Conrad Niven

FLOATS WITH OUR



OVER 10 SEASONS OF EXPERIENCE

BOAT TYPE: RAFT

BOATING STYLE: R1 / R2 / TEAMS

First time rafting was Blackwater rafting in NZ at age 8. Highly recommended!

Started guiding with Echo Canyon in Canon Co in 2015 and continued with Blazing Adv in Aspen CO from 2017 till present. Got into it as a fun summer job and it has turned into my whole life!

Rafting professionally, Captaining the USA raft racing teams and doing product testing for SOTAR and other brands between guiding full time in Co and WV.

FAVORITE RIVERS / RAPIDS

Zambezi No. 7 and 5
Futalafu, Himalayas and Mass o Menos
Old Green, Gorilla
Truss, Gore Rapid Gore Canyon.
Pillow Gauley

Because they are the best whitewater on the planet!!!

MOST EPIC SWIMS

Swimming a strainer in bailey, CO at flood stage. Swimming Gorilla, Swimming Zam 12 b.

If you can think of a section, I/ve probably swam it trying something outlandish.

ACHEIVEMENTS

I have traveled to 5 continents to raft!

Competed in two World Rafting Championships so far and hold around 5 first decents.

GOALS

Stikine, Black Canyon Gunnison, Alsek, Upper Cherry, Dinky, Rio Claro, Royal Gorge Cali, Upper Kings, Toxaway, Whitewater, Horse pasture

REVIEWS

For R1 and R2 big missions the Excalibur and the new 12 ft Ballista. For racing a 12' 6" SL or the Ballista. Sotar was also kind enough to make us a 15ft R6 boat (same merlin construction) for Gauley race and Fibark Marathon.

They are the highest preforming boats on the market with the ability to tweak your design for your specific use case. Closest thing you can get to paddling a kayak! and you don't even have to come out to your parents

Conrad Niven EXPLORES WITH SOTAR

You have got to check out their epic adventures!

FOLLOW ON EVERYTHING

CONNECT WITH Conrad Niven

www.RiffRaftRacing.com

conradtniven@gmail.com

MORE ABOUT Conrad Niven

ON THE OFF SEASON

In the winter I have competed on the Freeride world tour and am a snowboard instructor and examiner at Aspen


ATHLETES

ALEX STORGION

Tennessee, United States

ALEX TIPPETT

California, United States

ANNALEE DECKER

West Virginia, United States

CONRAD NIVEN

Colorado, United States

KENNY BEAUCHAMP

Colorado, United States

NATHAN STAYROOK HOBBS

California, United States

RYAN HUCK

Colorado, United States

SAM ELWELL

Washington, United States

TIM BRINK

Oregon, United States

TEAMS

OREGON RAFTING TEAM

The Oregon Rafting Team is a nonprofit whitewater racing team from the Pacific Northwest, built around elite paddling, river stewardship, and a hard-charging love for Class III–V whitewater. Founded by competitive athletes and river runners, ORT has grown into a 15-time West Coast Champion and 2024 National Champion team that promotes rafting through racing, conservation, youth and veteran river trips, and community service.

RED LADIES RAFT RACING TEAM

The USA Women’s Raft Racing Team – Open, also known as the Red Ladies, is a competitive women’s whitewater raft racing team representing the United States in national and international raft racing. Built around teamwork, river skill, strength, and trust, the team brings together experienced paddlers who train and race across demanding whitewater disciplines while helping grow visibility for women in competitive rafting.

REDWOOD RAFTERS


The Redwood Rafters are a Humboldt County youth whitewater rafting team based in Northern California. The team gives young paddlers a place to build river skills, teamwork, confidence, and respect for wild rivers while competing in raft racing events across disciplines like sprint, downriver, head-to-head, and slalom. Built around community support, volunteer coaching, and a love of getting kids on the water, the Redwood Rafters help grow youth and amateur raft racing on the North Coast.

RIFF RAFT RACING

Riff Raft Racing is a Western Colorado raft racing team made up of elite men’s and women’s paddlers who compete nationally and internationally while promoting the sport of raft racing. Their mission also includes protecting the rivers they train, race, and play on for future generations of paddlers.

STEEP CREEK PRODUCTIONS

Steep Creek Productions is a film production company that specializes in documenting high-stakes expedition footage. Their work is centered on bringing the "stories behind the rapids" to life, focusing on the personal narratives and human experiences that occur during intense outdoor adventures.