Maine Whitewater Rafting Guide Justin Trainum
Name: Justin
Hometown: Hampton, VA
Age of First Rafting Trip: 18
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: 2018
What type of guiding do you do?Whitewater Rafting
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors? The people. Great coworkers, excited guests we get to take down the river everyday. It’s a blast!
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
The Penobscot River hands down. I think my favorite is the Cribworks. It’s super technical and challenging, and what a rush making it to the bottom right side up!
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
Level II guide training. A week of ripping rapids on the Penobscot, right next to Baxter State Park. Just an amazing time!
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
Out exploring! Trying to learn to whitewater kayak, looking for moose, hiking, pretty much anything outside.
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
I mostly do odd job work to make ends meet and give me the flexibility to travel. This past year was Poland and Costa Rica, next year who knows!
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
I was lucky enough to receive Rookie of the Year in 2018. I did a Swift Water Rescue in the spring of 2019.
What rivers have you run outside of Maine?
I haven’t done any yet but hoping to soon!
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Pale Ale. All day.
