Behind every unforgettable river trip is an incredible team of volunteer river guides. More than expert boaters, our guides are educators, storytellers, advocates, and ambassadors for California's rivers. They create safe, welcoming experiences that help guests build a personal connection with the river—often inspiring a lifelong appreciation for these remarkable places.
Our volunteer guides donate their time, skills, and passion because they believe that the best way to protect rivers is to experience them. Whether they're navigating whitewater, sharing the history and ecology of a watershed, or simply creating space for adventure and community, they help transform a day on the river into a lasting connection with California's wild rivers.
We're grateful to have such an outstanding group of volunteers leading our river program. Meet a few of the incredible people who help bring our river experiences to life.
Makayla Marquez
I’m currently living in Alameda, CA and for fun I love doing anything in on or around water! I work at SF Baykeeper holding industrial polluters accountable using science, advocacy and law. Becoming a FOR guide has exposed me to the wonderful river community and has woven together my advocacy for saltwater and freshwater environments. Every time I volunteer with FOR I know I’ll be smiling the entire time because of the people, place and positive energy!
Mary Avalos
Marisol “Mary” Avalos is from Orange County, California, and recently retired from a full-time career in higher education to continue her passion for scholarly research, grow her consulting firm, and pursue her lifelong goals. She is also a registered parliamentarian, and for fun she loves to learn, read, and connect with friends and family. As a Friends of the River volunteer guide, Mary brings a spirit of service and stewardship to the water, grounded in the belief that we must come together to protect our rivers, lands, animals, and natural resources while fostering sustainable futures for generations to come. Her favorite Guide School memories are the many friends she has made through FOR.
Caroline Kettlehake
My name is Caroline and I am a recent graduate from UC Davis who loves rock climbing, slack lining and hiking! I grew up in San Diego and spent several years cleaning up my home beaches with my dad, and have always had a soft spot for aquatic ecosystems. I joined FOR as a guide so I can share my love of the outdoors with others, and hopefully inspire them to learn and care about our California rivers. The rafting community in FOR is my favorite part about volunteering, because these people are so creative, uplifting, and genuinely so much fun to be around!
Scott Webb
Scott lives in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco and works at the Resource Renewal Institute to protect California waters alongside Friends of the River. A former raft guide on the Kern River, Scott loves the chance to take advocates and decision-makers outside and off screens to connect with the outdoors. When not at the office, you can find Scott surfing, on a river, playing music (check out his band My Dog Jack), or at a Giants game.