Orion River Rafting’s Story
Orion River Rafting wasn't created to make money.
It wasn't designed to take advantage of a niche.
People, Purpose, Pleasure and, then Profits.
That has always been our mantra. Our hallowed mission statement.
After four decades and five years, it is still a work in progress, but that remains our goal.
Our Staff
Passionate about teaching river rafting from A to Z, and back again.
James L. Moore
Owner, Instructor
1978
Dane Doerflinger
Instructor, Lead Guide
1983
Kristin Lavelle
Instructor, Lead Guide
2007
Colin Sternagel
Instructor, Lead Guide
2008
Emily Johnston
Partner, Instructor
1986
Robert Kolden
Instructor, Lead Guide
1991
Kayla Applebay
Instructor, Lead Guide
2001
Liam Elio
Instructor, Lead Guide
2008
Ariahna Jones
Instructor, Lead Guide
2008
Nancy Martella
Instructor, Lead Guide
1987
Clyde Dildine
Instructor, Lead Guide
1994
Brent Roth
Instructor, Lead Guide
2012
Amanda Close
River Manager/Lead Guide
Sam Sauerbrei
Instructor/Lead Guide
Kevin McConnell
Lead Guide
Tanner Papritz Instructor/Lead Guide
Nicholas Sund
Guide
Matt Fadness
Lead Guide
Xander Martinez
Instructor/Lead Guide
Mariah Crawford
Guide
Aurora Potts
Guide
Annapurna Beavon
Lead Guide
Sammi Vaneaton
Guide
Kelly Williams
Lead Guide
Nolan Brown
Guide
Gus Bekker
Guide
Chris Copeland
Guide
Jim Farris
Guide
Robin Thomas
Guide
Steve Laboff
Guide
K. Jackson
Guide
Tessa Smith
Guide
Dusty Webb
Lead Guide
Nora Jorgensen
Guide
Molly Elder
Guide
Josh Kirsch
Guide
Kati Schmidt
Guide
Katie King
Guide
Mason Stuart
Guide
Ruth Aaron
Guide
Raine Halvorson
Lead Guide
Sean Hitchcock
Instructor/LeadGuide
Nicole Haskey
Instructor/Lead Guide
Lizzie Bridges
Marketing Director/Guide
Max Trieger
Guide
Sam Lowe
Guide
Emily Busse
Instructor/Lead Guide
Ethan Orlaska
Instructor/Lead Guide
“The people” -K. Jackson
“My friend Annapurna invited me to go on guide training with Orion and I stayed because I felt at home here. The people made me feel like I could be my true self.” -Dusty Webb
“Orion is a multi-generational and gender balanced company that makes everyone feel welcome and comfortable while learning skills that can be uncomfortable at first!” -Ruth Aaron
“Good People, Good Vibes” -Raine Halvorson
“The community feels like a family” -Kevin McConnell
