Zach, Dick, and Joe
Northwest Rafting Company was founded in 2009 by Zachary Collier, Joe Daly, and Dick Linford – three men with a passion for the Northwest and the amazing rivers that run through it. Dick and Joe contribute the sage business perspective that they’ve achieved from owning and outfitting ECHO River Trips since 1972 while Zach brings the vigor and youth of the operation.
After 5 years of rising success, Zach was proving himself as an innovative and savvy outfitter himself, and in 2013 Dick and Joe stepped back from ownership. Their knowledge and commitment to excellence will always be a part of Northwest Rafting Company and their mentorship will continue on.
Zach Collier
Zach began his river career as a guide, and over the last 15 years has worked with 10 different outfitters on over 30 rivers in the United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Chile, Bhutan, Nepal and Siberia. In 1999, only into his second year as a guide, Zach began managing ECHO’s California operations and soon moved to manage the Idaho office. In 2007, Zach became ECHO’s General Manager, and is still doing so in conjunction with owning and operating Northwest Rafting Company. He now lives in Hood River, Oregon where he is able to get on the river all year long.
Drawing inspiration from his predecessors, Dick and Joe, Zach is an active member in the many tributaries of the rafting world. His love of Wilderness has been the impetus for the conservation efforts of Northwest Rafting Company. He is a board member of the Oregon Outfitter & Guides Association and an active member of America Outdoors, the national organization for outfitters. He is also a brand ambassador for Sawyer Paddles and an avid guest blogger for a variety of companies including Travel Oregon, Yeti Coolers, and Best Made Company.
Zach is an impressive oarsman and has won or placed in almost all of the competitions at the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival.
Dan Martin
Dan was also a former guide with ECHO River Trips and has known Zach since their humble beginnings as college river guides for UC Davis’ Outdoor Adventures. Back in the day, both Dan and Zach were part of a tight-knit crew who were eager to see new rivers and challenge themselves, constantly traveling to new rivers in the West. Dan continued guiding for ECHO for a few years after college mostly on the Rogue and the Tuolumne Rivers.
Northwest Rafting Company’s mission of conservation work is what drew Dan to taking an ownership role. He wants to share the experience of rivers by providing outstanding trips and continuing to explore and protect the areas that we cherish. In his current California community he is involved with conservation efforts of the Yuba and Truckee rivers. Dan is proud to be part of a company that has a mission much larger than just taking people down rivers.
Dan’s love of rivers is in his soul and he jumps at the chance to share river experiences with new folks. These days, apart from being an oral surgeon, Dan can be found stand-up paddle boarding (which, for him is a fancy way to say “swim rapids”) or introducing his two little rugrats to the excitement and beauty of the outdoors.