Maine Rafting and Hiking Guide: Brent Arsenault
Name: Brent Arsenault
Hometown: Freeport, Maine
Age of First Rafting Trip: 18
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: 2002
What type of guiding do you do? Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Leadership Programs
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors?
I’m so fortunate to work and play outside in the mountains and rivers with amazing people.
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
I love the Kennebec River. The continuous stretch of high volume whitewater from the Rock Garden through Big Mama and into the Alley Way never gets old.
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
There was one trip that I had a German family in my boat who spoke very little English. We were headed into a rapid, and when I asked them to start paddling, no one moved. I tried again, “All ahead!” Nothing. I poked one of them in the back with my paddle and made a paddling gesture as I yelled “All ahead!” They got the idea. I learned a little German that day, they learned a little English and we made it down the river.
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
The White Mountains are a favorite place that I don’t get to nearly enough, but there is so much to do right out our door here in the Kennebec River Valley. Mountain biking, play runs on the river, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, you name it, it is one big playground.
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
I live in Keene, New Hampshire and work as a ski patroller at Mount Snow over in West Dover, VT.
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
Maine Whitewater Guide Level II
Outdoor Emergency Care Technician
National Ski Patrol
I also know a few magic tricks that impress anyone under the age of five and Ryan Roderick.
What rivers have you run outside of Maine?
Colorado River, Arizona
New River, West Virginia
Youghiogheny River, Pennsylvania
Swift River, New Hampshire
Magalloway River, New Hampshire
Rapid River, New Hampshire
West River, Vermont
Kicking Horse River, Brittish Columbia
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Magic Hole IPA!
