Laura Bonner is “back home” with her river family.
It’s her second year as a Wildwater guide, and the learning hasn’t stopped.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen the New River above 6 feet,” she said in her eCurrent interview. “There’s a lot of learning going on on my end. It’s been awesome seeing big water.”
Bonner, originally from Charlottesville, VA, began her guiding career with the Boy Scouts. She was introduced to the New River as a camp activity leader in Virginia, where she also enjoyed caving and whitewater canoeing.
After that, it was off to guide on the Yellowstone River in Montana for a summer. But West Virginia called her back.
“I missed it so much,” she said. “It’s beautiful. There’s a sense of community here. I know everyone I work with, and when we’re done with a trip we hang out as a family. We live together, work together and play together.”
What would surprise guests about Laura?
Well, she drives back to Charlottesville every Sunday night for a 12-hour volunteer shift at an ambulance service — she’s been an EMT for over three years. Occasionally, she’ll spend all day on the river, then all night on a rescue call.
“It can turn into a pretty long day sometimes,” she said. “But I love it. It’s my passion.”
Laura is looking forward to another great summer of whitewater rafting, and Gauley season this fall. She said she loves the Lower Gauley, but she might try to check out on the Upper Gauley as well.
“That might be a goal this year,” she said.
To find out more about what the Wildwater guides are up to, look them up on the web.
Tags: Wildwater Guides
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