I've been reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn this summer. Playing by and in the river sure sounds fun, so I thought maybe I'd give it a try. Matthew Leonard is a raft guide and trip leader for High Mountain Expeditions in Banner Elk, NC. They give guided rafting trips down rivers in Tennessee and North Carolina. High Mountain Expeditions is a family-owned business, so Matt grew up on the river, and he's been a rafting guide for the past six summers. He was glad to talk with me about what it's like to be a rafting guide.
TRUMAN: What does it take to become a raft guide?
MATT: To become a raft guide for our company, working on the Watauga River, you must be highly certified in first aid, CPR and white-water safety. Keeping everyone safe on the river, while still having fun, is of upmost importance.
TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in this profession?
MATT: Ever since my first rafting trip when I was six years old, I have always loved rafting; soon after my first experience, it became my dream to spend my college summers as a raft guide for High Mountain on the Watauga River. Working on the river makes for a fun day. I am able to meet new people and guide down the raging waters all day. I also get to work with my brother and sister, and they have taught me a lot about being a rafting guide, as they are much more experienced than I am. To this day, I cannot think of a better way to spend a summer break than on a river.
TRUMAN: What do you do? What's a typical day on the job?
MATT: As a raft guide for High Mountain Expeditions, we follow a strict schedule of fun! We start our mornings by making sure all the rafts are blown up. After loading the rafts onto the trailer, we count out the paddles to make sure we have one for every guest. After the equipment is ready, we make sure lunch is packed and in the gear truck. The gear truck is driven by my twin brother, Chris. The gear truck leaves before anyone else and gets to the river to make sure everything is prepared for the clients. When they begin arriving, we make sure everyone receives a PFD, also known as a life jacket, so they can be safe on the river. Next, we load High Mountain's big red bus and head to Elizabethton, TN, where the fun really begins. On the bus, I try to entertain the guests by making them laugh, telling jokes and sometimes acting silly. I do great impressions of people. I get to make funny faces a lot. It rocks! Before we get into the rafts, we have a picnic lunch, where the excitement of going rafting is really built up! Once lunch is over and paddles are handed out to everyone, I give a very important safety talk. It's extremely important for me to make sure everyone who will be rafting knows how to be safe on the river and what to do in an emergency. This is one of my most critical duties as a guide and trip leader, other than making sure everyone has a great time, that is! After all that, it is finally time to get into the rafts and start paddling down the river. I make sure all the rafts stay together and are not separated throughout the day. But once on the river, it is my job to make sure we go through all the rapids, have water fights, get wet and most importantly, have a great time!
TRUMAN: Are you ever scared on a rafting trip?
MATT: There have been times when I have been scared on a rafting trip. White-water rafting is a thrilling experience, but in certain situations, the water can be dangerous. It is important to always be alert and aware of how the water is flowing through the river. Every river is different, so it is important to take every trip, regardless of your experience, seriously.
TRUMAN: What do you do if your boat flips over?
MATT: If the raft were to flip over, as guides, we would simply flip the raft back over. Raft guides are trained to make the best of these sticky situations! As a guest on the boat, you would want to make sure you are in river float position, lying on your back with your toes and head out of the water. Either your guide or another guide will get to you almost instantly.
TRUMAN: What's the wildest river that you have ever been on?
MATT: The wildest river I have ever been on is the Gauley River in West Virginia. It is one of the most popular advanced rivers in the country. The Upper Gauley has class five rapids throughout its 10-mile stretch! The raging white water is quite exciting and challenging. I hope to continue to raft many different rivers to gain more experience so I can become the best raft guide that I can!
TRUMAN: What's the hardest part of your job?
MATT: The hardest part of my job is to make sure everything throughout the day is run smoothly. If my job is not done correctly, it could result in the entire trip suffering the consequences. It is especially important to work together with my fellow raft guides and help each other when needed.
TRUMAN: What's the best part of your job?
MATT: The best part of my job is doing what I love. What could be better than spending a summer outside on the river?
TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in this profession?
MATT: If you are interested in being a white-water rafting guide, you simply just need to know how to have fun on the water, and all the safety precautions too!
TRUMAN: Thanks for talking to Kidsville News! My rafting trip down the Watauga was great! You really do have a terrific job.
