Kelly sparked an interest in whitewater after first rafting with his son on a school trip with Nantahala Outdoor Center. He would then return to Guide School with no intention of guiding as a job – but his love of whitewater steered him back to NOC and he has been with us for 18 years! Kelly is a skilled paddler with a long list of certifications and accolades – he is certified in NREMT, WEMT, an Eagle Scout, was part of the US National Sailing Team in the 1980 Olympic Year, and the Rankin County School District Bus Rodeo Champion in 2017 and 2019.
When Kelly isn’t taking on every trip NOC has to offer, he is enjoying a Liverpool Soccer game, coaching High School soccer, surfski racing, hunting, or teaching a Guide School at NOC to introduce a new generation of guides to whitewater. Kelly is most proud to have watched his daughter grow her fondness of guiding and whitewater, she recently completed an 18-day Grand Canyon rafting trip leading 11 of her friends.
