Minnesota Whitewater Rafting was founded in 2015, and has been providing quality professional guided whitewater rafting tours to the public ever since.

With over 75+ years combined experience on the water & over 75+ combined years of Outdoor Emergency Care experience, we want YOU to have a safe trip every time. We offer a truly “Superior Whitewater Experience.” Located on the St. Louis River in Scanlon, Minnesota, just 15 miles south of Duluth.

Blu grew up in Carlton Minnesota where he has played on the St. Louis river beginning as a young child. Blu also did a lot of fishing on the North Shore until he started his kayaking career. Blu started his whitewater rafting career at the age of 16 working for Superior Whitewater Rafting for seven seasons as a trip leader and guide instructor. The next five years Blu was a co-owner/operator of a whitewater canoe and kayak store. All this while also being an instructor for the UMD outdoor program.

Blu obtained his tandem and solo whitewater canoe instructor certifications from the America Canoe Association and he has assisted in numerous river rescue classes. He has also been involved with teaching teams in Eco Challenge races, river rescue, and paddling skills. Blu has even guided a blind paddler who did the steering down the river. Blu has assisted the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office with search and recovery operations on the lower St. Louis river. He has also held trainings for the volunteer fire departments in the area on river self rescue.

Blu worked for Jay Cooke State Park as a night security officer for ten years. Most recently he completed his education/training as an electrical power technician and is now currently employed with Minnesota Power.

In the off season Blu has enjoyed ski patrolling for the last twenty years with a few years of ski instructor added in for flavor. Blu also works with the Duluth courage center adapted ski program as a instructor. Blu and his family of six enjoy many outdoor activities year round. They are all very active in many of the numerous outdoors activities we are blessed to have in our region.

Colin grew up in the Duluth area. As a boy, he was in the Boy Scouts of America where his love of water found roots. He eventually became a counselor with Many Point Boy Scout Camp in Western Minnesota. There he taught many skills including canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sailing, first aid, and CPR. As he grew up he began working with children and adults with disabilities. He also specialized in instructing many levels of CPR, First Aid, and emergency medicine. After 20 years of working in health care, it was time to put his skills to use in the outdoors.  He is in charge of staff management, training, and equipment maintenance, as well as being a full-time guide.

He also spends time working with the community being the performer liaison leads of the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo with his wife of 20 years Erin. He is also a member of the Carlton Chamber of Commerce.

Erin grew up moving with her parents to various Air Force bases around the country and overseas. Her family settled in the Duluth area. She joined the 148th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard specializing in F-16 jet engine mechanic/engine management. This is where her friendship and mentorship started with Stephine LaFleur. After departing the Air Guard, she went to school to become a medical assistant. She used that education at St. Luke's Clinics with specialties in Orthopedics, Pulmonology, and Infectious Disease. She is the president, bookkeeper, and scheduler, and runs the front office. She is on the other end of the phone if you need assistance.

She also enjoys the outdoors while camping, hiking, and kayaking. She spends as much time on the water as she can. When looking for houses she joked that if we get property on a lake Colin better have an air horn to remind me to bring my kayak back to shore! She has been married to Colin for 20 years. and spends time working with the community, acting as a performer liaison lead for the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo with her husband.

Noah was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia and made his way North to join us in 2015 explicitly to become one with the river. He has assumed many of the responsibilities of day-to-day operations and has spent more time on the river guiding rafts and learning the river in a kayak than most of our team.

Noah is learning to love our Northern culture and way of life and looks forward to many more trips guiding and entertaining our guests on their adventures. In the off season he can be found learning snow-sports, serving libations, or working at our indoor recreation business.