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Our Guides
Our guide staff are the people that make the difference. These 45+ individuals are mature (average age 39 years), have been river guiding for an average of 7 years (some have been with us for 20+ years), and have a grown-up work ethic. They are competent, fun-loving individuals that elevate a good trip into a great one!
Our guides are successful in their own careers and have chosen to guide with Centennial for the pure joy of working with people and being outdoors on the water. They come from careers such as geologists, teachers, professional photographers, information system engineers, pilots, veterinarians, psychologists, entrepreneurs, etc. All have completed First Aid and CPR training. Many also hold Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescue, and American Canoe Association certification. Safety is our primary concern and our guides are very experienced; all of our Head Guides have logged over 500 river miles and many have logged over 1500 miles.
“We can’t say enough abouth the incredible care and guidance we received from the guides. They are absolutely amazing.” Tim and Suzy Degar, Franktown, CO
MEET OUR GUIDES (scroll down) MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS click here
Name: Charlie SimmonsDay Job: Construction ContractorGuiding for Centennial Since: 2006Favorite River: They're all great!Interesting fact: I own a unicycle and actually ride it on mountain trails. |
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Name: Tracy MaxwellDay Job: Nonprofit Executive/AuthorGuiding for Centennial Since: 2002Favorite River: Green and GunnisonInteresting fact: I have a super healthy diet and have lost 40 pounds as a result |
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Name: John CurchinDay Job: Astronomy/Geology instructor
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Name: Greg SkompDay Job: Executive DirectorGuiding for Centennial Since: 2009Favorite River: The next oneInteresting fact: Triathlete |
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Name: Jake GunterDay Job: Student at University of DenverGuiding for Centennial Since: 2009Favorite River: GreenInteresting fact: Can speak Mandarin Chinese |
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Name: Julie GumperDay Job: Co-Owner of Centennial CanoeOwner of Centennial Since: 2000Favorite River: The one with the warmest waterInteresting fact: Does healing energy work on the side. |
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Name: Marty GenereuxDay Job: Co-Owner of Centennial CanoeGuiding & Owner of Centennial Since: 1996Favorite Rivers: Dolores & Upper ColoradoInteresting fact: Gets REALLY sick on amusment park rides. |
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Name: Randy HertzmanDay Job: Software developer/wilderness medicine instructorGuiding for Centennial Since: 1996Favorite river: I could tell you, but then I'd have to splash you...Interesting fact: In 3rd grade, won 1st place in the running-backwards race. |
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Name: Erin SwankDay Job: Theatrical Stage Manager/Website CoordinatorGuiding for Centennial Since: 2005Favorite Rivers: Dolores & GunnisonInteresting fact: Favorite past co-workers include three camels and a donkey. |
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Name: Mike WymoreDay Job: Theatrical StagehandGuiding for Centennial Since: 1999Favorite River: San JuanInteresting fact: Traveled around the country with the Broadway Production of Lion King. |
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Name: Ward SearDay Job: CEO RiverDancer EnterprisesGuiding for Centennial Since: 1990Favorite Rivers: Dolores, Green, Chama, San Juan, GunnisonInteresting fact: During 22 years has taught dance and social skills to over 66,000 young people all over the country. |
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Name: Ginger OviattDay Job: Program Coordinator for non-profit / EMT / firefighterGuiding for Centennial Since: 2007Favorite River: I love them all!Interesting fact: I recently passed my hazmat ops test on the first try! |
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Name: Patti BanksDay Job: Snowmaker/Snowsports Instructor/GardenerGuiding for Centennial Since: 2012Favorite River: The one that I am on.Interesting fact: We have a home in Connecticut that has been in the family since 1778. |
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Name: Erica MacCreaighDay Job: Full time graduate student at Iliff School of TheologyGuiding for Centennial Since: 2006Favorite river: Wherever the air temp is over 90 degreesInteresting fact: I literally wrote the book on how to manage jail and prison libraries. |
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Name: Heather JacksonDay Job: TeacherGuiding for Centennial Since: 2012Favorite Rivers: Any with steep canyon wallsInteresting fact: I was a collegiate gymnast in Wisconsin |
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Name: Pam FortnerDay job: Fine ArtistGuiding for Centennial Since: 1995
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Name: Mike CousinsDay Job: Semi-Retired Veterinarian
Favorite River: All of 'emInteresting fact: Has performed surgery on more animals than Noah had on his Ark! |
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Name: Pam FitzDay Job: Financial Management Software SalesFavorite River: GunnisonGuiding for Centennial Since: 2000Interesting fact: Have paddled on 4 of 7 continents...so far. |
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Name: Bob DickersonDay job: GeologistGuiding for Centennial Since: 1995Favorite River: The Colorado, the San Rafael.Interesting Fact: Started canoeing in the Marine Corp in 1970. |
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Name: Katherine A. Mason (Kat)Day Job: VP of JDW Social Education ProgramsGuiding for Centennial Since: 2008Favorite River: Colorado, Green & DoloresInteresting fact: Experiences include travel to over 27 countries. |
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Name: Jared RiggsDay Job: Restaurant ConsultantGuiding for Centennial Since: 2011Favorite River: GunnisonInteresting fact: Can recall hundreds of jokes and riddles. |
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Name: Greg McCrimmonDay job: Photographer/Adventurer/Member of Alpine Rescue TeamGuiding for Centennial Since: 2009Favorite River: Dolores and GreenInteresting fact: Named "America's Next Ultimate Outdoor Explorer" by Backpacker Magazine. |
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Name: Becca ArndtDay job: Massage Therapist/sometimes PotterGuiding for Centennial Since: 1998Favorite river: North Platte River (where I met my husband)Interesting fact: Got hit by a drunk bear on my bicycle and lived to tell the story... |
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Name: Judy DavidsonDay Jobs: Home healthcare, personal assistant, private chef, nursing studentGuiding for Centennial Since: 2001Favorite River: Gunnison and ColoradoInteresting Fact: I got to experience amazingly beautiful flash floods in Dominguez Canyon for my birthday two years in a row. |
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Name: Meghan NanfeldtDay Job: Outward Bound Instructor, Valet, High School Lacrosse CoachGuiding for Centennial Since: 2011Favorite River: The least windyInteresting Facts: I was Division 1 scholarship athlete at UConn. |
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Name: Jake UffordDay job:Guiding for Centennial Since: 2012Favorite river:Interesting fact: |
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Name: Mark SimsDay Job: President, Sims Photographics, Inc. A commercial photo studioGuiding for Centennial Since: 1990Favorite river: The one my paddle is in.Interesting fact: I'm a Colorado native and I've been to all 50 of the United States. |
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Name: Max WoodfinDay Job: International Guide/ PsychotherapistGuiding for Centennial Since: 2010Favorite River: Well, the Mekong, but we don't run that one at Centennial (maybe one day)!Interesting fact: Occasionally known to travel by horseback to negotiate with Chinese businessmen in East Turkestan. |
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Name: Babette HillsDay Job: Retired LibrarianGuiding for Centennial Since: 2000Favorite river: The one I'm on.Interesting fact: Mountain and snowshoe guide at Copper Mountain. |
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Name: Dylan JohnsonDay Job: Procurement CoordinatorGuiding for Centennial Since: 2006
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Name: Levi OviattDay Job: Ski Patroller, GardenerGuiding for Centennial Since: 2007Favorite River: Upper ColoradoInteresting Fact: Grand master of rock, scissors, paper. |
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Name: Brooks WolfeDay Job: Furniture Maker, Business Consultant, Kayak Instructor, Apprentice BrewerGuiding for Centennial Since: 2009Favorite River: Dolores and WhiteInteresting fact: Into primitive technology. Can start a fire with two sticks and make a piece of chord out of plant fibers! |
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Name: Nick KeeneDay job: BartenderGuiding for Centennial Since: 2008Favorite river: Colorado RiverInteresting fact: Bikes to work every day. |
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Name: Barb WolfDay Job: Makes maps for Denver Water and GIS instructor at a community collegeGuiding for Centennial Since: 2000Favorite river: ColoradoInteresting fact: Have been bitten by a rattlesnake.Also teaches GIS at Denver University. |
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Name: Shauna MusserOccupation: Student, wheelchair dischargeGuiding for Centennial Since: 2010Favorite river: ColoradoInteresting fact: I rode my bicycle across the country from Connecticut to San Francisco. |
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Name: Gina KremerDay Job: Publicist & Travel WriterGuiding for Centennial Since: 2011Favorite River: They’re all beautiful – great company makes the difference!Interesting fact: I was a Chicago city gal for years, then I left it all behind and hiked 1400 miles on the Appalachian Trail. |
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Quick Links
"The guides were exceptional: on time, informative, educating, great disposition, great care to safety, wonderful cooks, and great with people."
Rainey Wikstorm, Denver, CO
"We really enjoyed our trip. I was surprised and pleased by the extent of the history coverage. Your guides did an excellent job."
Tom Thomas, Louisville, CO
Random FAQ
May I bring my own beverages? We invite you to bring a medium sized cooler (in the 28 qt. range) with any drinks you’d like. If adult beverages are consumed, we ask that you drink responsibly. We serve complementary wine at dinner.
Will there be plenty of water on the trip? Yes, we’ll bring 5 gallon jugs of fresh water.
What gear does Centennial provide? We’ll provide the canoes, paddles, life jackets, water, food, safety equipment, stoves and guides
Gift Certificates!
A Centennial Canoe gift certificate is wonderful for holidays, birthdays, and "just because." Create memories not STUFF. Certificate is good toward trips or merchandise. No expiration date. Order here.
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