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: Dillon 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: Billy has PO Box number one in his 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: Andrew 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: Byron is currently riding his 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, Chey spills 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: Mitch just released an album that he recorded in Nashville.

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: A vacation for Blair typically means going on a rad surf trip with his 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: Milly 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: Patrick likes to ski fast and has a twin brother whom he blames everything on.

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: Syd is obsessed with The Office, but swears 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: Augie is well known for his spot-on Chewbacca impression.

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: Daniel has 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 Horn
Kernville, CA

Meet Tom

Tom Horn

Hometown: Kernville, CA

Education: Associate Degree & ongoing enrollment in the Kern River School of Hard Knocks!

Certifications: Swift Water Rescue, CPR, First Aid

Languages: English, Hungarian

Fun Fact: Tom fear sharks, grizzlies, and heights, yet he’s spent all of his free time riding waves, exploring the wilderness, and rock climbing.
River Miles: Over 15,000

“Join me for the ride of your life!”

Matt Daly
Santa Rosa, CA

Meet Matt

Matt Daly

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

Education: BS, Biopsychology, UC Santa Barbara. MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (In Progress)

Certifications: Emergency Medical Technician, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: Matt works as a ski patroller in Tahoe during the off season.

River Miles: 1,080

“Hi future river friend, I am absolutely stoked to go rafting with you! If you like hitting things big, ask for Frog Man to guide your raft.”

Micah Collins
Holliston, MA

Meet Micah

Micah Collins

Hometown: Holliston, MA

Education: BA, Chemistry, UMass Amherst

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescue

Languages: English

Fun Fact: Fledgling Sailor and working towards his pilot’s license

River Miles: 3,150 as of 4/25/19

” I cut my teeth on whitewater in New England, now getting my raftin’ fix by guiding as many weekend trips as possible while working as a molecular biologist in SD.”

Charles SlosbergOjai, CA

20+ years guiding

Miles Coles CurtisFlagstaff, AZ

Cal Poly

Ry GrivettiSanta Barbara, CA

10+ years guiding

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

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: Skip has a first raft descent on Timber Creek in Montana and Panther Creek in Idaho.

River Miles: Over 10,000

“I like to think of myself as a decent guide and even better photographer. I’ve found it doesn’t matter if you raft class I or class V rapids, the river brings out the inner Huck Finn in all of us. I love it.”

Ed Jackson
Downey, CA

Meet Ed

Ed Jackson

Hometown: Downey, CA

Education: BS, Electrical Engineering, Chapman University | BS, Fire & Emergency Mgmt, Purdue University

Certifications: CPR/FA Instructor, Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: If Ed isn’t boating, you’ll find him running. He’s ran a half marathon in every country he’s visited.

River Miles: Over 4,000

“Viam inveniam aut faciam – I shall find a way or make one”

Evan Calbi
Los Angeles, CA

Meet Evan

Evan Calbi

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Education: BA, Politics/Journalism, Occidental College | MFA, Master of Professional Writing, University of Southern California

Languages: English, Spanish

Fun Fact: Evan often works as a freelance musician but remains completely terrified of karaoke.

River Miles: 3,100

“What’s better than a day (or two) on the river? I love the Kern and find myself returning season after season to share the experience with people. “

Millie Fergoda
San Mateo, CA

Meet Millie

Millie Fergoda

Hometown: San Mateo, CA

Education: Tulane University New Orleans, LA

Certifications: Wilderness EMT

Languages: English

Fun Fact: Millie has a twin brother.

“”

Alia Ajina
Arcata, CA

Meet Alia

Alia Ajina

Hometown: Arcata, CA

Education: BA, Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara

Languages: English, Spanish, Swedish

Fun Fact: Alia has split boarded to the top of an active volcano in Chile!

“I grew up between the redwoods and the ocean, am obsessed with fungi & mushrooms, and somehow always seem to be in the water. I’m stoked on this upcoming big water season! Can’t wait to see you out there! “

Operations

Matt Adkisson
Wimberly, TX

Meet Matt

Matt Adkisson

Hometown: Wimberly, TX

Education: Masters of Business Administration, Sam Houston University

Languages: English
Fun Fact: Matt was a nationally ranked pole vaulter in college.
River Miles: Over 10,000

“”

Adam Bernberg
New Orleans, LA

Meet Adam

Adam Bernberg

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Education: BS, Computer Science. BA Political Science, Minor in Italian at UC Santa Barbara

Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Russian

Fun Fact: Adam knows four languages and has been to 53 countries.

River Miles: 3,289 as of 3/1/19

” I love running half marathons and my dream is to run one in a new country each year.”

Robert ReedSquirrel Valley, CA

Matt Volpert
Point Reyes, CA

Meet Matt

Matt Volpert

Hometown: Point Reyes, CA

Education: B.A. Geography, UC Santa Barbara

Languages: English

Fun Fact: Matt’s two favorite words are snowpack and CFS. His latest hobbies have been metal detecting, meteorology and figuring out all that smart home hardware.

River Miles: Over 10,000

” I love my job because I love river guides. They’re always up to something fun and have good stories to tell. The guides that make up KRO are all outgoing and I hope when you join us you’ll see it’s not just the river that makes the experience, but mostly the guide.”

Gary LucasBodfish, CA

Meet the Guides

#goKRO

The Guides of Kern River Outfitters

Operations