What Makes Us Different?

We’re a small, family-run company, and we see guests as new friends to go on the river with! We are rafting safety experts. Our founder, Gina Goldie is the President of the Alberta Rafting Association (PROAOA) and the Executive Director of the BC Rafting Association (BCROA). Our other owner, Johannes Zwart, is not just a class 5 Trip Leader; he’s also a Raft Guide Examiner in Alberta and BC, certifying guides since 2005. He’s taught Swiftwater Rescue since 2001. In the rafting industry, he’s a bit of a legend (but, shhhh… don’t tell him it says that on the website!)

White water rafting is more than a job for us; it’s our passion, our profession and way of life. And what we love most is to share that with other people.

How It All Began

Wild Blue Yonder started with a young woman who missed the mountains, the forests, and the feeling of being connected to nature. Gina grew up in small, remote towns in the Yukon and Northern Alberta; after a few years of city life, she decided to find a way back to the wilderness. Fast forward two years and add a talented head guide, Johannes Zwart, and it began: 1 freshly painted old bus, 2 rafts, 18 wetsuits, helmets and PFDs… and a dream to share our love of wilderness with people and keep them safe while doing so. 27 years later, we’re one of the most reputable companies in Western Canada with locations in BC and Alberta. We’ve safely conducted thousands of guests down many rivers.

Even though we’ve grown big in some ways, we’re still a small, family-run business. Our kids still work with us and the rafting facilities are attached to our homes. It really does feel like you’re over for a visit. Guests comment all the time on how welcome they feel. To us, you’re a new friend we’ve just met.

Our River Family

Over the years, our guides started to refer to themselves as the River Family. Many have become just like family, with several marriages resulting from meeting at Wild Blue Yonder! When you come down the river with us and we say you’re part of the family now, that’s genuine.

Special Things We’ve Done

When you live so much of your life on the river, regular life is a bit tame by comparison. We’ve had so many unbelievable, unforgettable, amazing moments. That first summer in 1998, we lived in a campground – in tents! We pumped water to wash the wetsuits and cooked guests’ meals over a fire. Our kids would haul wood for the fire in their wagon. Now, there are facilities with change rooms, a few buses, lots of rafts and enough gear for about 150 people to go rafting. The stories of how we got from there to here are legendary.