Maine Whitewater Rafting Guide: John Hamilton
Name: John P Hamilton
Hometown: Brunswick, ME
Age of First Rafting Trip: 10
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: 2019
What type of guiding do you do?Whitewater Rafting
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors?
The challenge of operating a safe and fun river trip. All of our guides have worked hard to learn the river, the laws, safety protocol, etc. but every group you take down the river is different. You could have a group of hardcore outdoor athletes one day, and a senior citizens book club the next, Every morning you are presented with a group of guests from all walks of life and they’re looking at you to show them a great time on the water while keeping them safe.
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
Kennebec River at high water. You only get a limited amount of chances to run Maytag every year, so being on a high water trip is a special event.
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
My training class was thrown right into the fire during our week long license course. We saw several days of 10,000+ CFS Releases. At the time is was pretty nerve wracking but looking back I see how it made me a better guide to train at such an extreme level.
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
I love The Forks area trails and waterways. You can live here year round and not run out of things to do or see. I’m always looking for that next perfect fishing spot.
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
I’m lucky enough to work for Northern Outdoors year round. I get to see all four seasons of Northern Outdoors adventures.
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
Whitewater Level Two
I also run an aquaculture business with my family in which we grow, harvest, and sell Oysters from Maine’s coastal waters.
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Big Mama Blueberry
Meet our crew: Northern Outdoors Maine Guides, and learn more about John’s favorite trip: Kennebec High Water Rafting.
