Ryan Copenhagen

A nationally registered Wilderness EMT, Rescue3 certified Whitewater Rescue Technician, and experienced raft guide and kayak instructor, Ryan Copenhagen is a core component of the Wet Planet team. Working for Wet Planet full time during the whitewater season, Ryan works as a Trip Leader and guide on our rafting trips and as an instructor in our whitewater kayak program. His incredibly positive attitude and calm demeanor are valued by both guests and Wet Planet staff. While most of our guests get to appreciate Ryan's skills on the river, his strong work ethic makes him invaluable behind the scenes as well. When he's not in the back of a raft or teaching kayaking, he can often be found working hard repairing rafts, taking care of shuttle vehicles, or supporting other raft trips that are out on the water.

Ryan's love for the outdoors began when he was growing up in Bozeman Montana. His passion for the water started young, at only a few months old, when he first ventured down the Snake River with his family. At the age of 5, he was first introduced to the world of whitewater on a trip down the San Juan River. This is where he had his first exerience rowing a raft (check out the photo above), and he has been hooked ever since.

When Ryan became a little older he took a backpacking course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). During this course he became inspired by those making a living working in the outdoors. Lead by this inspiration, he joined the Montana Conservation Corps and later started guiding whitewater trips. Since then, Ryan has guided in the US as far South as the Kern River in California and as far North as the Nenana River in Alaska. Drawn by the area's incredible whitewater and the comraderie of the crew of whitewater professionals at Wet Planet, he now makes Wet Planet on the White Salmon River his summertime home. We're fortunate to have him! An incredible raft guide with years of experience, Ryan is also an avid kayaker. When he's not at work, he can usually be found playing with the other Wet Planet kayakers on the area's rivers.

Check out Ryan's Kayak Instruction bio for more juicy kayaking info.

While Ryan loves his time on the river in the summer, he follows another favorite past time during the winter: skiing. During his winters, Ryan can be found working as a ski patroller at Mammoth Ski Resort, and skiing as much as possible!

Whether on the river or tearing it up on the slopes, Ryan fits right in with the Wet Planet community.

Interested in becoming part of the Wet Planet team? Check out our Employment Opportunities.