WHITEWATER CONNECTION STAFF

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Whitewater Connection Guides from Around the World:

The Whitewater Connection River Guides will enhance your experience by sharing their passion for our rivers, and the ones they raft all over the world.
For many years, in addition to our great guides from here in the United States, our rafters have also enjoyed the international flavor and cultural experiences provided by our guides from different countries. You can learn from our guides about the local history of the Gold Rush Era as well as information about the food, cultural events, river trips and hikes available in the foreign guide's native countries. We know you will appreciate the experience and skill of all of our guides as well as sharing cultural customs with them.

Whitewater Connection 2011 Staff

Joe “ Ramjoe” Wiesler
The name says it all . Ramjoe has been around for, well, almost forever. He has been a mainstay in the Coloma valley for over 15 years. On Joes trip you just never know what he will bring along or what great adventures you and he will go on. Never a dull moment  when Ramjoes around, he brings his “unique” wisdom on every trip.

Becky Lee has been in the Coloma area most of her life, giving her many unforgettable memories of the beautiful American River. Being a true water lover she’s happiest when she is at the beach or surfing. Beckys first love is softball whether she is playing or coaching. She just needs to find a field next to water! Our easygoing laid back Becky loves anything that gets her adrenaline pumpin, constantly changes her hair color to confuse our boss and has a secret desire to become a kick butt bounty hunter! But in the mean time you will find her in our office, helping you plan your whitewater adventure. “Catch you on the flipside"!

Kurtis Dehaas’ Family has lived here in the Coloma/Lotus valley for generations. He has spent his entire life here in this small town. Many people have asked him why? He says why not! Kurtis has traveled all over the western United States hunting, fishing and capturing its beauty on film.He is quite the photographer.He has yet to find anyplace as beautiful as here. Kurtis runs our commissary but when he can manage to escape you will most likely find him on the softball field.

Trevor “T-Kool” Koolmees, Grew up Los Angeles California. Being 6’6 he is naturally a basketball player. As a Junior at Valley Christian High School Trevor won the CIF Southern section basketball title. He is now playing for Central College in Iowa and majoring in business management with a sociology and Spanish minor. Trevor has been rafting since he was 6 years old so it was only natural for him to become a river guide. He now spends his summers here in Coloma guiding for Whitewater Connection.

Sam Tester comes to us all the way from Wolombi, Australia. Sam began rafting a number of years ago seeing it as a great opportunity to travel, Guiding such rivers as the Tully in Australia the Tongariro &Buller in New Zealand and the Carhungai in Honduras kept him pretty busy but always managed to squeeze in a little surfing and bike riding. Rafting soon became his passion and getting to do it for a living is even sweeter. Sam says he will give up his bad habits as soon as equally good ones become available.  ”The world is my oyster, I’m allergic to oysters but the world seems like a pretty awesome place!”

“Spinney Gato” moved himself into WWC’s office and warehouse 2 years ago. Named after one of our former guides, Spinney spends his time sleeping around the office and mooching food from our guides. Occasionally he will go hunting but only if he has too. Spinney has defiantly brought a homey feel to our office.

Peter “Pops” Pierce 

Pops comes to us all the way from Cairns, Australia. Despite lots of bits having been broken all the limbs are in the right place and still working. Pops says when he grows up he wants to be a “Grade A” raft guide. From the looks of him he’s in no great hurry. Until then he’s content to stomp on the daisies not push ‘em up! All joking aside a trip with pops is a trip worth taking.

Don “Big Daddy” Koolmees Or back in the day, ”Koolio”

Don makes his home in Paramount California where he enjoys life with his family and squeezing in the occasional golf game. He’s been for rafting more years than he can remember, guiding dozens and dozens of rivers all over the Western United States. As Whitewater Connection’s Fearless leader he believes that all of us here at WWC do the very best to provide each and every guest with the best trip ever! Oh and we’re sorry we eat your cashews sometimes Big Daddy.“ A day on the river is as good as it gets”                                                                                                                        

Walter Fernando Monge Gamboa 

“Guapo” (which means handsome in Spanish) has been rafting in his home of Costa Rica for over 10 years He has guided on such rivers as the Pacuare, Sarapiqui and the Reventazon. He also guides jungle and sea kayak tours along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and southeast of Panama. You may even find him horseback riding through the rainforest. For years now Guapo has brought his beautiful smile to Coloma. He wants to spend more time on the North fork of the American river, WITHOUT falling in at bus crash!  “PURA VIDA”

Sandra Smith came here as a guest in 1989.As a hair stylist it wasn’t long before she was providing hair cuts for many of the guides who then convinced her to go to guide school. She’s been here ever since. Sandra makes her home in both Santa Cruz, and South Lake Tahoe where she sill is doing hair, specializing in organic hair products and ski instruction. Sandra’s 14 year old son Skyler shares her passion for snow and whitewater. Skyler has grown up around WWC helping out where ever is needed and getting on the water as much as possible! Future guide?? We think so.

Anthony Wieland is currently a student at the University of Arizona studying in International community development with an emphasis on photographic communications, but during the summer he’s all ours. Anthony’s love of music and photography naturally inspired him to start traveling, taking in all the sights and sounds this planet has to offer. Coloma may not be as exotic as a lot of the places he’s been but he can get here on his motorcycle! Makes some great monkey bread and rocks a mean Salmon Dance. “Aint no heaven for a thug” - TuPac

April Agranoff “Abrilita” Our little singing Bohemian comes to us all the way from Queens N.Y. She’s a College student majoring in sustainability with a minor in art and outdoor adventure leadership. Her Bohemian heart has taken her all over the globe but lucky for us always back to Coloma. This winter will be in New Zealand learning permaculture.She enjoys fine tuning her kayak skills, playing guitar and hanging out with her kitten “Uila”( Hawaiin for lightning)

Miguel & Maria.This beautiful couple comes all the way from Mexico. Miguel “Miggy” has been with Whitewater Connection for years. As you look around our camp and all it’s beauty, it’s all Miggys handy work. So don’t mess up his lawn and try not to sit on his fences. Miguel and Maria Finally married in 2010.Maria works in our commissary taking care of packing all your meals. Maria is fairly quiet but always flashin a smile and ready with a giggle. Without a doubt two of the hardest working people at WWC.