Maine Whitewater Rafting Guide Conor Doherty
Name: Conor Doherty
Hometown: Natick, MA
Age of First Rafting Trip: 19
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: 2020, trained in 2015
What type of guiding do you do? Whitewater Rafting
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors?
Working at Northern Outdoors is awesome. My favorite part is the camaraderie that the entire staff has, no matter what department you work for. It definitely feels like family here at Northern Outdoors.
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
I don’t think I have a favorite river to guide, all 3 of the rivers are very unique in their own way. The Alley Way on the Kennebec and Mile Long on the Dead are definitely in my top favorite though.
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
My favorite memory at Northern Outdoors is the first time I guided here. Guiding in town for 5 years prior and not seeing how the operation worked was definitely a change for me. I think the change was a good thing in the long run, I definitely feel like I fit in here.
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
When not working, I enjoy playing on the river with friends, bringing my river dog (Ninja) down to the local swim spots and just enjoying the beautiful landscape up here. I also enjoy golfing with some other guides whenever we get the chance (we work too much 😉).
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
During the off season, you can find me at Sugarloaf ski resort. This season coming up(22-23) will be 10th year as an employee at Sugarloaf. It will be 6th year as a Sugarloaf Ski Patroller, and my 3rd year as an Operations Foreman for Sugarloaf Ski Patrol.
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
Covid 2020 “Rookie” Guide of the Year
(Only mug at the bar with Covid written on it)
2021 Outstanding Performance Award
After running the Front of House in the Kennebec River Pub & Brewery and full time guiding all summer long (man that was a crazy summer).
What rivers have you run outside of Maine?
I have been to Western Massachusetts to guide a few trips on the Deerfield River. Three years ago, my self and 15 friends completed a 21 day trip rafting through the Grand Canyon. I have also been on a single day trip rafting glacier melt off in Iceland (that was the coldest water I have ever felt).
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Pour Over Pilsner
