by Maggie Viox
As I gaze upon the South Fork of the American River, I’m in awe at the immensity of this ecosystem. This valley can feel sleepy sometimes but it is teeming with life. Incense cedars, ponderosa pines and willows grow tall along the shore. The water is cold and clear and always on the move. The sand sparkles with flecks of pyrite. Horsetail ferns sway in the breeze, a glimpse into the prehistoric past. Geese honk and hiss, mergansers dive beneath the current, squirrels scramble across oak branches and chomp on acorns. A colorful parade of rafts and kayaks float through Highway rapid and disappear around the bend.
At Mother Lode, we’re fortunate to be apart of such a lively community. We live, work and play on this beautiful river and share the excitement and joy that is whitewater rafting. Every river trip is a new adventure and each time I guide my raft I’m reminded why I’m here.
I never envisioned I’d grow up to become a raft guide. I was raised in a safe and quiet suburb in the Midwest where all was provided for me and I wanted for nothing. I was a city girl who spent a lot of time indoors. After I graduated college during the pandemic and moved to New York City I grew restless and bored, desperate for adventure.
I felt a void only nature could fill so I left the city after several years and decided to solo road trip across the country, down the west coast, and ended up working for a ski resort in Colorado. I met my boyfriend there and last summer he brought me to the South Fork to become a guide.
Though I wasn’t sure if I was really raft guide material, I was eager for a challenge. I wanted to have a fun, splashy summer but more than anything I wanted to be inspired and see how far beyond my comfort zone I could go. I wanted to transform.
I discovered guiding was not comparable to anything I’d ever done before. I learned how to read water and found I wasn’t that great at it. I was frustrated by all the rocks I got stuck on and I struggled to stay in the current. All I could focus on was being afraid.
I realized that more than anything I had a real issue with being a beginner. At that point my definition of success equalled perfection. I didn’t like making mistakes and many times I wanted to give up. However the river gave me no choice but to persevere.
Raft guiding is an adventure that led me to empowerment. I’ve become a stronger and more well rounded individual. From getting perched on plenty of rocks and picking up swimmers I’m comfortable problem solving in a pinch. I’ve become more adaptable and more decisive. I’ve learned how to stay calm and focused when emotions run high. I’ve learned how to manage and guide different groups of people, including children.
Each experience on the river tests me in someway while also strengthening my resolve. There is so much nuance to river rafting and I
think understanding the shades of grey can translate positively into other areas of our lives. Nothing and no one is perfect. Being a beginner is nothing to fear. The only way to get better is to learn from your mistakes. A challenge is not something to back down from but something to embrace. I’ve redefined my version of success and in doing so, experienced the transformation I was searching for.
The river is an incredible place to learn about yourself. It doesn’t matter who you are, from all walks of life, the river doesn’t discriminate. Rafting is for everybody and the experiences you have on the water can better prepare you for challenges you face on land.
Whether you’re eager to unwind and relax on a hot summer afternoon or learn something new, rafting is a fun way to experience nature while empowering you to be your best self.
