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In the March/April issue of Paddler Magazine, Paddler did an article on “8 Classics from the Culture of Raft Guiding” and I was included as one of the eight. Six of the eight were from out west. What I was most proud of was the fact that only two other of the guides are still guiding whitewater on a regular basis, whereas I hope that my career isn’t yet half over.
Paddler has gone to focusing on rafting every year in their March/April issue. I recommend subscribing to Paddler, but at least get the March/April issue, as there is good rafting stuff in it, including of course my article on page 62 about two first descents I did accidentally. See www.paddlermagazine.com to subscribe.
Jeffrey Moag was the one who originally interviewed me and wrote the article about me for the March/April 2004 issue. Here is the article that Jeffrey wrote:
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“Glenn
Goodrich: The Godfather In a universe of whitewater gluttons, Glenn Goodrich is famous as the one person whose river hunger is never satisfied. “Guiding is a passion to me”, says the godfather of Southeast rafting. “I like all aspects of it-the thrill. I love guiding Class V+ rivers, but I also like guiding Class II rivers and working with clients.”
Goodrich is always ready to
guide a second trip, and he’s notorious for instigating a play
sessions that end long after sunset.
When the companies roll up their rubber rafts for the season,
Goodrich rallies old friends for expeditions farther afield.
In the process, he’s pioneered now-classic runs all over the
world, including a sight-unseen run of
Goodrich, who mostly guides
for USA Raft and Appalachian Wldwaters, earned a college degree in
computer science in 1976 and could have surfed the cutting edge of the
computer revolution to certain riches.
Instead he joined his friends for a weekend raft trip, and
hasn’t stopped since. Regrets?
Not for a minute, he says. He’s
boated more than 200 river sections and run seven rivers more than 100
times. He’s
notched at least 600 river days on the Pigeon near his home in For 23 of those years, Goodrich has hosted “G2-Day,” an impromptu rafting festival for friends and friends of friends that has become Gauley season’s hottest ticket. The two-day party starts with Goodrich leading the faithful in prayers to Earl the river god, and ends with him handing out trophies like “Best Costume” (last year’s prize went to an R2 crew dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants), and “Ray’s ‘I Meant to Do That Award’.” In between, he nails the hairiest lines on the river. “Everybody angles for spots in Glenn’s go-for-it boat,” Cornell says. This year he’s planning an extra big blowout for his 50th birthday. He’s calling it “A Raft Guide Looks at 50” with apologies to Jimmy Buffett’s song “Pirate Looks at 40”.
The Goodrich legend is not
without its holes. He’s
infamous for arriving at put-ins without his gear, and once drove a bus
loaded with bigwigs from Appalachian Wildwaters’ biggest client into a
ditch. On river, though, his
legend grows with each deft paddle stroke, every flash of his infectious
smile. It’s been that way
for 27 years, and Goodrich swears it will be the same for many more. “I
want to keep guiding at least 50 seasons,” he says.
And why not? “I
work with lots of 20-year-olds, and I’m always the one saying
‘Let’s go for another trip’.”” |
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Raft Guide Looks at 50 Photos Courtesy of Shred
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