Our Guides
Each season brings new guides from New Zealand and around the world. All are river professionals and great cooks as well! We are the only company on the Whanganui river that hires guides with river rescue qualifications and Canoe specific guiding certificates. Your safety, comfort and river experience is our total priority!
We are very fortunate each season to be able to employ some of the best river guides you will find anywhere in the world. Canoe Safaris is the only company to employ "full time" guides - they are trained professionals and their experience and knowledge can make a huge difference to your enjoyment and safety on a trip. All guides are trained in First Aid/CPR, and most also have qualifications in Swiftwater Rescue, Risk Management, Weather reading, and many are qualified Raft guides.
They are also great cooks and entertainers.
Canoe Safaris has over 30 years experience on the Whanganui and Rangitikei Rivers - we are passionate river paddlers and we enjoy sharing this passion, along with the best river and camping equipment with our customers.
Aidan Williams
Aidan just loves canoeing!! He has been canoe guiding for years on the Ardeche river in France and having some great British Canoe Union qualifications means he is the best option for teaching the finer points of Canoeing the Whanganui. A real professional who cares about his customers experience on and off the water, Aidan will always make sure you have an amazing time out there.
Greg Nettleton
Greg loves all things canoeing and is very excited to be joining the Canoe Safaris team. He has guided whitewater canoe trips in Canada for a number of years, and this will be his first year guiding with Canoe Safaris. Greg also loves cooking, photography, and skipping rocks.
Phil Collins
Yes that's his name! Phil started working here in 2013 after three years guiding in Canada and many more before that in Australia. He loves it so much that along with his partner Kirsty he has bought the company. You will see Phil guiding early and late season trips, driving the buses around and helping to organise and plan trips. If you stop by for a chat or to check in for a trip, Phil (and Kirsty) will make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable and fantastic experience on the Whanganui or Rangitikei rivers.
Bruce & George
Bruce & George are the wonderful brothers that roam the canoe safaris base from day to day. Their hobbies include sniffing, licking and sneaking off with other peoples food. They are both great at welcoming all new guests to the property and distracting them from what actually needs to be done. At only 4 years & 2 years old respectively, standing at 12 inches high they are still learning their swimming techniques and will be great team members once their skills and training match their enthusiasm.
Sam Hodson
Sam has been working in all things water sports related from the age of 14-Instructing sailing on the west coast of Scotland, funyakking and canyoning in the Scottish Highlands and Guiding on raft expeditions in Nepal. On top of this, he likes climbing mountains, climbing, tramping and really all things outdoors.
He has a passion for sharing these unique environments with people such as yourselves.
Matt Phillips
Matt is from the south west of the UK and has been working in the outdoor world for the last 14 years. He has spent several seasons guiding river adventures in the Panamanian jungle, and has spent time exploring unmapped areas of the jungle too. He has worked guiding down the white water rivers of Sri Lankan rainforests and the kayaked through caves in the wild Irish sea. He has just paddled the Amazon river on a paddleboard!
......Now for the blurb Matt Really wanted to post.....
Matt is a living legend of a man and hands down our best looking guide. It is said he once taught the Messiah how to walk on water, and Legend has it he planted the seed in the mind of the gods to create the golden city of Eldorado. He has joined the canoe squad in 2023 to help bring paddling joy to the brave adventurers who take on the trips. If you are lucky enough to have Matt as your guide we should warn you about his amazing sense of humour and ability to talk constantly!!
Gregor Mackintosh
Gregor has been working around the world in the outdoor industry for 5 years now. UAE, Hong Kong and now New Zealand. Hailing from Bonnie Scotland, he loves everything, from scaling mountains to paddling rivers, through rain hail or shine. Gregor's infectious adventurous spirit will keep you smiling for your whole River trip.
Elliot Crinson
Driven by a love for adventure and a strong focus on safety, Elliott brings extensive experience as an outdoor adventure guide, having led groups across the breathtaking landscapes of the UK, UAE, and New Zealand. Based in London, Elliott holds several guiding and safety qualifications, ensuring that every adventure is not only exhilarating but also secure. With a passion for history and nature he is committed to creating a memorable and enjoyable trip.