Instructional Philosophy
river professionals
Paddling whitewater is so much more than running rapids, making moves, and rolling back upright. To us, being on the river is the whole package; it makes us focus, think, visualize, and communicate, as well as demands precision and equanimity in a dynamic environment. That is why paddling is so much fun! Whitewater Attainment programs reflect this whitewater philosophy. Our immersive approach to instruction focuses on technical skills and thinking skills such as planning, communication, and risk management for recreational kayakers and all river professionals.
Locations
Upper Colorado River (Colorado)
Combining beauty and quality class II-III rapids, the Upper Colorado River is our primary venue for beginner and intermediate kayak instruction.
Upper Colorado River courses are made possible directly through Whitewater Attainment and our highly qualified professional instructors.
Rio Grande River (New Mexico)
Flowing through the alluring southwest landscapes and steep-walled gorges, the Rio Grande is another exceptional instructional setting with class II-IV rapids.
Rio Grande River courses are made possible through our partnership with New Mexico River Adventures.
Arkansas River (Colorado)
With some of the most classic and scenic whitewater sections in the State of Colorado, the Arkansas River is an extraordinary venue for intermediate and advanced kayakers to continue progressing their boating skills.
Arkansas River courses are made possible through our partnership with Canyon River Instruction.
Instructors
Tommy Gram
Owner, Lead Instructor & ACA Instructor Trainer
Tommy has been teaching Kayaking, Swiftwater Rescue, and Wilderness Medicine full-time for over a decade and is passionate about showing others how to have fun and be safe outdoors. Tommy began whitewater canoeing and kayaking at a young age and has had the opportunity to gain experience in many whitewater paddling disciplines, including; Slalom, Freestyle, River Running, and Creek Boating.
These experiences led to a career in traveling and competing as a sponsored athlete. Then, Tommy settled down in Colorado and fell into the world of outdoor education. When not in his kayak, he can be found backcountry skiing in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In the winter, Tommy is the Lead Backcountry Ski Guide, AIARE Avalanche Educator, Operations Director, and Co-Owner of Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA).
Regardless of the season, Tommy is outside, teaching others how to enjoy the outdoors safely.
Certifications
American Canoe Association (ACA) ACA L4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
American Canoe Association (ACA) L5 Advanced Whitewater Kayak Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) ACA L3 Packrafting Instructor Trainer
Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) Wilderness First Responder
American Red Cross (ARC) Wilderness First Aid & CPR Instructor
American Avalanche Association (A3) Pro 1 & Pro 2 Certified
American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Avalanche Course Leader
Servsafe Safe Food Handler Certified
Michelle Murray
ACA Kayak & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
One raft trip in Colombia changed Michelle’s life. She discovered her love of whitewater during that trip and was inspired to start raft guiding. While working as a year-round raft guide for 9 years, Michelle kayaked and guided all over South America and the United States. She became an ACA instructor to share her passion for running rivers with others.
For the past 5 years, Michelle has worked protecting public lands and the people who visit them with the National Park Service and the Forest Service. When she isn’t teaching or on a river, she is currently working as a Wilderness Ranger in Bears Ears National Monument.
Certifications
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Paddle Raft Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Oar Raft Instructor
Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B)
American Red Cross First Aid & CPR
Matt Booth
ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Matt has had a passion for the water since elementary school. He started canoeing in Virginia with his parents at a young age. When the family moved to Virginia Beach, he shifted that love of water to surfing. Matt dreamt of becoming a professional surfer; fortunately, that dream didn’t materialize. Instead, he pursued his professional goals at the University of Georgia, where the famed Chattooga River called him back to whitewater. Matt began kayaking in 1998 and has traveled around the world kayaking with his friends and family.
Matt and his wife met boating in Steamboat Springs, CO, and now his two children share their love of boating. Knowing the basics of swiftwater rescue through course work and self-directed learning, Matt wanted to make his understanding of river safety official. So, he became an ACA Swift Water Rescue instructor in 2021. Tommy Gram was one of his instructor trainers. Matt aims to pass his SWR knowledge to his children and the Lyons community, which has a very strong whitewater community. Matt continues honing his SWR skills from his mentors and practicing on the water. If you see Matt out on the river, come up and say “hi.” He would love a chance to boat with you.
Certifications
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
American Red Cross First Aid & CPR
Rich Morgan
ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Rich Morgan has had a passion for all things water from a young age. Rich grew up on the Jersey shore surfing, sailing, boating, and fishing the saltwater. Upon attending West Virginia University for college, Rich first honed his whitewater skills on the backcountry creeks and on the Cheat River. His love for the whitewater, mountains, biking, and skiing eventually landed Rich at the Headwaters of the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado, where he currently lives with his wife, Liz, and their Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Otter. Rich is an ACA Certified Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor as well as a Packraft and Whitewater Skills Instructor. Rich has guided rafts on Class II, III, and IV stretches of whitewater on many rivers of the West, including the Arkansas, Colorado, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Green, Salt, and Yampa Rivers. In addition, Rich had a 20-year career in Environmental Consulting and Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence.
Certifications
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Packraft Instructor
American Red Cross First Aid & CPR