Meet our Guides and Staff

Our profesional Whitewater raft guides at Adirondac Rafting Company strive to provide the best possible experience for you and your family.

We Hire the Best Guides on the Hudson River!

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation maintains a program for the licensing of outdoor guides. From rock climbing to fishing, this program serves to ensure that outfitters provide their guests with talented and professional guides equipped with the skills necessary to provide a fun and safe whitewater rafting experience. Adirondac Rafting Company guides are the best on the river with vast whitewater and wilderness experience.

Our Team

Brad Rafferty

Brad is the son of Bob & Kerry, he was practically born in whitewater and when he is not busy guiding trips he is busy teaching Math, Physics, coaching, etc

Owner

Laura Rafferty

Every great rafting company has a powerhouse behind the scenes, and that’s Laura. From running the retail store and checking guests in at the front desk to hopping behind the wheel of a bus, she does it all. Laura keeps the operation moving and the vibes high from start to finish.

"The real boss"
Founder / Guide

Bob Rafferty

Bob started Adirondac Rafting Company back in 1997 and has been guiding trips through the Hudson Gorge since the mid 1980’s, yikes.

Reservations

Kerry Rafferty

Kerry is the heart behind the original retail store at the rafting base, having created it from the ground up alongside her husband, Bob. Now partially retired, she still lends a helping hand by answering reservation calls from time to time, ensuring guests are greeted with the same warmth and knowledge that helped build the company from the start.

Alissa Rafferty

Alissa, daughter of Bob and Kerry grew up with big brother Brad in the Adirondacks. She is quite busy with the Adirondack chapter of the Nature Conservacy, but will get out on the river once in a while.

Guide
Dan Guide

Dan

Dan is our go to family Specialist River Guide and once in a while one of his own lucky kids jumps in a raft with Dad. He also does some great work on the digital end of things here at ARC. Don’t let Dan know I edited his info in.

Guide
Guide

Zach

Zach is a highly experienced raft guide with countless trips down the river and a calm, capable presence in every rapid. When he’s not guiding, he’s a tech teacher, a Division I hockey referee, and the go-to handyman around the base. Whether it’s fixing gear or navigating whitewater, Zach always gets the job done right.

Guide

Carrie

Carrie is a well-traveled Adirondack mountain woman with a very wide variety of interests and expertise. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a wider breadth of knowledge regarding the Adirondack region. She knows every wave in the Hudson Gorge.


Willoughby

A true people person with a knack for creating memorable experiences, Willoughby is your go-to guide for an unforgettable river adventure. His ability to connect with others and his love for the river make every trip a guaranteed good time.


Guide

Sandy

Sandy is an Adirondack Renaissance woman! She works as an art teacher, coach, photographer, and raft guide. She‘s easily one of the most experienced guides on the river. When she’s not guiding in the back of a raft, you can usually find her floating alongside in a kayak providing safety and support for the trip.

Guide
Guide / EXP outdoors owner

Billy

Big Wheels has achieved Celebrity Guide Emeritus status at ARC, returning periodically as a special guest star! After guiding with us for many years, Billy founded the Experience Outdoors zip lines and ropes course near Lake Placid. We encourage you to check it out!

Adirondack Murray
Guide

Jeff

Jeff is the ultimate all-season back-country Adirondack guide. As comfortable behind the controls of his plane as he is with a paddle in his hand, Jeff runs the river with the best of them. Rafting the mighty Hudson with Guide Jeff is half party, half adventure, and 100% whitewater fun.

Drew Guide
Guide

Drew

By day, Drew inspires young minds as a dedicated music teacher, but come summer, he trades his classroom for the thrill of the river. With a passion for the great outdoors, Drew spends his summers guiding whitewater rafting adventures and serving as a mountain steward in the high peaks of the Adirondacks. His dual love for music and nature makes every trip with him a harmonious blend of excitement and serenity.


Mo Guide
Guide

Mo

With the best personality on the river, Mo is the go-to guide for Adirondac Rafting, capable of handling families with ease or entertaining rowdy groups. Her infectious energy and warm demeanor create an atmosphere of fun and excitement on every trip, ensuring that every rafter, regardless of age or temperament, has a fantastic time on the water.


Len Guide
Guide / O.G.

Len

Len is one of the original guides from the beginning of recreational whitewater rafting on the Upper Hudson River. His experience literally traverses five decades. When Len was a rookie guide the glaciers were receding and there were still mammoths wandering about. He knows the botany of the Hudson River Gorge better than anybody due to his role as a Head Forester formerly managing the woods around the river.


Matt C Guide
Guide

Matt C

Matt C. brings his expertise as a tech teacher to the river, sharing his passion for paddling and the great outdoors with every adventurer he meets. When he’s not in the classroom, Matt can be found guiding whitewater rafting trips, where his enthusiasm and knowledge ensure an unforgettable experience for all.

Guide

Greg

Greg is a champion ski racer and works as a ski patroller nationally. His keen eye and attention for detail makes him a valued and integral member of the ARC family. His positive energy, tremendous river knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport of rafting is legendary. His guide spiel is a master class in whitewater paddling and river lore.

Guide

Jackson

Known as Goldi Lox, Jackson is a freestyle ski coach who shares his expertise and passion for skiing both in the winter and summer. When he’s not coaching on the slopes, Jackson brings his adventurous spirit and skills to the river as a whitewater rafting guide, ensuring every trip is as dynamic and exciting as his freestyle moves.

Mak Guide
Guide

Mak

Mack is an extraordinary outdoor educator and guide, renowned for his exceptional leadership in the realm of outdoor adventure sports. Armed with a bachelors in Expeditionary Studies from SUNY Plattsburgh, he has unleashed his insatiable thirst for excitement through a captivating odyssey of work, travel, and exploration. His daring escapades encompass invigorating sea kayaking escapades in the untamed Pacific Northwest, as well as the heart-pounding role of a masterful whitewater kayak and rafting guide on a multitude of the exhilarating rivers that crisscross our remarkable nation. Notably, his expertise also extends right to our own backyard, the awe-inspiring Adirondacks!

Guide

Emory

A true whitewater enthusiast, Emory‘s passion for adventure knows no bounds. Whether he’s kayaking the gnarly rivers around the country, rock climbing, ice climbing, snowboarding, or mountain biking, Emory is always seeking the next adrenaline rush. Currently out west, Emory plans to bring his love for adventure back east soon, where he’ll continue to share his passion as a whitewater rafting guide, inspiring others to embrace the thrill of the outdoors.

Guide

Dwight

Mack is an extraordinary outdoor educator and guide, renowned for his exceptional leadership in the realm of outdoor adventure sports. Armed with a bachelors in Expeditionary Studies from SUNY Plattsburgh, he has unleashed his insatiable thirst for excitement through a captivating odyssey of work, travel, and exploration. His daring escapades encompass invigorating sea kayaking escapades in the untamed Pacific Northwest, as well as the heart-pounding role of a masterful whitewater kayak and rafting guide on a multitude of the exhilarating rivers that crisscross our remarkable nation. Notably, his expertise also extends right to our own backyard, the awe-inspiring Adirondacks!

Guide

Frank

A true whitewater enthusiast, Emory‘s passion for adventure knows no bounds. Whether he’s kayaking the gnarly rivers around the country, rock climbing, ice climbing, snowboarding, or mountain biking, Emory is always seeking the next adrenaline rush. Currently out west, Emory plans to bring his love for adventure back east soon, where he’ll continue to share his passion as a whitewater rafting guide, inspiring others to embrace the thrill of the outdoors.