John

John was studying engineering at Ohio State when he first came rafting as a guest on the New and Gauley Rivers in 1997. He went through training and began working as a river guide with ACE in 1999. In 2000, John found a love for kayaking which transitioned him into becoming a video boater during the 2003 river season. In 2009, John made the “Gauley River Rapids” videos and website which still remain an invaluable training resource for boaters on the Gauley today.

He is the owner of Virgin Timber Lumber Co. which salvages hardwoods from old houses in WV, repurposing it into rustic furniture and wood outlet covers. When not guiding, John loves embarking on wilderness self-supported kayak trips and has been fortunate to have completed many of the classics – Grand Canyon, South Salmon, Selway, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Marsh Creek-Middle Fork Salmon, Shavers Fork of the Cheat to name a few. He spends his winters working Ski Patrol at Snowshoe Mountain, WV.