Nina S. Martynn

About me

I grew up playing and romping around in the forests and meadows of the Eastern Sierra in CA but only discovered rafting later in my 20s. I studied Community Development at UC Davis. When not rafting I work as a field guide for a wilderness therapy company and am a freelance videography. As per our introductions with new guests on the river- “If I was a kitchen appliance I’d be a blender - cause I like to keep life mixed, colorful, and always changing.”

The Best Part of My Job

Getting to meet such a variable group of people from all over the country, with different backgrounds, jobs, life experiences, etc., that come on our trips. It’s really a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world through other peoples eyes and a beautiful experience to get to connect with others while rowing down the magical Idaho waters. Also, sleeping under the stars and rowing big water is pretty great too.

How I found OARS

After I finished my Bachelor’s degree and worked a 9-5 in communications for a few years, I was ready to mix it up and did an outdoor recreation leadership semester certificate program at a community college. I loved it so much, I decided to quit my office-based job and hit the river!

My Lucky Charm

I’m a big fan of wearing glitter and earrings on the river - like they say “ look good, feel good, do good”.

I Can’t Live Without

A memory foam pillow. My fleece paco cover. And of course a costume or two out there.

My Fun Fact

During my first summer raft guiding. I once left my PFD at our lunch spot on the Main Salmon River and only realized it when we stopped at some hot springs a mile down stream ( how I managed to get on my boat without noticing is beyond me; a truly absurd rookie move). But, I managed to take an inflatable kayak, paddle across the river upstream, scramble over rocks and the steep river bank, walk across streams and back to the beach where I left the PFD, and then got a ride back down the river with a person in a whitewater canoe that happened to be going by. I did all of this and still managed to make it back in time before my trip was leaving the hot springs.