Our Travel Specialists (2024)

Peter Grubb & Betsy Bowen

Founders

Having discovered whitewater raft guiding on the East Coast while attending college, Peter moved to Idaho in 1979 and founded ROW as a company focused on wilderness rafting trips. His exposure to the earth's communities through travel, coupled with attendance at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland where he studied the "Great Books," mythology, and western civilization, led he and Betsy to Turkey in 1984 where they launched ROW's first international trip. ROW has since branched out to over 25 countries throughout the world and Peter usually does the initial research and new tour development. Peter has a passion for nature, travel, reading and learning and believes strongly in the positive power of travel and the ways it can improve the lives of everyone touched. He speaks French, basic Spanish, plays the guitar and is still very involved in the company, wearing a number of hats and guiding in the field as time allows. He has served on a number of Boards, including the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Idaho Rivers United, the Spokane Center for Justice, and the America Outdoors Association.

Co-owner of ROW, Betsy Bowen was a professional ceramicist prior to her immersion in ROW, and has always been an anchor in the sometimes turbulent seas of business. A favorite among guides, Betsy led many of ROW's early rafting trips as well as yachting tours to Greece, Croatia and Turkey. Once her daughter Mariah and son Jonah were born in the early 1990's she transitioned to the challenging world of motherhood, imparting to her children her passions of skiing, art, creativity and giving to others. She has been sanctioned as the "Director of Other Stuff" because of her wide variety of talents including project management, plumbing, wiring and logistical expertise. Her artistic eye is evidenced throughout ROW as well. Nowadays she is less involved in the day-to-day doings of ROW, but remains a vital part of our team.

Juggling the demands of the ROW Family of Companies (ROW Adventures, Adventure Unbound, Sea Kayak Adventures)keeps life vibrant and Betsy and Peter are both a wealth of knowledge, experience, and most importantly, care and support for the entire team.

Michelle Darnell

Director of Marketing

Michelle has found her home at ROW Adventures as ourDirector ofMarketing. Graduating from Whitworth University with a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education and Kinesiology, Michelle forewent her dreams of teaching in lieu of opportunities in the outdoor recreation industry. For the past 16years Michelle has focused her time and energy into roles that support outdoor recreation and travel. As a proud mom of two, Michelle has a renewed passion for this work; hoping to inspire the next generation to love, nurture, enjoy, and beocme stewards of our natural resources andoutdoor spaces.

Michelle and her Family love new adventures, whether it’s exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest or discovering a new International destination, they’re happy when the scenery is new and unexpected. A few favorites are Acadia National Park, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Quebec City. Michelle is a doting mom, an avid sports fan, loves to cycle, and doesn’t take herself too seriously! If you run into her, she’s likely to have a smile on her face, a coffee in her hand and a few good books ready to go on her kindle app.

Tom Scarborough

Area Manager

Guide since 2003: WA, OR, ID. Joined ROW in 2007. Tom has a unique skill set. He is able to recite Dr. Seuss’ poem “The Lorax” from memory, brew a mean pint of beer, drive a bus, milk a cow, cook a tasty Dutch oven lasagna, and write a Microsoft Access database. On top of all that, Tom is a great guide and a wealth of information about the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains. He currently manages ROW’s Rogue River operation where he sings guests to sleep with the smooth sounds of the 70s and his signature number “Waltzing with Bears”. Originally from New York, Tom has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Cornell University and an extensive work history ranging from a YMCA summer camp director, to transportation director for a Washington ski area, and finally a river guide. Tom also has a passion for all things bacon, tinkering and pop music.

Guiding Destinations: Rogue River, OwyheeRiver, Grande RondeRiver

Candy Bening

USA & Rivers Sales Manager

Born in 1964, raised in Santa Cruz, California. WW Rafting guide since 1989: CA, ID, MT. Moved to Idaho in 1993; and joined ROW in 1994.

After spending 10 yrs in the high-tech industry, Candy made a life-altering change and became both a rafting guide and ski patroller. In her over25years with ROW, she has worked in the field guiding, evaluating, managing, and traveling with ROW thus gaining first-hand knowledge of all the ID, MT & OR rivers and many of the Int’l vacation experiences including the Galapagos Islands.

Her friendly, outgoing personality, as well as her expertise, has made her succeed in the office overseeing sales, and assisting guests by offering suggestions and solutions to ensure each person/family has the best time ever!Candy, along with her husband and two girls, are avidwhite water rafting enthusiasts. Together they have joined ROW on rivers all over the West.

Destination Specialties: USA Rivers

Favorite Trip: "There is no better place than the river canyon you are in"

Connelly Brown

Area Manager

Guide since 1988: WV, CO, CA, MT, ID. Joined ROW in 2002. A native of the Nutmeg State, Connelly Brown (“CB” to most) now resides year round in the mountains of Northeastern Oregon with his wife and two kids. CB has been a guide since, wait for it, the late 1980s. For years he worked as a “migrant wave farmer,” living out of his truck as he followed the snowmelt and work from one river to the next throughout the year.

In 2002 he joined the ROW team and has served as both a guide and manager. While guiding a ROW trip, he met the woman who would become the love of his life. They now make their home in northeastern Oregon, where CB runs a backcountry ski business. One of the quirkiest and most pleasant of people, CB is all about keeping it mellow and making memories on the river. Whether fishing for sturgeon, charging the big hits, telling stories or leading a hike, CB has a way to make your experience unique. He is also a Certified Interpretive Guide.

Guiding Destinations: Salmon River, Family Magic (Salmon River Canyons)

Brian Kohl

River Guide

Guide Since 1999: CA, CO, AZ, ID, MT. Joined ROW in 2014. A boater since high school, Brian has an impressive guiding skill-set and has benefitted from a two-decade whitewater career. While Brian’s impressive river resume makes him a valuable asset to the ROW team, folks most often remark about his steadfast enthusiasm and eclectic passions. An accomplished ceramic artist, Brian holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from California State University, Fullerton and teaches ceramics at the college and elementary school levels. For personal enjoyment, Brian competes in kickball for the World Adult Kickball Association and plays the American flute (a real highlight on river trips).

Guiding Destinations: Middle Fork, Lochsa River

Jonah Grubb

VP/General Manager

Guide since 2011 MT, ID, WA, OR, China, joined ROW 2010. Jonah's first rafting trip was on the Salmon River at 9 months of age and it's fair to say he has grown up rafting. Since becoming a guide, he has become an avid kayaker and all around outdoorsman spending his free time climbing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking and hiking. He also loves projects and can be found helping friends upgrade their houses or building out their camper vans. After graduating from Pomona College with a Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Jonah found himself travelling the world, including spending a year in China raft guiding on the Salween and Daqu (upper Mekong) river and kayaking on days off, including a solo kayak first descent on the Kanas river in the far northern region of Xinjiang. Now back in Idaho, Jonah has taken on the role of ROW's Operations Manager with a hand in the logistics of all our trips across four states.

Connor Young

River & Bike Guide

Originally from Taos, New Mexico, Connor Young is a Computer Science major who began river guiding in 2021. He has since worked on rivers throughout Idaho, Washington, and Montana, and says that he loves seeing clients fall in love with the “overlooked” recreational landscapes of Idaho’s panhandle. Connor first went down a river with his parents at just 18 months old but it wasn’t until he got involved in rafting in college that he saw how it could bring people together. Case in point: flipping on a race course in New Mexico and seeing how quickly people sprang into action as a team. When he’s not on the river, Connor can usually be found on a bike and says his special skill is putting 15 bikes in a trailer in 15 minutes. His experiences in the outdoors have ranged from flipping on a bucking horse at the age of 6 to sailing across the Atlantic Ocean on a 40-foot yacht and bike-packing the length of New Zealand’s South Island.

Diego Vega Romero

Baja & British Columbia Kayak Naturalist Guide

A native of La Paz, Baja Sur, Diego spent a school year in the USwhile in high school and thus has a great understanding of both English and American culture. In addition to being a talented sea kayaker, Diego loves to play basketball and is on a team when back home in La Paz. Other hobbies includedrawing, travel and eating. He attended the University of Guadalajara to study Biology with an emphasis in Entomologyand then the University of LaPazwhere he went on to earna Masters Degree in arid land ecology, most fitting for the Baja peninsula. Diego joined the Sea Kayak Adventures team in 2017 and is passionate about sharing the natural history of Baja, both in the water and on land, with our guests. In addition to guiding sea kayaking tours, Diego works in Cabo Pulmo National Park as a snorkeling guide, a skill he also enjoys sharing on our trips.As of 2023 Diego started guiding in British Columbia applying his sea kayaking skills andecology knowledge to a new area up north. With a great sense of humor, friendly personality, and unmeasurable depth of knowledge in marine life and the natural world, Diego is a favorite among our guests.

Johnny Nelson

Area Manager

From the Silver Valley city of Kellogg, Johnny Nelson has been kayaking since he was a teenager and spent his summer vacations on family camping trips exploring the great outdoors. He says that one of his most treasured childhood memories is sitting on the docks in Harrison and watching the sky ignite with fireworks above. Johnny is currently completing his Associate of Arts in Outdoor Recreation while guiding clients through the wilds of Idaho and Washington. He says it was adventuring on Hawaii’s Molokini Island that sealed his fate to work in the outdoors and pursue a guiding career. When he’s not on the river, Johnny is out hiking with his wife and dogs, playing djembe drums, and cooking up a storm alfresco.

Alec Gordon

River Guide

Coming soon...

Amaranta Uribe

Baja Sea Kayaking Guide

Amaranta was born in Guadalajara and raised in the small city of Colima, close to the Pacific. Growing up in a family with four siblings kept her parents busy and often outdoors. Adventures to the seashore sparked an early love of the ocean and as a young girl, Amaranta developed a passion for the sea and the animals that make it home. This led her to university studies in biology, and then a move to Playa del Carmen to be on the sea. All this was perfect preparation for becoming a guide and in 2016 she was introduced to Sea Kayak Adventures by some friends. She soon was thriving as a guide, enthusiastic about the lifestyle and ability to share her knowledge. Amaranta guides our kayak tours as well as serving as a naturalist guide at our whale camp in Magdalena Bay. During the off season she spends time with her family, creates delicacies in her kitchen, practices yoga, climbing and gets out camping whenever she can.

Jason Kruger

Adventure Consultant

Born and raised in Coeur d' Alene Idaho, Jason has always had a great appreciation of getting outdoors. He attended college at the University of Idaho earning a Bachelors's degree in physical education, health, and outdoor program leadership. Jason is passionate about sharing nature with others and enjoys seeing their reactions to new experiences.

Jason enjoys the four seasons that the North-West has to offer and the changing scenery and outdoor opportunities presented with each of the seasons. When not in the office, your likely to find Jason; on the water, wilderness backpacking, hiking, biking, snow skiing, or riding on motorcycles and ATVs.

As our resident comedian, you're likely to find Jason telling jokes to co-workers or fellow guests on a trip. If you're lucky enough to get on the river with him, you're sure to laugh a lot!

Destination Specialties: USA Rivers

Favorite Trip: "That is like asking my favorite beer or ice cream!"

Michael (Mike) Mourar

River Guide

Philadelphia-born Mike Mourar has been hooked on rafting since he first flipped on the Lower Youghiogheny River at the age of 12. He’s since completed a BS in Outdoor Adventure Education and an AA in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and has guided trips throughout Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Costa Rica. He says that it’s the beauty of floating through remote wilderness areas that inspires him to be a guide, with a highlight of his career being NOT flipped on the Grand Canyon’s Crystal Rapid while running the river at 40,000 CFS. One of his most amazing life experiences? Climbing an active volcano in Chile during a full moon. In his free time, Mike likes to play his four-note harmonica or explore scenic backroads on his motorcycle.

Bill Sedivy

River Guide

A river guide since 1990, Bill has worked part-time for ROW since 2004 and joined our full-time team in 2022. Born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area – near the headwaters of the Cuyahoga River, which infamously caught fire in 1969 – Bill has been rafting and canoeing rivers for more than four decades. A former journalist, Bill published in 1995 a collection of short stories about river running called River’s End: A Collection of Bedtime Stories for Paddlers. Over the years he’s also worked hard in various capacities to protect the rivers, fish and wild places he has grown to love. From 1996 to 1999, Bill served on the board of the national advocacy group, American Whitewater. He served six years as president of the non-profit Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition (2007-2013). From 1999 to 2015 Bill worked as executive director of Idaho’s only statewide river conservation group, Idaho Rivers United (IRU). During his tenure at IRU, Bill led efforts to protect the Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers of Southwest Idaho as federally protected , and, guided the organization to several other important river conservation victories. In 2015, he was named a national “River Hero” by the nationwide association of river conservation groups, The River Network. Since his ‘retirement’ from IRU, Bill has worked mainly as a river ranger for the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management on various rivers. He spends his winters bird watching, attempting to learn Spanish and doing a little rafting — in Costa Rica.

Guiding Destinations: Snake River, Salmon River Canyons

Ante Batarelo

Croatia Guide

Born & raised in Sydney, Australia to Croatian parents, Antewentto Croatia in 1991 for a '1 year student exchange program' and ended up permanently settling in Split with his wife & 5 children. A History & English graduate, part time university lecturer and loads of other ventures are compiled into over 20 years of active tour guiding for Ante. Heloves traveling and going to off the beaten track places and in hisfree time & hiking in Croatia & neighboring countries. He believes that finding the balance for each guest is one of the most important things in hosting a successful tour along with adding personal touches and incorporating goodwining & dining for a truly unique experience.

Ryan Baier

River Guide

A blacksmith by trade, Ryanrecently returned to the river to pursue his passion for guiding, which was first ignited in 2008 on the Colorado River. He’s always had a love for the outdoors, with his most vivid childhood memories involving cliff jumping at Westwater Canyon and chasing goats through Lodore Canyon. Ryan loves discovering new landscapes and new rivers, whether it’s in the United States or in one of the 30+ countries he’s visited. Highlights of his global wanderings include standing on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in a snowstorm, walking the legendary Inca Trail, and watching a stampede of wildebeest on the Serengeti plains. He loves good food, good friends, and good stories, and tries to squeeze as much out of life as possible. Ryan's recent endeavors include finishing an Immersive Software Engineering Course and working as a Software Developer, along with Blacksmithing and running his home farm! When he’s not rafting, or working, Ryan’s busy shoeing horses, hiking with his dog “Rooster”, and pursuing his search for the world’s best ramen. (If you see Ryan on the river, please give him a cup of coffee!) :)

Rian Garn

River Guide

Originally from Arizona, Rian says that she never set out to be a river guide but was “scouted” while working at a wilderness lodge on Oregon’s Rogue River. A group of guides suggested it was something she would be great at and she has been “happily rowing rivers ever since”. Rian is highlyactive in queer advocacy and representation in the outdoor community. She adores the rivers in the Pacific Northwest for their “unparalleled natural beauty and human history”, with the joy of successfully rowing the “Greenwall” rapid on the Illinois River among her highlights. When Rian’s not on the river, you’ll find her traveling the country, listening to podcasts about wilderness journeys, and finding creative ways to share her love of gardening, history, and environmentally friendly beauty products with others.

Guiding Destinations: Rogue River

Alejandro Magaña

Baja Sea Kayaking & Whale Watching Guide

Alejandro, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, now lives in Loreto where he has been a whale watching and sea kayak guide and logistics coordinator for Adventure Unbound. He personifies guest service and adds panache to our tours. He also runs his own business selling day tours in Loreto and is a wonderful artist and photographer. Go visit Alex at the Loreto marina snack shop for his vast knowledge of day tours in the area.

Connie Kennedy

Area Manager

Guide since 1985: ID. Joined ROW in 2012. Connie is one of the true veterans of Idaho Whitewater. Born and raised in Nebraska, Connie came to Idaho for a river trip in 1976. A few years, a few more Main Salmon trips and one life-changing National Geographic television special later, she and her husband packed up, left Omaha and moved to Idaho to begin life as river guides. She has now guided every season since 1985, and after hundreds of multi-day trips down the Snake and Salmon rivers has accumulated an astounding number of river miles and a legendary knowledge of Hells Canyon. As a long-time resident of the local canyons, Connie has a lifetime of stories to enrich your trip. Connie lives year round in Riggins, Idaho (“Idaho’s Whitewater Capital”) with her horses, cats, and husband Mike.

Guiding Destinations: SnakeRiver, Salmon River Canyons

Mariah Crawford

River Guide

Born in a yurt and living without electricity until the age of 8, Mariah has always had a close relationship with the outdoors. Her first rafting experience was during a camping trip in the Cascades with her dad. Later she signed up for guide training after a week-long adventure on the Deschutes River where her guide couldn’t stop talking about how great his job was! She’s adventured through Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, and Chile and recently graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Marine Biology. Mariah says that she loves the diversity of the rivers she gets to run and is particularly nostalgic about a day she spent exploring the natural waterslides of the White River. On days off, you’re still likely to find Mariah beside a river - hiking, reading a book, or showing off her guitar skills.

Guiding Destinations: Rogue River, Deschutes River

Claire Pickett

River Guide

Claire Pickett’s first experience with rafting was in high school when she took a trip down the Colorado River’s “Diamond Down” section with her outdoor club. Since then, she has taken on the responsibility of being a guide for the outdoor program at the University of Arizona in Tucson where she is studying a Bachelor of Natural Resources. Not only has she run a Class IV river with very little kayaking experience (resulting in a runaway boat and paddle) but she has a knack for ending up with random bruises, without any recollection of how they got there. When Claire’s not on the river, you’ll probably find her hiking, reading, or traveling (one of her most amazing travel experiences involved venturing deep into a Belizean cave in search of Mayan ruins).

Paul Poli

Corsica Naturalist Guide

Paul was born in Bastia and has lived in Corsica his entire life. He loves the diverse nature of the island and loves sharing the wonders of his home with people from all over the world. He believes that “hiking through Corsica is like traveling through time.” Corsica is the intersection of Mediterranean culture and history hidden in the romantic surrounding environment of the island.

Paulhas been a fishing guide, conferral guide, mountain guide, and naturalist guide. No matter the adventure, Paulis destined to say yes. He is also the author and host of a documentary series dedicated to the heritage, culture, and nature of the scented isle called Fora di Strada. Paul Poli feels passionate about conserving the raw natural beauty of his home island and encourages travels near and far to do the same.

Kim Cunningham

River Guide

Growing up in Eastern Oregon and living in Idaho as an adult has given Kim a deep appreciation for all things outdoors. Kim first got involved in boating in 2017 when some Idaho friends introduced her to Montana’s Yaak River. She’s since guided throughout Idaho and Montana and loves the varied scenery, stunning views and rugged terrain. In the off-season she is a middle school choir teacher and has a background as a saxophonist with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. In her free time she loves to shred the ski slopes, go rock climbing, or spend time on the river!

Guiding Destinations: Middle Fork of the Salmon, Idaho Rivers

Reya Fore

River Guide

Seattle-native Reya Fore is one of the newest members of the ROW Adventures team and began guiding in 2022. She is currently studying at Whitman College, which is where she got her first taste of rafting and the river lifestyle. But Reya is no stranger to the outdoors, having backpacked with her parents as a kid and spending many summers swimming in alpine lakes. In fact, one of the most amazing experiences she has had was on one of these adventures when she made eye contact with a big mountain goat. When Reya’s not on the river, she’s busy at college, doing what she describes as “mediocre” cartwheels and climbing trees.

Andrés Trujillo

Galapagos Sea Kayak Guide

Andres Trujillo is a world-renowned professional naturalist from Bogota, Colombia. He is currently living in Quito, Ecuador. He is passionate about wildlife, forests, oceans, music, and sharing conservation everywhere he travels. He focuses his efforts on creating memorable experiences for his clients in nature with local people in their natural environment. Andres is well known for his knowledge of wildlife and culture. His photography, people skills, and love for nature and adventure.

When he arrived from Colombia, he was raised in a humid rainforest in the northwest lowlands of Ecuador, where he fell in love with nature. After seeing the issue of deforestation as a child, he started spreading the word about sustainability and conservation, years after he studied ecology and ecotourism working in the Amazon rainforest, with nature and indigenous tribes, who played an important role for him to understand and to approach the issue of human development.

Sharing his love for wildlife photography, he can be a great companion for people who want to cover a country capturing special creatures or momentsto take home.With his camera, binoculars, and all the equipment needed, he is able to sharethe world the best destinations for nature and adventure that Latin America has to offer.

Ivana Grzetic

Dubrovnik City Guide

Ivana was born and raised in Dubrovnik in a "crazy about the sea" family of scuba divers and sea kayakers. She is a graduate of ACMT (American College of Management and Technology) in Dubrovnik. As Miss Universe Croatia 1998 and a fashion model, Ivana traveled all over the world, including Hawaii, California, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Europe. She now looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love of the Dubrovnik region and the sea with our guests.

Thomas (Tommy) Hurrell

River Guide

Tommy’s first experience whitewater rafting was as a seven-year-old on Wisconsin’s Brule River and he began working as a sea kayaking and whitewater canoe guide in 2011. Originally from Winfield, Illinois, he’s since guided throughout 10 states, as well as working in Mexico and Canada. In describing the rivers of the northwest United States, he says they are like nowhere else and “immerse us in a deeply intimate relationship with the natural world”. Aside from holding degrees in political science and education, Tommy’s working towards a Master's of Outdoor Adventure and Expedition Leadership at Southern Oregon University. When he’s not on the river, you’ll likely find Tommy backcountry skiing in Siskiyou, exploring the Southern Cascades, or doing home improvement jobs. He’s also a passionate explorer and ventures abroad at every chance to make new connections in little-visited regions of the globe.

Kristen Petros

River Guide

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Kristen fell in love with the river around five years ago when a friend took her down the Payette. Since that time, she has worked as a river guide in Montana, taking inspiration from the incredible natural scenery she has encountered and the people she has met along the way. Kristen is a qualified physical therapist who is passionate about treating people with neurological injuries and the geriatric population. Ultimately, she wants to creatively assist people in achieving their highest level of independence so they can explore the world around them. When she’s not on the river or at work, you’ll find her snowboarding, mushroom foraging, and backpacking, with one of her most memorable experiences being climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Özlem Şimşek

Turkey Tour Guide

After growing up in Turkey, Özlem has graduated from Law school and completed a master's degree a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology. She participated in the excavations of the ancient Ionian site Klazomenai at her home town Urla.

Her special interests include classical choirs with over 20 years of participation as an alto inBoonville MO. Methodist Church Choir, Miami Bach Choir, Izmir French Cultural Association Choir, and Izmir Municipality choir. She also enjoyshiking, gardening, cooking, and sailing. Her vast experience, educational background, and charming personality make her an exceptional adventure guide.