Jared Smith

Jared Smith, also known as Blue, is a kayaking and swiftwater rescue instructor at NOC with 12 years of kayaking experience and 5 seasons of instructing under his belt. He is originally from Versailles, KY, and has a background in music education.

Jared was introduced to river-related activities through raft guiding in western NC, but quickly found his passion for kayaking. He joined NOC five years ago and holds ACA kayak instructor level 5, ACA SWR level 4, and WFR certifications. In his off-season, Jared enjoys playing music and pursuing his hobby of astronomy astrophotography.

When asked about his contributions to NOC, Jared humbly refrains from bragging and prefers others to speak about his achievements. He has no favorite river or section of the river in the southeast, as he believes they are all beautiful and unique places.

Certifications:

• Kayaking Instructor
• Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
• ACA kayak instructor level 5
• ACA SWR level 4
• WFR certifications