MEET OUR GUIDES

Don’t let my size fool you… I’m big and nimble. My rafting career started in 2019, and don’t worry I’ve only gotten worse over the years! While not rafting you can find me finishing a Bachelor of Business degree (skipping class) and diligently working towards my future (probably napping or eating). Any who, bring me a gallon of Milo’s sweet tea and I’ll give you the best ride down the river imaginable! 

Howdy! I was born and raised just over the hill west of Ocoee, and just graduated from UTK. When I’m not rafting, you can find me kayaking, chilling in my hammock, or lost in the woods. Ask for me to take you down the river, or wave at me in my kayak!

“A local who still mourns the loss of Dale Earnhardt daily. You can count on Ezra to facilitate a one of a kind experience with the rafting trip of a lifetime because, every time he gets on the water, he’s “doin’ it for Dale.”

Science teacher by day, BA raft guide by night. A fun loving guy from Georgia. I have learned to have a ton of patience from spending days with ravid teenagers in a confined space. I believe in having as much fun as safely possible in every trip. If you are interested in learning about the animals, rocks, and history of the Ocoee while you are having the time of your life, then I am your guide!

Jordan is a Sixth-year guide from Northwest Indiana, living in Chattanooga, TN. When they are not taking guests down the Ocoee (arguably their favorite activity), they enjoy hiking and camping with their dog, Sadie, and volunteering with the local community.  They have backpacked 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail and traveled to 8 different countries. 

Danny Nennstiel married 28 years (Debbie) with two adult children(Carson 24, Gatlin 22).  Former school teacher, athletic director and coach at Aucilla Christian Academy in Monticello, Florida.  Moved to Ocoee Tennessee in 2020.  Debbie employed at Blood Assurance in Chattanooga, TN (Quality Assurance Director).

Other interests:

Member and board of directors @ C3 Church Chattanooga, Classic cars, riding motorcycles, fishing and just starting kayaking and rock climbing.

Favorite pet- German Shepard- Anika

Future goals- finishing a cabin in NC mountains.

Hey y’all!! My names Ryan and I grew up in Cleveland, just down the road. As a kid my dad (who is also a guide here at Cherokee) would take me and my brother down the river. Ever since then I’ve fell in love with the people and the culture here. I plan to keep chasing the river as long as I can and hope to see some of y’all at Cherokee in the future. Ok I’ve said too much.  LETS GO GET ON THE WATER!!

Ryan first started guiding at Cherokee in 2014. Growing up in Chattanooga and with family roots in Ocoee as far back as 1800, he spent many childhood years running around barefoot in many of the creeks that flow into the Ocoee. Between rafting seasons, he graduated from UTC and worked as a Paratrooper for several years in Alaska (where he found plenty of opportunities for rafting and kayaking). He has plans to work as a Physical Therapist in the future. He enjoys long, romantic walks on the banks of the Ocoee, showing people down the river, and collecting Pit Viper Sunglasses. Whether it is your first rafting trip or one of many, you will leave soaking wet and smiling from ear to ear with Ryan as your guide!

"Ooh pick me pick me! I like rafting! Junior at UTK, decent raft guide, great comedian"