JIMBO KIBLER, OCOEE INN RAFTING

How long have you been a raft guide? 35 years.

What led you to become a raft guide? A summer job in college.

Tell us about the training process. Training consisted of one trip [learning] the angles and how to steer to get where you want to go. The rest of the trips, I was in the back of the boat learning from trial and error – and there were definitely some errors. Back then, it was way more difficult. There was no such thing as a self-bailing boat; the water came in and stayed until you got it out. My training ended abruptly when Mike, my trainer, walked in and said, “You’re up. We are packed today; just follow me.” That first trip went well, and I was a guide from there on.

What do you love about whitewater rafting? I love meeting people from all over the world and sharing a fun experience with them. Some of my closest friends and relationships have come from a rafting trip. My son wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for rafting.

What’s special about rafting the Ocoee? I love the Ocoee because it is a beautiful river in a beautiful part of the country. It’s a great whitewater river, but still very safe to do when compared to other rivers. Most of all, it’s fun.

What’s your favorite rapid? I would have to say Hungry Mother on the upper. If you hit it right, there isn’t a larger hit on the river.

Tell us a memorable story from the river. My third year, I was doing safety rope on the first rapid, and one of our boats lost its crew. We got everyone to the bank but one person was clinging to a rock and wouldn’t let go. When I got to him, he said, “Jimbo, what do I need to do?” in a panicked voice. I replied, “The first thing I need you to do is pull your shorts up from your knees.”

What advice would you give a first-time rafter? Listen to your guide and have fun.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I never knew 35 years ago that my Ocoee Inn Rafting family and guiding would be such a long and wonderful part of my life.