CANYONEERS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

LEADERSHIP @ 7 000ft Advancing a Strong Community

CANYONEERS INC 50 YEARS OF ADVENTURE

WRITING BY GAYLORD STAVELY

7195 N US HWY 89, FLAGSTAFF AZ 86004 (928) 526-0924

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSION?

A combination of exploration, discovery, and opportunity. In the summer of 1951, two other boys and I decided to drive out west and see Grand Canyon. A backcountry shortcut from Colorado to Arizona took us down through the Monument Valley country where by chance I met Joan Nevills, whose father Norman had conducted whitewater expeditions on several western rivers.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS OR HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS PROFESSION?

Canyoneers was established in 1938. Joan and I were married in 1954, and until 1971. In 1956, I took my first river trips. In 1957 I became a partner in the company, and bought it out. During a 1978 river trip I met Joy and we married a few weeks later. We operated the company until 2018 when we turned day-to--day operations over to my oldest son Cameron and his wife Laurie Lee.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR PROFESSIONAL PATH IN SOME WAY, WOULD YOU? IF NO, WHY NOT?

Definitely not. My life has been, and is being, a series of unique experiences and opportunities in one of the grandest regions of our country.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY?

The uniqueness of it. The opportunity to work in and around Grand Canyon. Being able to provide an experience that our passengers and employees alike have told us “changed their lives.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN YOUR PROFESSION?

Anyone wanting to get into it as a job or profession would need to have or acquire a lot of specific technical, paramedical and safety skills and qualifications Those are best acquired by either working for an authorized concessioner like Canyoneers, or being the child or grandchild of a company owner. Plan to work hard and love what you do.

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR PERSONAL SUCCESS?

Hard work and persistence. Our company’s first two decades were physically grueling and not very successful. Coping with the regulatory, environmental, operational, and logistical changes during the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, required a lot of 15- hour days, red eye flights, and slews of meetings. During the most recent 42 years, Joy and I have worked hands-on, shoulder-to-shoulder, to meet the company’s opportunities and challenges. We have loved every minute.

DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM THE EXTERNAL PERCEPTION OF WHAT YOU DO? IF YES, HOW SO?

I think so. It’s 24 /7 and really demanding. In addition to “reading” the river and being skilled boat handlers, commercial river pilots and guides must know CPR, ground and air communications and evacuation procedures, and be currently certified Wilderness First Responders, and Food Handlers— and sometimes psychologists.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN OR TO BALANCE OUT YOUR WORKLIFE?

Projects related to the life I chose –or that chose me. In 1970 I wrote Broken Waters Sing about our Centennial retracing of the 1869 “voyage of discovery” down the Green and Colorado Rivers. More recently I’ve written The Rapids and the Roar, a history of river running, 1825 —1970 and Taking Big Red, about political and environmental issues since 1970. I recently finished restoring one of my cataract boats that dates from 1950.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU OR REMOTIVATES YOU?

Optimism. When Cameron and Laurie Lee took over the day-today management of the company, both of them already had decades of experience in river operations and management. And about a year ago my grandson, Morgan, “came on board.”

WHY DID YOU CHOSE TO PUT DOWN ROOTS IN FLAGSTAFF?

In 1966, Cam and Scott, then ages 11 and 8, were attending grade school at the nearby uranium mill’s “company town” just south of Mexican Hat, Utah. The nearest K-12 school was fifty miles away, at Blanding. The few older kids who went there for higher grades had to board with Blanding families. We didn’t want that, and we knew Flagstaff would be a better base for our Grand Canyon river trips.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING IN THE FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY?

Through the years Joy and I sometimes talked about retiring to mountain country somewhere in the world that had moderate temperatures and a lot of sunshine. As time passed, we realized that we already live there. We both like staying close to The Canyon and what’s going on there. Joy loves hiking and biking and walking her new German Shepherd.

WHAT PART OF YOUR LIFE TODAY COULD YOU NEVER HAVE ANTICIPATED 10 YEARS AGO?

Slowing down, I suppose.

DO YOU HAVE A RULE OR MANTRA YOU STRIVE TO LIVE BY??

I‘ve always liked “The problem is the opportunity.”

WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO BE IN 10 YEARS?

A lot of the river companies are family-owned, and have recently been bringing a “next generation” into their management and operation. I’d like to

Gaylord and Joy Staveley on the river, 2006

LEAD. INSPIRE. Change.

We’re proud to support Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the work they do to foster a strong and thriving business climate now and far into the future.