Owners Scott and Ally Buckley share their love for nature.
The personality of the Verde River springs to life through the stories, musings and history recited by Clarkdale Kayak Company owner and founder Scott Buckley on his daily river tours.
A kayak cruise down Arizona’s only free-flowing river offers a wonderland of cascading ripples and gently flowing waters that casts a spell on visitors as they ramble down the 3.5 miles from TAPCO (The Arizona Power Company) to Tuzigoot. With herons cautiously eyeing you while hunting for food and clusters of ducks wading by, cares of the world seem to float away.
“The riparian zone in Arizona makes up less than 2% of land mass but houses 75% of all our biology here on the Verde River,” said Buckley. As you cruise down the Verde River, you’ll find yourself immersed in a whole new world as you pass 900-year-old ruins of the ancient Sinagua culture, red rocks, canyons and lush desert forests. Another point of interest is the cottonwood and willow trees that line the river. “These trees can drink up to 400 gallons of water a day and can actually change the CFS (cubic feet per second), a measurement of the volume and speed of water flow of the river.”
With a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University, Buckley was born in Northern California and raised in Flagstaff. His wife, Ally, also participates in the business as Clarkdale Kayak owner and operator. She is originally from Phoenix. Their love for the outdoors, especially water sports, put them on a watery path to their own kayak company. They moved to Clarkdale in 2005 and started Clarkdale Kayak Company in 2016.
“Prior to our kayak company, we owned a restaurant,” said Ally. “Owning and running Clarkdale Kayak Company with my husband and best friend has been a dream come true. The history, beauty and the wildlife attract people from all over the world. Our kayak trips are educational and exciting.”
“I worked as a Grand Canyon River Guide for several seasons and was licensed. I now hold a Guide Level 3 through the American Canoe Association (ACA), plus CPR and First Aid certification,” said Scott.
He says Clarkdale Kayak is a “river-first” company. “Part of our mission statement is to educate people about the Verde River and its importance economically and recreationally and its sustainability. We sell safe, educational fun, plus we like people to leave with a greater appreciation of the Verde River, which makes for a grander cause.”
During the spring, Clarkdale Kayak Company sponsors an outdoor children’s program and has partnered with Grand Canyon Youth, a nonprofit organization that offers educational outdoor expeditions that connect young people to the rivers and canyons of the Southwest.
“Clarkdale Kayak has been an incredible partner,” said Flagstaff-based Grand Canyon Youth Executive Director Emma Wharton. “Scott has helped to connect hundreds of fifth graders to the wonders of the Verde River. We have collaborated for over five years. Scott provides the boats and access, and we bring the guides and the kids. He’s very supportive and loves that we bring the kids.”
Robert Brooks’ first trip down the Verde River was when he was 16. “I was pretty scared at first because I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a blast. The rapids are fun, but my favorite part is being out in nature and seeing wildlife that you don’t see every day. I now have my own kayak and over the summer go at least once a week to enjoy the river and fish.”
The Town of Clarkdale, in collaboration with Freeport McMoRan and the Arizona State Parks Board, has ensured improved access and recreational opportunities on the Verde River. “This has encouraged the community to form personal connections with this vital waterway,” said Clarkdale Parks and Recreation Director Joni Westcott. “These connections are critical in establishing a collective sense of stewardship and protection for the river, and have been successful.”
Operating under a permit from the town, Clarkdale Kayak Company strives to foster a deep connection between the community and the river. With their exhilarating and educational river trips, the company works to cultivate an appreciation for the Verde River for generations to come.
Clarkdale Kayak Company Director of Operations Aaron Weiss has extensive experience in whitewater rivers in the Canadian wilderness surrounding Hudson Bay. He also has sea kayaked in South America and has retraced the river explorations of John Wesley Powell on the Green and Colorado rivers.
“That trip took 88 days on the river,” said Weiss. “We started at Flaming Gorge in Wyoming to the top of the Grand Canyon, then to Diamond Creek to finish it off.” Weiss worked as a winemaker and brewer before joining the team at Clarkdale Kayak.
Kayaking trips are available for children ages 5 to 12, who are accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak. Clarkdale Kayak Company uses Coast Guard Approved hard-shell or inflatable kayaks that feature a sit-on-top design for comfort and stability. They offer both guided tours and self-guided tours and shuttle service to and from the river. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
To contact Clarkdale Kayak Company, visit www.clarkdalekayak.com or call 800-478-4711.
Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney: Clarkdale Kayak Company owner Scott Buckley strives to foster a deep connection between the community and the river. He and his wife, Ally, started the business in 2016.