Bookings

Beginner

Lower Middle Fork American River

Intermediate

Upper South Fork: Chili Bar

Lower South Fork: The Gorge

Full South Fork: Chili Bar + The Gorge

Multi-Day South Fork Rafting Trip

Advanced

Middle Fork: Tunnel Chute

North Fork American River

Our Team

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Family Owned & Operated

Meet Our Team

DERIC

Owner, Father, Rafting Guide

I’m Deric and I’m the owner and the head guide here at Sierra Whitewater. After 25 years as a daily newspaper editor I was looking for a change of lifestyle that would allow me to do something I loved everyday, so Sierra Whitewater was born. We are extremely proud to be a family owned and operated business since 2008. Our goal is to give guests a completely safe, fun-filled day on the river that they will never forget! If you want a gentle ride and to focus on the scenery, or to nail and surf all the biggest holes, it’s your trip and we just insist that we keep safety, respect for the river and fun in mind.

I have safely guided thousands of guests on fun-filled river trips for many years. I am advanced swiftwater rescue certified and have served as trip leader and head guide countless times. I love meeting people of all ages and backgrounds, being outdoors, laughing, telling jokes and hearing rafters’ stories. In the offseason when I’m not on the river you can find me on the ski slopes. I’m also a ski instructor, a competitive bowler and foosball player.

ACHSA

Daughter, Rafting Guide

Achsa has been with Sierra Whitewater since 2008 and grew up in the area boating on the local rivers. She is our General Manager as well as Director of Operations. She is an avid animal lover and spends her winters teaching Special Education as well as volunteering for various non-profits related to animal rehab and rescue.

PAIGE

Daughter, Rafting Guide

Paige is a seasoned whitewater rafting guide. She loves the great outdoors. During the off season you’ll find her in the snow. She’s a successful ski racer and back-country skiing expert, winning numerous championships during high school. Paige is our Human Resources Director and Administrative Director. When she isn’t rafting she is advocating for Social Justice alongside her husband and two children.

DREW

Rafting Guide
Drew has been with Sierra Whitewater for over 8 years and is a favorite among young thrillseeking rafters and families alike. He was raised in the Coloma area and has literally lived on the river banks. He is a “gearhead” who enjoys all the latest in river-rafting gear and safety equipment. Drew loves spending time on the river and when he hitting the whitewater, he spends his time with his wife and three small children.

IOWA

Rafting Guide

As a senior member of the Sierra Whitewater Team, you can find Iowa leading trips on any excursion we offer. When he isn’t working on the river, he travels for rafting around the country, occasionally taking his passion internationally when time permits. He can always be counted on for a fantastic trip focused on adventure, safety, and some great stories including those about his beloved bulldogs.

ADRI

Rafting Guide
Adri grew up in the Bay Area, and moved to Sacramento with her family in high school. She fell in love with rafting on a school trip in junior high and even pursued it in Ecuador! COVID shut downs gave her a chance to dive into raft guiding, and she loves guiding trips down The Gorge. When she isn’t rafting, you can find her partner dancing, roller skating, biking, and adventuring.

STEVE

Rafting Guide
Steve is originally from Chicago and has been rafting commercially for 10 seasons. He has ample experience working in Outdoor Education as well as working various rivers on multi-day trips. He is passionate about expanding the knowledge base of outdoor education and loves rafting down the Grand Canyon, Main Fork Salmon, and many others in the ‘off season.’

JOE

Rafting Guide
Joe was born and raised in Northern California and has always had a passion for outdoor adventure, including exploring the American River systems. When he isn’t rafting, he spends his free time skiing, rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, and fishing.

CARL

Rafting Guide
Carl grew up in Gold Country and has been rafting for over 10 years. He loves rafting with all types of crews and also knows all the great local hiking and fishing spots! Carl remains local in the off season, working and spending time with his family.

ROBERT

Rafting Guide
Robert is originally from the Bay Area but one day decided to visit the Sierra Nevada’s, and never went back! He has been working on the river over the past 12 years. When his daughters were born he moved them to the river to pursue his passion full time and to allow his girls to grow up in the place he loves most. When he isn’t rafting, you can find him and his girls exploring the amazing river systems of the West Coast.

AYDEN

Rafting Guide
Growing up in Auburn, CA, Ayden Danovaro has lived around the American River system for his entire life. He travels from the beach to the mountains each year as a double-major student at University of California, Santa Barbara. As an Eagle Scout, Ayden has spent years in the outdoors and in his community. When he isn’t rafting you can find him spending time with his family and friends or singing Italian Opera.

AARON

Rafting Guide
Born and raised in Northern California, Aaron loves all things paddling. A UC Davis history graduate, he is fascinated with the history of Gold Country. When Aaron is not rafting you can find him downhill skiing, playing ultimate frisbee, or going to concerts in the Bay Area.

JARED

Rafting Guide
Jared grew up in Tennessee and started his rafting career on the Pigeon River in the spring of 2000. Jared spends as much time as he can on the ski slopes during the off season. When he’s not serving up rapids on the American River he’s serving up delicious drinks behind a local bar in Winters, California.