River Stories

Whitewater River Rafting and the pursuit of Happiness

by admin on February 20, 2013

Ari Kosel River Dancers river guideWhen someone asks me where my “happy place” is, I immediately answer the river.

River rafting has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I have fallen completely in love with being on the river.

River guiding combines all of my favorite elements into one outstanding experience. Not only do I spend my days on the rivers I love, but I also have the opportunity to meet and share my passion for rafting and nature with a wide variety of people.

What I love most about whitewater river rafting is the complete immersion into nature I experience as soon as I relax into the flow of the river.

As a guide, I hope to inspire others with my appreciation of the river and all the gifts nature has to offer us. The river is a unique intersection between civilization and complete wilderness, combining the thrills of rafting with panoramic views and incredible wildlife.

Ari knows how to chill!

By guiding, my goal is to encourage a continued appreciation for this amazing environment so that the river continues to inspire young adults, such as myself, to get involved in outdoor recreation and conservation.

Ari Kosel, river guide

Get inspired, get involved, sign up for Spring Whitewater Guide School on the Upper Sacramento River

May 4 5 and 6, 2013

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Trusting the Flow, a personal growth week-end facilitated by Nando Raynolds, August 10 11 &12

by admin on July 7, 2012

Kayaking the Klamath River is a thrill and an ego booster.

•    A fantastic long weekend playing on the Klamath River with friends!

•    Kick back and be taken care of by the great guides of River Dancers!

•    Learn how to paddle an inflatable kayak with confidence!

•    Connect with others while having an exhilarating whitewater adventure!

•    Float down the river and relax into the beauty of nature.

The focus will be Trusting the Flow of the river and of your aliveness. We’ll explore this through mindfulness, playful and enlivening movement, the river experience as metaphor, and emotionally intimate connection.

Nando Raynolds is a Psychotherapist and Life Coach, T’ai Chi and Chi Kung Instructor. His mission is to help you develop skills for change and to accept yourself and life fully. http://www.nando-r.com


The total cost for the trip is $485 or $450 if registered by July 15th.

Questions? Call Nando at 541-821-6623 or River Dancers at 800-926-5002


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Northern California Dreamin’ and River Rafting

June 13, 2012

Summer’s here, school’s out. Now is the time to look at how to make the summer memorable and valuable. Research has shown that children lose some of their academic gains over the summer, and perhaps parents can help turn that around, not with more “3R’s,” but with stimulating activities. “More nature can soothe body and [...]

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Whitewater Rafting and Restoration on the Upper Sacramento River

May 22, 2011

30 whitewater aficionados gathered at the Upper Sacramento Sims river access last Saturday, May 19th for the fourth annual Upper Sacramento whitewater rafting trip and river restoration project. Once again we focused on Scotch broom eradication, Scotch broom that is so abundant along the river corridor. The event was a collaboration between the Mt Shasta [...]

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Go Rafting, be Happy

March 16, 2011

Rafting’s a whole lot cheaper and way more fun than a sissy cruise You get to hang out with your friends, meet a bunch of new people and some pretty cute river guides It’s exciting and challenging and gives you bragging rights Take a break from food prep, lunch will be served to you alfresco [...]

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Hymn to the Dawn

July 14, 2010

The Hymn to the Dawn is River Yogi John’s favorite poem. If you’ve ever been on a trip with him, you’ve probably heard it… Look to this day, for it is life, The very life of life. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow a vision. But today well spent makes every yesterday a dream [...]

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A day in the life of a river guide

July 1, 2010

“River guiding is a cowboy sort of a job. You’re always sleeping under the stars and cooking outside and living on the shores of the river. A lot of people say, ‘Are you nuts? What are you thinking? But a lot of other people are really envious. A river takes you back to your primeval [...]

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Upper Sacramento River Bridge at the Sims River Access

June 16, 2010

This suspended bridge at the Upper Sacramento River Sims River Access was built in 1933. It was the first major construction project completed in the U.S. by the Civilian Conservation Corps crews in the 30′s. It took a bit of grit and determination for the Forest Service and the CCC to build it. Raymond Huber [...]

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Ah the River!

April 27, 2010

Ah the River… by Ann Walka “Who knows where she’ll take you. No matter what you’ve forgotten, everything you need is here. All you can do is go with the flow. Open your heart to the neighbors, to geese and beavers and lizards, to cactus and belly flowers. Welcome sand in your bed, laugh a [...]

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