Nathan Stayrook Hobbs

FLOATS WITH OUR



FAVORITE RIVER GEAR



OVER 15 SEASONS OF EXPERIENCE

BOAT TYPE: RAFTS / CATARAFTS

BOATING STYLE: R2, TEAMS

I grew up paddling canoes and knew that I loved being on the water.

When I went off to college I was exposed to desert river running and really enjoyed the independence that rowing a gear boat offered.

At night around the campfire the stories told of the '85 highwater year and the writings of Vaughn Short captured my imagination, inspiring a spirit of adventure that would drive me for years.

FAVORITE RIVERS / RAPIDS

oh the list is long...

As an overall favorite, I would have to say the South Yuba. It has a wide variety of runs for all skill levels and as long as the flows are above 500cfs one of the sections can be paddled.

Favorite section would be 49 to Bridgeport at 2000cfs

As a singular unique run I would have to say Dinky Creek. Its very raftable but BIG and access is relatively easy.

To choose one rapid I would say the Big Drops in Cataract canyon at 72,000cfs. You might point out there are 3 Big Brops, I can assure you that at 72,000cfs its just one. (insert evil laugh here)

MOST EPIC SWIMS

Well, there's more than I want to count...

A bad one on the NF feather, virgilia at 17k. Swam into an under cut on Cherry Creek. Recirculated 6 times in a waterfall on Upper Cherry Creek.

A very bad time hanging on to the outside of a boat while it surfed a hole on Robe Canyon at HIGH water.

And the one that probably shook me the most was a no name class 2 eddy on Lobin, NF Feather, I was swirled in an eddy fence without coming up for air and came too on a beach being dragged by a friend.

All of the these swims were ones where death was a real probability and without an element of luck, I probably wouldn't have made it. This is notable because until that class 2 swim, I would have said that the skills of you and your partners were the only relevant things in surviving a swim.

ACHEIVEMENTS

The thing that defines my career in rafting is having the same R2 partner for 15+ years.

I often describe what we do as an Olympic level athletic event where the consequence of a mistake could be the death of your partner. There are few high caliber athletic partnerships that have lasted that long. Together we have R2ed runs like Dinky Creek, Upper Cherry Creek, South Merced, the Rubicon, Upper Middle Consumnes, many laps on the MF Feather, Bridge Creek, Golden Gate, SF Feather, Foredyce, often times solo boating.

GOALS

I think i would like to do some remote international rivers, not sure where they are but probably not jungles, Kyrgyzstan strikes my fancy, places like that.fantasy fallsstikine

REVIEWS

I've got 5 sotar boats. Need I say more?

Nathan Stayrook Hobbs EXPLORES WITH SOTAR

You have got to check out their epic adventures!

FOLLOW ON EVERYTHING

CONNECT WITH Nathan Stayrook Hobbs

nstayrookhobbs@gmail.com

MORE ABOUT Nathan Stayrook Hobbs

photo credits to Darin Mcquoid and Dana Stayrook Hobbs

ON THE OFF SEASON

Is there really an "off-season"? lol


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

Descents that test the limits of whitewater rafting. Films that tell the true stories. Athletes who stay true to their roots, and the river.