Meet Our Guides
Daniel
OWNER
Over 10 years as a whitewater rafting guide, Daniel has instructed tours on the Arkansas, Taylor, Colorado, Gunnison, Gauley, and Tongariro Rivers. On a trip to the Salt River in 2016, he became side tracked, and spent 2 months living and working on an organic farm outside of Paonia, CO. Days off were spent exploring the many local rivers in his kayak. He founded Western Slope SUP to share these incredible water ways with other river running enthusiasts. These days he enjoys paddling on the Gunnison River, hiking in the West Elks, and mountain biking at Jumbo Mountain.
Bekah
GUIDE
Bekah has guided on rivers from North Carolina to Alaska. She is passionate about dance, nature, and good food. She loves to share her knowledge of local wildlife on her guided tours. Aside from being a SUP instructor, she teaches ballet, assists at elementary school, and manages a farm stand. In her free time she enjoys hiking, bird watching and raising goats.
Robyn
GUIDE
Robyn picked up paddle boarding in 2017 and has quickly became an extraordinary paddler. Within a week, she was standing through class III rapids on the North Fork of the Gunnison. She has since introduced the sport to many new paddlers, including her daughter Tatum, who often accompanies Robyn on the Gunnison River.
Landon
GUIDE
Landon grew up just 15 minutes from the Gunnison River, and has been around boats and rivers his whole life. Landon and his father Mark, who owns and operates Long Haul Folding Kayaks out of their Cedaredge home, have traveled coast to coast, testing and demonstrating their world renown, hand-made boats. In 2017, Landon discovered a new way to run rivers: SUP, a skill he can share with you on your next trip!
Ben b
GUIDE
Artist, architect, river guide. Ben is a man of many passions. In the Summer he can be found rock climbing on the cliffs of the Grand Mesa, photographing nature in the Adirondacks, cruising in his Mini, or guiding your river trip. He has been known to spend winters guiding rivers in Chile, and exploring overseas. When you walk into our shop, you will see Ben's photography on display.
Ben L
GUIDE
Ben is a professional photographer (visit his gallery in Paonia!) with a long history of exploration and service blurring the lines between work and play. His guiding experience includes trekking action in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, caving and backpacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, roaming active volcanoes in New Zealand, and leading educational adventures in Yosemite National Park. Ask him about Peace Corps service in Ecuador or hiking 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada! When he's not sharing lessons and laughs on local waterways you'll find him scampering through magical wild places with his cameras or goofing off with his dog Ayla. Learn more at www.lehmanimages.com
Gordy
GUIDE
Gordy's guiding career has spanned decades. He has worked professionally on the Arkansas River, high in the Colorado Rockies, as well as just about every river in the State of Utah. His main passion is the volunteer work he does with kids in Delta County. He spends much of his spare time in the great outdoors with the many children he mentors. He also regularly volunteers to guide multi-day river rafting trips for disabled clients.