As we officially roll into summer, our staff has filled in and is swelling with camaraderie, fun-filled river days, and lasting friendships. The thing that truly makes Wet Planet special isn’t just the incredible rivers that we get to enjoy, but the people who make it all possible. These are the people who make our guests have an incredible experience from the trip planning, to getting checked in, through the spectacular moments on the river. We want you to get to know them the way we do. Please take a moment to read about the incredible people joining us for the 2025 season.
Base & Support Staff
Tess Bennet – Reservation Specialist
Tess grew up just outside of Philadelphia, spending her summers camping with her family in the Pocono Mountains. It was during those early adventures that her love for the outdoors first began to take shape.
Her professional path started in Juvenile Probation and Parole, Alternative High Schools, Family Services, and Residential Treatment Centers. In 2017, Tess relocated to Utah to take on a role in Primitive Nomadic Wilderness Family Therapy. Over time, she wore many hats — from field guide and senior guide to adventure guide, logistics specialist, and eventually logistics coordinator. Through it all, Tess discovered a love for what she affectionately calls “the magic behind the scenes” — the organized chaos of keeping things running smoothly while being part of teams that prioritized both client care and personal growth.
While living in Utah, Tess made the most of every chance to travel and explore, working toward her goal of visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks — with 42 checked off so far. In 2024, she headed to the Pacific Northwest to work as the Logistics Manager for Outward Bound in the North Cascades. When the season wrapped up, Tess realized she wasn’t ready to leave Washington behind and soon made the move to Husum in search of her next adventure.
Outside of work, Tess dives into a wide variety of creative and outdoor pursuits. She’s an avid rock climber and enjoys leather crafting, woodworking, resin jewelry making, furniture restoration, and baking sourdough bread. She also spends plenty of time training her dog, Ranger, for Trick Dog and Agility competitions — keeping them both on their toes.
Tess is excited to join the Wet Planet team as a Reservations Specialist and looks forward to plenty of river time on the beautiful White Salmon.
Benji Chang – Whitewater Photographer
Benji’s story starts in the rugged mountains of Colorado, where his love for the outdoors first took root. From an early age, he was hooked on exploring wild places — always with a backpack strapped on and a camera in hand. His passion for photography grew out of those adventures, driven by a desire to capture not just beautiful landscapes, but the untold stories of the people and places he encountered along the way.
True to his adventurous spirit, Benji lives full-time on the road in his trusty (and affectionately named) camper van, Ol’ Burce. In 2021, his travels brought him to the Pacific Northwest — a place that immediately felt like home. Surrounded by lush forests, winding rivers, and misty mountain views, Benji found his groove. Whether he’s casting a line in a quiet stream, hunting for rare igneous rocks, or just soaking in the beauty of the Gorge, the PNW’s peaceful vibe fits him perfectly.
What really sets Benji apart is his easygoing nature and genuine curiosity about people. He’s the kind of person who strikes up conversations with strangers, swaps stories, shares a laugh, and makes everyone around him feel seen and appreciated.
These days, you’ll find Benji behind the lens at Wet Planet, capturing the wild splashes, huge smiles, and unforgettable moments from the river. A free spirit with a heart full of adventure and a camera full of stories, Benji’s always looking to spread a little joy — one photo (and one connection) at a time.
Jon Knoff – Whitewater Photography
Born and raised in North Florida, Jon has spent the past decade living life on the move. His nomadic adventures have taken him across most of the United States and Southeast Asia — but no matter where he roams, the Pacific Northwest always feels like home.
Jon’s love for the outdoors started early, thanks to Boy Scouts and wilderness survival camps. Those formative experiences sparked a lifelong passion for adventure and the skills to thrive in the wild. Somewhere along the way, he picked up a camera, started documenting his travels, and never looked back. That creative spark has led to all kinds of fun and unusual jobs — and plenty of stories along the way.
When he’s not behind the lens snapping river action shots at Wet Planet, Jon is usually out chasing waterfalls, hiking, camping, skateboarding, cooking something delicious, or catching live music. You might also spot him practicing circus arts or diving into just about any adventure that comes his way.
At Wet Planet, Jon gets to combine his love for photography, nature, and working with people — capturing the excitement, joy, and occasional splash from every river trip. Keep an eye out, and you might just spot him on the banks of the White Salmon, camera in hand!
Jackson Rolando – Base Operations
Also known as the “personality hire,” Jack is a charismatic computer nerd from Virginia whose post-college cross-country road trip in search of self-discovery led him straight to the glory of the Gorge. His love for the outdoors started young, thanks to his dad — Jack’s been backpacking since he was 10 and still rocks the same pack today.
When he’s not pulling espresso, shuttling guests, or snapping rafting photos, you’ll probably find Jack scaling a cliff, jumping into freezing cold water, or camping as far from cell service as possible. While he’s often one of the friendly faces helping guests at base, Jack is also the unsung hero behind the scenes — keeping the whole operation running smoothly. From wrangling shuttle logistics to providing crucial tech support (for both humans and computers), Jack is the glue that keeps things clicking.
Matt Spring – Base Operations
Matt grew up in the small beach town of Newport, Rhode Island, but traded the ocean for the mountains after high school when he moved to Boulder, Colorado. It was there that his passion for the outdoor industry really took off. While earning a degree in Environmental Studies (with a side of geography), Matt worked all kinds of odd jobs before finding his groove in the ski world — and he never looked back.
The ski industry has taken Matt on adventures all over the world, from Colorado and Utah to California, New Zealand, and now Oregon. Most recently, he worked as a lift operator at Mt. Hood Meadows for the 2024–25 season and decided he wasn’t ready to leave the Gorge behind. His love for the outdoors led him straight to Wet Planet, curious to see what life in the whitewater world is all about.
When he’s not whipping up lattes at base or snapping photos of rafters mid-splash, Matt is usually out hiking, swimming, hanging with friends, or exploring new places. While rafting is a new chapter for him, his enthusiasm for learning, adventure, and being outside makes him a perfect fit for the Wet Planet crew.
River Staff
Bobby Bloxom – River Guide
Bobby’s love for the outdoors started way back in his childhood stomping grounds of Shreveport, Louisiana. But it wasn’t until after college, when he traded the bayous for the mountains of Colorado, that he truly caught the river bug. One whitewater trip was all it took — Bobby was hooked. From that moment on, life revolved around paddles, rapids, and the pursuit of the perfect line.
After graduating from guide school in 2014, Bobby dove headfirst into the world of professional rafting. He launched his guiding career on Colorado’s Cache la Poudre River, then chased whitewater north to the South Fork of the Payette in Idaho. Most recently, he’s spent back-to-back seasons navigating the wild and scenic Rio Grande and Rio Chama in New Mexico. Over the years, Bobby has built a reputation as a versatile, skilled, and downright stoked guide with a deep respect for the rivers he runs.
In 2025, Bobby brought his talents to the Pacific Northwest and joined the Wet Planet team. Whether he’s charging through a big rapid or swapping river stories on the beach, Bobby’s energy is contagious. He’s passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for guests — keeping things fun, positive, and adventurous every step of the way.
When he’s not scouting rapids, you’ll find Bobby traveling, chasing live music, or heading out on multi-day rafting adventures with friends. In the winter, he swaps paddles for throttle as a snowmobile guide in Northern New Mexico. He also holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, because being prepared is just part of the job.
If you want to join Bobby on the river, you can find him guiding on Wet Planet’s Half-Day White Salmon River trips and Full-Day White Salmon River trips.
Lauren Chapple – Kayak Instructor & River Guide
Born and raised in Colorado, Lauren grew up immersed in mountains, sunshine, and a steady stream of outdoor adventures. Skiing, camping, and exploring sparked a love for wild places early on, but it was during college in Durango that she discovered her passion for rivers — setting the course for a life on the water. These days, her home base is the rugged San Juan Mountains, where she splits her time between skiing, biking, and kayaking. When not in the San Juans, she’s chasing rivers across the West — from the Grand Canyon to the Lochsa.
Lauren has been guiding since 2018, running everything from Colorado’s tight, technical creeks to the legendary whitewater of the Grand Canyon. In 2021, she became an ACA-certified kayak instructor, teaching on rivers like the Animas, Gunnison, and Klamath. With a degree in Education, she’s just as at home teaching in a river eddy as she is in a snowy backcountry hut.
Lauren joined Wet Planet in 2025, bringing her passion for instruction, adventure, and river life to both kayak instruction and raft guiding. Whether she’s leading guests through the rapids of the White Salmon or coaching paddlers through their first combat roll, Lauren is all about building confidence, sharpening skills, and sharing the contagious stoke that only a day on the river can provide.
You can join Lauren on the river in either a raft of a kayak. She guides rafts on Wet Planet’s Half-Day White Salmon rafting trips and Full-Day White Salmon Rafting trips, and teaches kayaking on all of our whitewater kayaking courses.
Bryce Hardin – River Guide
Bryce’s whitewater journey began in Durango, Colorado, on a crisp May evening when his roommate casually tossed him a PFD and said, “Get in the boat, we’re going rafting.” Captivated by the wild, chocolate-colored flows of the Animas River, Bryce was instantly hooked. The thrill, beauty, and unpredictability of the river pulled him in — and never let go. Armed with a degree in Environmental Biology, he set out to explore wild places and share his passion for rivers with others.
After graduating in 2020, Bryce cut his teeth on Colorado’s classic whitewater before heading north to Alaska in search of bigger adventures. There, he embraced the cold, gray glacial runoff of the Nenana River, learning to navigate its dynamic, technical waters against the backdrop of Alaska’s rugged wilderness. His time in the Last Frontier deepened his connection to rivers and sharpened his skills as a guide — blending precision on the water with an appreciation for the landscapes he moves through.
In 2025, Bryce brought his experience, energy, and love for whitewater to the Wet Planet team. Whether he’s threading a line through a technical rapid or sharing stories about the ecosystems around him, Bryce is passionate about crafting memorable river experiences. His approach to guiding is all about balancing adventure, fun, and a meaningful connection to the natural world.
When he’s not guiding rafts, you’ll find Bryce working as a ski patroller in the Pacific Northwest, continuing to build his rescue skills and spend as much time outdoors as possible. Whether on snow or whitewater, Bryce is always chasing adventure — and excited to share it with anyone ready to hop in the boat.
You can join Bryce on the river in a raft on Wet Planet’s Half-Day White Salmon River trips and Full-Day White Salmon River trips.
Derek Steffens – Kayak Instructor & River Guide
Derek grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, spending his childhood mountain biking, playing in the dirt, and road-tripping to wild places with his family. He jumped into the outdoor industry as soon as he could and never looked back. His guiding career began on Colorado’s Cache la Poudre River, then took him south to Costa Rica, where he ran the Pacuare, Pejibaye, Naranjo, and Savegre Rivers. A winter spent sailing halfway around the world — including through the Panama Canal — only deepened his passion for travel and exploration.
A friend eventually talked him into swapping paddles for ropes, leading him into the world of canyoning. Exploring remote slot canyons, including some first descents in New Zealand, quickly became a new obsession.
When the tourism world hit pause during COVID, Derek pivoted to new adventures stateside — guiding dog sled tours in Colorado, leading snowmobile trips in New Mexico, and working as a ski patroller. Between gigs, he built houses and even spent time in space tourism, coaching zero-gravity flights across the U.S. Now based in White Salmon, he’s stoked to have so many of his favorite pursuits right out his front door. Off the water, he also works as an EMT for remote private events in Oregon and Washington.
Derek brings 13 years of global experience as a raft guide, kayaker, canyoning guide, and instructor. His pursuit of wild, remote places has taken him from multi-day expeditions in Madagascar to first canyon descents in New Zealand. Some of his most memorable river days include the Zambezi in Africa, Chirripó Atlántico in Costa Rica, Gore Canyon in Colorado, and the Big South Fork of the Cache la Poudre. Now, he’s diving into the Pacific Northwest’s legendary whitewater and looking forward to sharing it with the Wet Planet community.
Derek works as a raft guide on our White Salmon River rafting trips, a kayak instructor helping students learn to kayak on our Beginner River Kayaking courses and as a rescue instructor teaching Swiftwater Rescue courses.
Ella Sudduth – Kayak Instructor & Base Operations
Hailing from New Hampshire, Ella grew up chasing adventure across mountains, rivers, and coastlines. Winters were spent skiing in the White Mountains and Colorado Rockies; summers meant backpacking in Maine and surfing the New Hampshire seacoast. With a camera always in hand, Ella documented every adventure, crafting short films that captured the spirit of the outdoors. After high school, they headed west to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they skied, biked, and got their first taste of seasonal work in the outdoor industry.
Back in the Northeast, Ella discovered whitewater kayaking at the University of Vermont — and was immediately hooked. Now serving as President of the UVM Kayak Club, they coordinate trips, lead programs, and help new paddlers fall in love with the sport. An ACA-certified instructor and Wilderness First Responder, Ella began guiding on Colorado’s Arkansas River, building a foundation in paddle rafting before shifting focus to kayak instruction. Off the clock, you’ll find them paddling the Dryway on the Deerfield River or hunting for steep creeks in Vermont and New York.
At Wet Planet, Ella combines their passion for outdoor adventure, education, and environmental stewardship. With a background in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, they’re stoked to be part of a team that values sustainability, inclusivity, and meaningful experiences on the water. Whether leading a group through their first rapids or capturing the magic behind the lens, Ella is always ready to share the energy of the river.
Conclusion
We find ourselves incredibly fortunate to be able to work on and near the rivers we are so connected to. We are beyond excited to welcome new friends and new professionals into the Wet Planet community. We couldn’t create the incredible experiences for our guests without these amazing people. We are so happy to get to know them better, and we hope you get a chance to get to know them as well on a river trip or kayak course with us.
