In 1972, I was a poor college student looking for a job. Through a long, convoluted series of circumstances, I ended up getting a job as a river guide in the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions. Little did I realize at the time that I was beginning a love affair that would carry on for the next fifty years and change the course of my life. With a double major in Economics and International Relations, I was planning on a career either in government or international business. After my first river trip in the Grand Canyon, my whole attitude changed. All I thought about was having my own company and being an outfitter.
As with most people in love, I wasn’t making too many rational decisions, but I was persistent and I had more than my share of good luck. I finally ended up graduating from college and being able to buy the Idaho operation of Western River Expeditions. Since that time, I have been able to share the river with literally thousands of customers who, once they come on the river, also become friends. My good luck got even better when I met and later married a beautiful girl who also loved the river and didn’t care if I made a lot of money or wore a suit and tie to work every day. Over the years, we have managed to fit seven kids in between river trips and they are all true River Rats. (As a proud dad, I need to mention that they are all ‘A’ students.) As the picture of Jonathan on my lap shows, we start them on the river early.
Action Whitewater Adventures is a true family business and our family invites you to come join us on the Main Salmon River. Over the past fifty years, we have worked hard every year to improve our river trips and to provide the very best river experience possible for our friends who come with us on the river.
Verle Duerden with Jonathan starting on the river early.