Reservations Manager (and guest-star guide) Beth Gagnon
Name: Beth Gagnon
Hometown: Waterville, ME
Age of First Rafting Trip: 10 years old
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: I became a whitewater guide in 2008 — after having guided full time for 7 years and various ventures, found my way back to the river through Northern Outdoors in 2022 as the Reservations Manager & a part-time guide!
What type of guiding do you do? Whitewater Rafting
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors?
The people! Guests and co-workers alike–they’re all amazing, fun to be around, and they make it such a happy and exciting environment to work in!
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
While I love the Kennebec any day, my favorite river to guide is probably the Dead River.
The Dead River is a special treat because it only releases a handful of times a year. Because we don’t see it every day, like we have the opportunity to on the Kennebec or Penobscot, the Dead keeps us guides on our toes a bit more. It forces us to hone in on the technical skills that we learned in guide training, like reading water currents and navigating rapids. My favorite rapid is Poplar Falls because its features are big and wild–and being that it’s the last rapid of the trip, it’s an adrenaline pumping way to conclude an amazing day of whitewater!
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
Tough to pick just one as there are so many great memories made at Northern Outdoors! One that sticks out was from my first summer working here. I helped a Mom from Cape Cod book a weekend of lodging and activities for her and her teenage/adult sons. Upon their departure, I was handed a gift bag full of goodies local to the Cape, and it included a hand-written note thanking me for the patience, advice, and suggestions I provided to her while she was planning their trip here. In the note, she described the help I provided and their adventure at Northern as ‘priceless’ because they made memories that they’ll have forever. This note has since lived at my desk at work and serves as a constant reminder of why we do what we do. A ‘normal’ day in the office for me can help create a priceless memory for a total stranger.
I love sharing what I love to do and the area I love with new people!
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
The Forks region is my playground! I live here, work here, and play here! On days off during the summer, I like to take my own raft out on the river with friends & family, spend time relaxing on my deck at home, grow some veggies in the garden, and hike with my dog! In the winter, I enjoy snowmobiling in the greater Forks area or ice fishing on local lakes, over on Moosehead, or up north in the Allagash. I’m always up for an adventure, especially one outdoors and with great friends!
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
What off-season?! 🙂 I’m one of the lucky ones that works at Northern Outdoors full-time year-round! In fact, guiding is part-time for me as I manage reservations and guest services. Give Northern a call to book your adventure and you’ll find out first hand what I do in the off-season! Outside of work though, I love to play on the river, hike, spend time with my dog and two cats, and snowmobile and ice fish in the winter time!
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
At Northern, I received the Manager of the Year award for my first year, and also have won the Rolls Royce Award for presentation and professional conduct.
What rivers have you run outside of Maine?
I have paddled on the Gauley and New rivers in West Virginia! It’s a whole different whitewater world down there–so fun, so beautiful and wild! It’s a great place to experience whitewater and other outdoor activities.
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Aqua, because hydration is key!–but I’ll take a Pilsner or a Sledhead Red to go with it!
