Meet Zach

Zach Collier is an avid river runner who spends as much time as possible on the water, whether kayaking, SUP surfing, or navigating rapids in his cataraft. Based in Hood River, Oregon, Zach has built a life around whitewater adventure, technical rowing, and sharing rivers with others.

As owner and operator of Northwest Rafting Company, Zach leads trips throughout Oregon and Washington while also guiding international expeditions to destinations including Chile, Siberia, and Bhutan. During spring racing season, he competes in the Western Whitewater Championship Series and consistently performs at events like the Upper Wind River Festival and Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival.

Every year, Sawyer supports Northwest Rafting Company’s Whitewater Rowing Schools, where Zach and his professionally trained guide team teach students how to confidently row catarafts and oar rigs. Zach’s favorite setup pairs the MXS-G Oar Shaft with a DyneLite XD Blade for lightweight responsiveness, durability, and dependable power in demanding whitewater conditions.