
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What whitewater activity do you enjoy most?
I like to attack the river with my inflatable kayak and then go down waterfalls. It is also great to pack for multi-day trips and see where the river takes you. I just love traveling, seeing new rivers and see how they interact with our eco system.
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So where did your river journey take you?
I started training and then guiding on the Pigeon River in Tennessee. Since back then the rivers have taken me all over. – Virginia, North Carolina, California, Brazil, New Zealand…
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When I was rafting on the Gauley River I met a lot of cool people from Colorado and they told me about The Adventure Company. I got hired when I came to Colorado 4 years ago. I also joined the National Raft Racing Team, which took me to California, Brazil and New Zealand.
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I love how the river takes me on adventures.
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This past winter I spent in New Zealand. It was an amazing experience, everything from the scenery to the ice cold glacier rivers over to the bright blue water was beautiful. I mostly rafted the Catatonia River on the South Island, which has big drops and the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. Next winter I will try to work in Australia and see where the river takes me from there..
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We are glad you returned to Colorado to guide with us this summer again! What is your favorite river section around here?
Definitely The Numbers on the Arkansas River!
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Besides all your professional raft guiding experience, what do you think helps ensure safety on the river?
Communication and teamwork between guides is key to help ensure a safe trip.
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Nick chasing the summer in New Zealand last October!
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Excited to see more of Nick’s whitewater rafting adventures?
Check out his YouTube channel and follow his river journey!
