The Guides of Kern River Outfitters

Our guides are our greatest asset. They make your trip fun, safe and memorable. We put a lot of thought into hiring and training and we’re proud of what each individual brings to Kern River Outfitters.

Dillon Cole
Niceville, FL

Meet Dillon

Dillon Cole

Hometown: Niceville, Florida

Education: BA, Global Studies, UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: I had a pet crab growing up.

River Miles: 3,316 as of 1/11/19

“I grew up surfing and being in the water. River guiding has been an extension of that and I love where it’s taken me and the people I’ve met. I spend my offseason traveling and chasing barrels. I do a lot of trip leading for KRO, so if you go on a trip and I’m on it, I’ll be the guy talking, a lot.”

Billy Miller
Terlingua, TX

Meet Billy

Billy Miller

Hometown: Terlingua, TX

Certifications: Wilderness Advanced First Aid. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: I have PO Box number one in my hometown.

River Miles: Over 10,000

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have guided in a number of beautiful places and I hope I have the opportunity to share the Kern river with you. I have a son, Joe, and he’s already logged more river miles than any other four year old.”

Andrew Schwartz
San Anselmo, CA

Meet Andrew

Andrew Schwartz

Hometown: San Anselmo, CA

Education: BA, Global Studies, UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: I can juggle five objects at once.

River Miles: 1,415 as of 1/11/19

“I grew up swimming competitively, playing water polo, and lifeguarding, then moved to Santa Barbara for school so I could live near the ocean. I’ve always loved the water, and now my job is to play on a river! Can’t beat that.”

Byron Roos-Collins
Berkeley, CA

Meet Byron

Byron Roos-Collins

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Education: BA, Political Science, UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: I’m currently riding my bike across Africa

River Miles: 1,390 as of 1/11/19

“Hi! I’m a Trip Leader for KRO so it’s likely if I’m on your trip then I’ll be the guy with the clipboard. I’m writing this from Africa where I’m currently in the midst of an adventure of riding my bike from Cairo to Cape Town. Here’s a link to learn more about this epic. Looking forward to meeting you!”

Chey Daleiden
Bodega Bay, CA

Meet Chey

Cheyenne Daleiden

Hometown: Bodega, CA

Education: BS, Zoology, UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: Without fail, I spill at least one thing every day.

River Miles: 611 as of 1/11/19

“Jumped into whitewater guiding for a fun summer after finishing college, and now it’s a huge part of my life. Aside from whitewater, I enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, reading and spending time with my little niece. I’d say top three favorite things are Thai food, the ocean, and Northern California coastal redwoods. Hope you join us out on the river this season- I’ll be the smallest one with the biggest smile!
‘Live tiny, die never. tardigrade life.’ “

Mitch Solkov
Santa Rosa, CA

Meet Mitch

Mitch Solkov

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

Education: BA, Ethnomusicology at UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: I just released an album!

River Miles: ~1,200 as of 1/11/19

“My passion is music, I love playing stand up bass. I’m part of the Surf Rider Foundation. My cheesy quote is ‘I’m not just your river guide, I’m your river friend.’ “

Blair Meyer
Auburn, CA

Meet Blair

Blair Meyer

Hometown: Auburn, CA

Education: BA, Environmental Science and Anthropology at UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: Vacations typically mean going on a rad surf trip with my Dad.

River Miles: ~1,349 as of 1/11/19

“I love all things outdoors. Backpacking, surfing, rafting – you name it, all of it. This is my third season Trip Leading for KRO and I’m PUMPED for a big water year.”

Milly Chi
Clifton, VA

Meet Milly

Milly Chi

Hometown: Clifton, VA

Education: BA, Political Science at UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English, Mandarin

Fun Fact: I was a former Team USA athlete

River Miles: ~1,391 as of 1/11/19

“I love guiding rivers because it gives me a chance to connect to every brave soul that dares to step in my boat! I say brave because I’ve been known to tell some really bad jokes. In the off-season, I live in sunny Santa Barbara and spend my time rock climbing, surfing, and dreaming about big water! Doesn’t get much better than this!”

Patrick O’Connell
Dubuque, Iowa

Meet Patrick

Patrick O’Connell

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

Education: BA, University of Iowa

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: I like to ski fast.

River Miles: 2,112 as of 1/11/19

“I grew up in Iowa and knew I had to head West. I hit the Pacific and realized that was a tad too far so I backed it up a bit and landed in Kernville. River guiding has shown me a lot so far, and there’s so many more rivers to see, I’m looking forward to it.”

Sydney Lezberg
San Pedro, CA

Meet Sydney

Sydney Lezberg

Hometown: San Pedro, CA

Education: BS, Biology at UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder. Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: I am obsessed with The Office, but I swear the outdoors are just as amazing.

River Miles: 729 as of 1/11/19

“I seem to instantly become best friends with anyone that I guide. One of my favorite recent adventures was riding a motorcycle across Vietnam”

Augie Houlemard
Sebastapol, CA

Meet Augie

Augie Houlemard

Hometown: Sebastopol, CA

Education: BS, Earth Science, UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Swift Water Certification, CPR / First Aid

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: I can do a mean Chewbacca noise

River Miles: ~712 as of 1/11/19

“I took a class called Rivers in college, and rafting seemed like the next best thing to do. Plus I like sandwiches and free bus rides to work!”

Daniel Connell
Los Angeles, CA

Meet Daniel

Daniel Connell

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Education: B.A. UC Santa Barbara

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Fun Fact: I’ve ridden my bicycle halfway around the circumference of the globe.

” I’m currently riding my bike from Cairo to Capetown with Byron, but will be back to guide another AWESOME year on the Kern!!”

Tom HornKernville, CA

10+ years guiding

Montana DaveMissoula, MT

University of Montana

Matt DalySanta Rosa, CA

UC Santa Barbara

Micah CollinsSan Diego, CA

University of Massachusetts

Charles SlosbergOjai, CA

20+ years guiding

Miles Coles CurtisFlagstaff, AZ

Cal Poly

Ry GrivettiSanta Barbara, CA

10+ years guiding

Goatdog MoodyBoise, ID

Northern Arizona University

Kelley App
Littleton, CO

Meet Kelley

Kelley App

Hometown: Littleton, CO

Education: B.A. Humanities, Evergreen State College

Certifications: Swiftwater Rescue Professional, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Avalanche Safety Level I

Languages: English

Fun Fact:

” I met my man on the Kern River, we named our baby Finley Kern, we now live in Kernville and we all work for Kern River Outfitters!”

Skip Volpert
Point Reyes, CA

Meet Skip

Skip Volpert

Hometown: Point Reyes, CA

Education: B.A. History, Minor in Italian, University of Oregon

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder

Languages: English

Fun Fact:

” “

Ed JacksonLos Angeles, CA

Evan CalbiLos Angeles, CA

Operations

Matt AdkissonWimberly, TX

Chenoa Rochele SpanglerSevierville, TN

Adam BernbergFord Ranger, Isla Vista

Robert ReedSquirrel Valley, CA

Gary LucasBodfish, CA

Grace OverholtLake Isabella, CA

Ethan SchwartzSan Anselmo

Meet the Guides

#goKRO

The Guides of Kern River Outfitters

Operations