River Talk Podcast

This week Zach and Doug Talk with Allie Vostrejs from Middle Fork Adventures about running the Middle Fork of the Salmon River at lower water flows. News of the Week Upper Wind Whitewater Festival this Saturday March 14th Gear of the Week Tuff River Stuff “Tuff Duffle” (Allie) Neo Air Sleeping Pad (Dougie) Palm Nevis […]

In this episode Priscilla and Zach talk with Mark Hirst about International Rafting Federation raft guide training. We also talked a bit some commonly debated best practices. News of the Week The 2020 Upper Wind Whitewater Festival is Saturday, March 14th Gear of the Week Bestard Boots (Mark) New Palm Equipment PFD (Mark)

This week Zach and Aaron talk with Greg Babikoff about cat boating, oars, team boating, and his recent experiences on the Smith River. News of the Week Snowpack in California is about 60%. It’s better in Oregon and Idaho but a lot can change in the next few months Here’s a video we talk about […]

In this episode Zach and Erik talk with whitewater legend Peter Fox about whitewater rowing theory and techniques. News of the Week BoatSmith just happened and it looks like they had great weather and water flows The Wind River Festival is coming up March 14th This Wednesday is the IOGA Gala featuring Peter Fox and […]

In today’s episode Zach and Dougie Fresh talk with prolific river guide and kayaker Chris Baer. We chat about his recent trip to China and discuss the questions and answers in Zach’s River Guide Quiz. Gear of the Week Astral Green Jacket (Dougie Fresh) Kokatat Hustle PFD (Zach) Ronin Pro PFD and Watershed Backpacks (Chris)

In this episode we talk with Jeff Compton about rafting Class V and some of his favorite trips.

News of the Week

BoatSmith 2020 just a few weeks away

Priscilla is starting to work with Outdoor Alliance

Gear of the Week

Makita Bluetooth Speaker (Zach)

Go Fast Camper (Erik)

Sawyer Canyon X Guide Paddle (Jeff)

In this episode Priscilla, Zach, and Dougie Fresh talk with Dustin Abbott about Heuristic Traps and how they apply to whitewater. This discussion led to a nice talk about giving and receiving feedback.

Dustin in his environment

News of the Week

Wild Rivers Night in Portland on February 6th (link for tickets)

Check out Zach’s 1st draft of a river guide quiz

Links from Dustin to read more

Four Stages of Competence

A New Look at the Conscious Competence Model

Dunning-Kruger Effect

The Human Factor 1.0

The Dialectical Utility of Heuristic Processing in Outdoor Adventure Education

Human Factors in Avalanche Incidents

Gear of the Week

NOLS Leadership Educator Notebook (Zach)

This week we talked with Aaron Lieberman the Executive Director of the Idaho Outfitter and Guides Association.

IOGA supports Idaho’s Outfitting Industry

News of the Week

Wild Rivers Night in Portland on February 6th

Check out Canyon River Instruction in Colorado for whitewater safety courses

The Grand Canyon speed record attempt comes up short

Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Workshop Meeting January 17th

Idaho Rivers United Salmon Advocacy Meeting January 16th

Gear of the Week

Apple Airpods (Zach)

Showers Pass Waterproof Socks (Priscilla)

Findster (Erik)

Selk’Bag (Aaron)

Thank you to Casey Garland aka Dr. Whitewater for the great song at the end of the podcast.

This week we talk with Daniel Stillman about the pros and cons of paddlecats (aka “shredders”). At the end of the episode Daniel shares details from a recent river incident he was involved with.

Daniel above Submarine Hole on the Illinois River

News of the Week

Check out the Whitewater Safety Workshops with Rapid Whitewater

IOGA’s Thaw Fundraiser on February 19th in Boise, Idaho

Gear of the Week

Get your American Whitewater membership (Zach)

The $25 Goodr Sunglasses Erik mentioned a few episodes ago fog up easily (Erik)

Thicker throw bag rope is good (Daniel)

This week we talk with Ian Fodor-Davis from NRS about the company culture and some of the new gear he’s most excited about.

Ian rowing Greenwall Rapid on the Illinois River

News of the Week

California snowpack looks good

Owyhee snowpack is at 117% of normal

Formal apology to Mr. Lieberman, the executive director of the Idaho Outfitter and Guides Association

Gear of the Week

Clam Tents (Erik)

NRS Longhorn Frame (Zach)

NRS Shirt (Aaron)

Midweight NRS Shirt (Ian)