River Reflections: River Guide Program History

Play a little word association game with me, OK?

If I say the word “river,” you would say “water” and if I say the word “water,” you would say “paddle.” (OK, “drink” or “wet” may also be logical choices, but “paddle” is one of the top 3).

This exercise highlights the significance of traveling the Wolf River in a canoe, kayak or sit-on-top, a lesson not lost on the founding members of the Wolf River Conservancy. Aside from the fact that all of them loved both paddling and the Wolf River, combining these passions was  inevitable.  

In the early years of the Conservancy, a core group of individuals would regularly paddle the river section that is today known as the Ghost section. This group consisted of Tommy Hill, Dale Sanders, Charles Askew, Larry Smith and Keith Kirkland. These early trips would have been massive undertakings consisting of bushwhacking a way through, around or over downed obstacles. With great endurance and heroic effort, this group was able to clear a navigable path down the river between 2003 and 2008. Continued maintenance has been and will continue to be required to keep the route clear. Ultimately, there came a time when they realized that the mission of the Conservancy would be greatly enhanced by having clients, guests and donors experience the wonder of the Wolf for themselves. The individuals listed above constituted the first loosely formed group of guides for this task.  

Additional people were soon added to this group, largely from experienced paddlers of the local Bluff City Canoe Club such as Jimmy Burkeen, Mary Finley, Leanne Logan, AJ Johnson, Margaret Welch, Mike Watson, Sandy Stacks, Dan Powell and others. The trips during this time were randomly scheduled to support the needs of the organization – PRN, to use a medical acronym meaning “as needed.”  

Shortly after this second wave of volunteer river guides began to assist, the decision was made to implement a more formal and disciplined program. It was determined that a paddle would be conducted on the Ghost section and on the First Saturday of each month. These events would be open to any member of the Conservancy and a benefit of their membership in the organization. Such regular paddling events required a more disciplined set of guides as well as written standards for their performance and actions. The task of developing the River Guide Handbook fell on the shoulders of Dale Sanders and he completed the initial draft in 2011. A search for additional guide resources was conducted and in December of 2011, I accepted an invitation to join the program. Under the enticement of free beer and pizza, I attended the event and was instantly smitten with the challenge to both paddle and interact with the great supporters of the Wolf River Conservancy.  

Our guide program has grown over the years.  In 2024, 36 guides participated in the volunteer river guide program. These 36 were indispensable in safely guiding 797 guests safely down the river.  They also helped to support 59 events for the Wolf River Conservancy. We thank our dedicated and hardworking Wolf River Conservancy volunteer river guides from the bottom of our hearts!

Nowadays, many of the original guides from years ago can no longer paddle with us, but we carry on their tradition on the first Saturday of each month, offering a guided First Saturday Paddle trip on a different section of the Wolf River. Why not come out soon and play with us?  Our amazing guides will ensure that you have a great experience.

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