Our Staff
We can never say it enough: Our true strength lies in our staff
A hand-picked group of river professionals, we are a team of coaches, guides, leaders and community members. We share a commitment to offering you a “wow” experience when you spend time with us. We take pride in the fact that we do not rest on our reputation, but work as hard to keep your respect and trust as we did to originally earn it.
If you spend time reading through guest reviews, you will see that the number one mention throughout the reviews is our staff.
Spending time with us can be a catharsis to the reality of hectic schedules and lack of quality time in a busy world. You will find spending time with us helps change your life pace for the better and helps you develop a love for the being on the river and enjoying life.
You will always be welcome when you walk through our doors!
White Water Kayaking, Rafting, Fly Fishing, Shop, and Adventure Travel Staff
JULIET JACOBSEN KASTORFF
The Boss Lady / Head Kayak Instructor / Ecuador Guide
Co Founder of Endless River Adventures and leader in the paddling industry since 1991. Inducted into the Southern Appalachian Whitewater Hall of Fame in 2021, Juliet is recognized for her commitment to teaching whitewater kayaking, and her work with young people.
When not running the show on and off the river here in NC and in Ecuador, you will find Juliet working with Need More Outdoors – a nonprofit organization on a mission to empower young people through outdoor adventures and nature-based education in western North Carolina.
MISTY LOU
Shop Dog
Misty Lou is Juliet’s beloved Border Collie. She is an avid frisbee player and when not herding Cody back with the frisbee, she is eagerly greeting everyone who visits us at the shop.
CODY KASTORFF
Shop Dog
Cody is Ken’s beloved Border Collie — He’s an expert Frisbee hunter and you can find him running down by the river or around the shop, herding his people.
KEN KASTORFF
Company Co-Founder / Fly Fishing Guru
Ken came to the Nantahala Gorge in 1975 and has been a leader in the industry ever since. He helped develop many of the techniques used in whitewater kayak instruction, including the C-to-C roll. To honor his contributions to the sport, Ken was inducted into the Southern Appalachian Whitewater Hall of Fame in 2021.
In 1993, Ken and his partner Juliet started Endless River Adventures.
He transitioned his gifted teaching approach to fly fishing and is our head fly fishing guide. Referred to as the “Hemingway of the Nantahala,” you can most often find Ken fishing on the river, or playing frisbee with his best friend, Cody the border collie.
DEBBIE HOMICH
Guest Relations Manager
Debbie is a long time member of the Nantahala community and a huge asset to our team. She is the voice of Endless River, and juggles guest relations with accounting and general management. Her business background explains her skills running things at the shop, but we think it is her background in ballet explains her grace on the river.
As far as favorite river – there are too many to count in WNC to say one is her favorite, but as long as she is on the river – either in her canoe, or in a raft, she is happy.
CRAIG PARKS
Lead Kayak Instructor / River Guide / International Guide
Craig is a phenomenal boater and paddling guru, and has been a part of Endless River Adventures for 25+ years. Having spent years guiding on the river of the southeast, the Grand Canyon, Costa Rica and Ecuador, Craig can’t even name his favorite river, there are too many.
When not sharing his years’ of knowledge to help new instructors and guides, Craig keeps himself busy selling real estate, taking photos, and paddling for fun.
NEAL RIOS
Nantahala and Ocoee Trip Leader / Canoe Instructor
Neal has been on staff since 2020 but has been guiding for many years. His amazing attitude reflects his love for being on the river and when he’s not working you will find him in his canoe. Neal embodies the positive attitude we all share here at Endless.
Shawn Still
Top Jefe
Shawn’s personal relationship with Endless River Adventures began in 1994 when he was employed as a
Nantahala River guide. He continued on as a guest, enjoying rafting and fly fishing. He is committed to seeing Endless River Adventures continue to be the very special company that first brought him here.
When not enjoying time in western North Carolina, Shawn can be found spending time with his three daughters, running his Atlanta company, Olympic Pools, and representing the 48th district of Georgia as State Senator.
BRITT PAYNE
Ocoee & Nantahala Trip leader/ Cheoah Kayak Guide/ Head Kayak Instructor/ Ecuador Guide
Britt graduated from Western Carolina University with a major in Outdoor Recreation. She loves paddling the Chattooga River and Amicalola Creek, and has fallen in love with paddling in Ecuador. Her passion is teaching and she aspires to use her Spanish and love of teaching to mold young lives in a place like Ecuador.
When not paddling you will find her climbing big rock faces in Kentucky and Tennessee.
ROSE NOEL
Nantahala and Ocoee River Head Guide / Kayak Instructor / Media Director
One of the “Long Creek Kids,” Rose has been paddling since she was 12 years old. The ideal day in her life if waking up in the woods, kayaking with friends and ending up around a campsfire laughing a silly jokes. If not here at work, Rose can be found kayaking or making tasty food.
LANCE BUSKEY
Ocoee River Trip Leader and KG / Cheoah Kayak Guide / Kayak Instructor / Ecuador Guide
A passionate kayaker, Lance’s favorite rivers included – but are not limited to the Russell Fork Gorge, Chattooga, Wilson’s Creek, the Mighty Tuck.
When not sharing his passion for kayaking here, an ideal day for Lance is a morning yoga session, a long day on the river, and ending with fireside relaxation with good friends.
DANNY SKUHROVEC
MacGuyver / River Guide / Logistics Czar
Danny loves his big trucks and tinkering, welding, fabricating, building…. He is our go-to hero when it comes to saving the day. He is an expert river guide, loves his dogs, the Ocoee River, and says you can always find him – “Somewhere fixin’ somethin.”
RACHEL QUIGGINS
Retail Guru
When not filling our store with amazing gear, Rachel likes to get away – on the trail, the river, or far away on the slopes or with family. She has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, which is how she found her way to the Nantahala Gorge.
KOSTA KELIKIAN
Nantahala & Ocoee Guide / Kayak Instructor
Finding his way to western NC from south of Chicago / Montana. Kosta finished a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management at Western Carolina University and now works full time putting that degree to work here at Endless.
MITA COKER
Nantahala & Ocoee Guide / Kayak Instructor
NATHAN LUCAS
Nantahala, Ocoee & Cheoah Head Guide / Fly Fishing Guide
For Nathan, life is about being in and around the water. The Nolichucky is a favorite destination. Tying flies to get out and fly fish is a great way to spend a day off the river.
MADELEINE MONNAT
Guest Services Extraordinaire / Junior Instructor
Madeleine started out as a paddler in the Nantahala Kids Club, which spurred her passion for kayaking. She has gone on to build her skills training at the slalom gates and learning to love the the rivers in her backyard, with the Ocoee being her favorite. In between pre-college classes, she finds time for hiking and reading.
MARY MILLS
Nantahala River Guide, Reservations, Kids Camp Instructor
Mary’s passion for being on the river is almost as great as her generosity at sharing her passion with friends. A teacher by training, she is devoted to helping with any and all kids programs.
Her favorite rivers are the Rio Quijos in Ecuador and the Ocoee River. When she is off the river she is likely hiking her dogs Lina and Rio.
NADINE BOURG
Fly Fishing Guide
Nadine retired as an orthotist from Chattanooga,Tn and came to pursue a life style that suited her interests – most specifically, fly fishing..
When asked why, “I love fly fishing as it puts you in the moment and there are endless opportunities for learning.” Her favorite river to fish is the Nantahala, for a multitude of reasons, including that the river is beautiful and full of miracles and wonders.
When not at Endless, Nadine enjoys cooking, gardening, photography, and exploring local fishing spots with friends.
BILL DEMENT
Nantahala River Guide
Bill has been paddling for 21 years and if he’s not on the water, you can find him gardening, fishing, or doing a “wineset” from the deck.
ANDREW MONNAT
Nantahala & Ocoee Guide / Junior Instructor
Andrew grew up paddling with his two sisters, starting out with the Nantahala Kids Club. That experience turned him into an avid kayaker; so much so that when he chose a college to attend, it needed to keep him near the river. For that reason, Appalachian State in Boone, NC is now home for him.
KIRK WEIR
Nantahala Raft Guide
A long time member of the paddling community, Kirk joined us when he retired and was ready for his “Second career” as a river guide. His favorite river remains the Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica. Kirk is an avid kayaker and can often be found kayaking the Nantahala River with his wife Debbie.
ANGELA DAUPHINEE
Nantahala River Guide, Reservations and Store
Studying Outdoor Rec at SCC set up Angela to quickly master guiding on the Nanthala, followed up by getting her kayak roll and spending her off time really building her skills to have fun on the river.
ZOE PARKS
Nantahala Guide, Store & Reservations, Kids Camp Instructor
Zoe brought her love of being in a kayak on the river to the Nantahala Gorge this summer, learning to raft guide, and bringing an artistic touch to our store.
ZUZANA MONTAGNE
Kids Camps | Kayak Instructor | River Guide
Zuzana has been with us since 2017 and has been big part of kids camp programming. Her favorite river is the Arkansas River in CO, Overflow Creek, and the Tamur River in Nepal. Off the river you can find “Zuz” sharing her love of exploring nature with her young daughter, Monica, and her husband, as well as teaching English in Bryson City. Zuz’s uncle was the late Vladimir Vanha, founder of NOAh Kayaks.
BILLY PAUL
Cheoah River Guide
Bill is one of our world-class Cheoah guides. He has been guiding on the rivers of the southeast since 1998. When not on the river, Billy calls Chattanooga home, working as a “Senior Weather Coordinator” at Covenant Transportation and playing with his adorable two children.
LINC STALLINGS
Cheoah River Guide
Frequently mentioned as one of the top raft guides in the US, Linc is the ultimate river professional. He has guided on rivers all over the United States and this year is representing the US in Australia for the Rafting World Championships. Linc is one of our team leaders on Cheoah.
CHIP SANDERS
Cheoah River Guide
Chip has traveled from his hometown of Thomasville, GA, to studying physics at Davidson College, to landing in Asheville NC. Using Asheville as his base, Chip divides his time between guiding on the Chattooga River, working as a “draught doctor” at a craft beer restaurant, and guiding with us on the Cheoah River.
ANGEL NUNEZ
For 20+ years in Ecuador, Angel has been the most important member of our team. He is driver and go-to for anything that needs to be done. He is also the manager of the RioQuijos EcoLodge and keeps everything in order year-round.
KIMCHI
Kimchi is our resident dog at our eco lodge in Ecuador. When you visit the Rio Quijos Eco Lodge, Kimchi will likely be one of the first of our staff to greet you.
Philip Robinson
Philip (or Felipe) is a proud member of our Ecuadorian Team. Philip has traveled all over the world – hiking, biking , but preferably kayaking. No matter where he goes in the world, his heart is always in Ecuador. He enjoys sharing everything he loves about Ecuador with you: the culture, the exquisite food, the mountains, the jungle, or whatever you want of this beautiful country and of course the majestic rivers. We are proud to have Philip leading our team in Ecuador.
TARQUINO YANQUEZ
Ecuador Kayak & Raft Guide
One of the original river guides in Ecuador, Tarquino’s wonderful sense of humor and expertise make him a valuable member of our team. For 10+ years, he epitomized the opposite of a raft guide’s winter migration: heading to Canada to guide during the summer, and then returning to his beloved Ecuador for the winter. Now he calls Ecuador home year-round, with a beautiful wife and little boy to keep him grounded.