Best Trip is Every Trip.
About Us
New Wave Adventures LLC is an adventure company specializing in rafting, hiking and Pack Rafting trips in Denali National Park, Alaska. New Wave sets its standard by striving for the best trip every trip. Our core values are what drives a culture that displays our commitment to excellence, while our dedication to detail allows us to create the best customer experience. We offer daily raft trips May through September in Denali National Park, as well as guided adventures around the world year-round.
The rafting industry has impacted our lives tremendously. Our team collectively has over 100 years of rafting experience with more than 50 years in Alaska. While we are a new rafting company, we are backed with years of professional expertise. Our team members have guided on several rivers in Alaska, Asia, South America, and the United States and we built our company based on all the best practices we've seen throughout.
Be assured, the customer and safety are our top priorities in any adventure with New Wave. We use only high-quality gear and outfitters that share our values. We actively promote conservation, environmental responsibility, and outdoor recreation with minimal impact. We want the opportunity for these outdoor experiences to last for generations to come.
New Wave Adventures LLC is fully licensed and insured.
Meet The CREW
Mike Peacock
C0- founder & Trip Leader
If New Wave Adventures were a human you would be looking at him. Peacock’s face and charm win the crowd over every time. He has rafted on several world-class rivers in the US and has developed a passion for teaching river safety. Every year Peacock assists in teaching the proper techniques in river rescue and outdoor survival to river guides and first responders in Alaska.
Tom “CHICAGO” Concannon
Co- founder & Trip Leader
This ball of energy has dedicated his life to getting people out on the river. Twenty years ago, Thomas left the rough streets of Chicago behind him to escape to the raw beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains; where he found his passion for whitewater. He helps Peacock run the day-to-day operations and leads the New Wave Media Team with his wife Sheila and their three kids.
Sheila “SHE-RA” Concannon
Co-founder & senior administrator
The glue that holds it all together! As a mom and a photojournalist, you will most likely see a camera and a toddler in Sheila's arms. She is involved in all aspects of the rafting business; if she’s not helping generate leads she is out on the river, either on the bank with a camera, or in a raft with guests. Sheila is a the proud parent of her three kids, 4 if you include her husband “Chicago” :)
BOBSKI
NWA Consigliere & TRIP LEADER
While rafting with Bobski, you're sure to hear many exciting stories ranging from his mountain climbing expeditions to his early years as an Eagle Scout. He is the backbone of New Wave’s values and culture. Growing up in Pueblo, CO Bobski quickly discovered his passion for the outdoors and whitewater with his first rafting trip in 1976.
Bryce “ spicy Brycy” HArdon
Head Boatmen
This strapping young man has found his place at NWA. His spot is at the front of the bus leading the trip with perfection. His natural ability to lead a team and perfect his craft is uncanny. Coming from the sprawling mountains of Colorado he feels right at home here in the last frontier.
Corbin “ Corbanion” Ryan TRip Leader
This superstar bring an amazing amount of energy to the team. His whitty humor brings great laughter to the trip. If your lucky enough to get him as your guide you will see his true strength. You will find him putting safety at the for front of the trip while still enjoying the thrills of of all the rapids the river has to offer.
Russel“Pack raft Russ” Hathaway Pack raft Instructor & Retail Manager
This Denali veteran brings an array of talents to the team. His love for the out back country propelled him into pack rafting rivers around the country. Russ leads up our pack rafting instruction division. Russ has a fine attention to detail. The man knows what he wants and just how to get it. When off the river he assumes the position as our retail manager.
BeaU “Bo” Penton Trip Leader
Beau’s tall stature paired with a southern drawl will make you feel confident and comfortable on the river. He has a knack for reassuring folks that are out of there element. No one really knows where Beau is from. Some say he was born deep in the amazon forest, some say he is from Kansas. What we do know is he has perfected the art of storytelling and has workout regiment that would put Paul Bunyon to the test.
SAmuel “Sammy boy” Meinert Trip Leader &Equipment fabrication
This fella spends his winter in Durango Co with his lovely wife Berrey. He can finese you down the river and create you a line of outdoor gear. He can sew, design and create amazing gear, clothes and accessories. These are only a few of of this mans many talents. His calm demeanor is contagious, when the river is raging this is the kind of captain you want in charge.
JUSTIN “ the naturalist” La Vigne. Lead Hiking Guide
Justin first came to Denali in 2003 as a naturalist guide and for research to complete his Master’s in Recreation. He and his wife, Patrice lived nomadically for 10+ years, but he finally convinced his wife to make Denali their permanent home in 2019. Over the years, He has worked as a municipal parks and recreation director, environmental educator, gear writer, property caretaker, and motivational speaker. He’s backpacked 7,000+ miles, thru hiked the Appalachian trail and Te Araroa in New Zealand, road-tripped across America 40+ times and been on Denali expeditions twice.
Dave “dave” Hinz. transportation SPECIALIST
The Northeast Beast was on one many college nicknames for this yankee. Legend has it that Dave once threw a football over Mount Washington, or hiked with a football, can’t remember the details. Dave has wore many hats in the rafting world receiving many ackolaids over his time. Spends his winter soaking up the sun in Arizona and his Summer in Denali. Full of great stories from his time in a Cambodian prison to a hot yoga retreat in India.
Tegan “TMAC” Concannon
Outfit inspector & reservationist
This little superstar runs the Morale Department and and is most likely your first contact with New Wave. She brings joy to the office and to the raft trip in between fielding phone calls and answering questions. You will find her helping out with all aspects of the operation from gearing up to swimming in the river (for fun that is!).
Wookie
Equipment Manager & Trip Leader
Every successful team needs a “Mr. Fix It” kind of guy. Wookie designed all of New Wave Adventures' gear from the D ring placement on the rafts to the bandages in the medical kit. He helps keep us safe when we go out on our adventures. As a senior member of the team his leadership is essential to the longevity of the company.
PAtrick “Bootleg” McCartney Trip Leader
This professional will leave you fulfilled with info and entertainment. This class act is one of a kind, appearing out of the backwoods of Arkansas. His southern drawl paired his outdoorsman appearance make him everyones number one choice. HIs love for the rugged frontier of Alaska has him living in Denali year round.
Matthew “Matty P” Parenteau Operations Manager
Matty P as he is more commonly called, has taken up the lead helping New Wave apply the Best Trip Every Trip effect. You can find him driving the bus, rafting on the river to directing the crew with clipboard in hand. His light hearted demeanor and his pursuit of excellence make him the perfect leader. “Matty P” is a true outdoorsman, his experience ranges from deep backcountry treks to river expeditions on the Yukon River.
Christine “the organizer” Nolan Reservation SPECIALIST
The office would not be the same without her. She can answer the phone, while checking in a group and filing a paperwork chronology without missing a beat. She does this with a smile and making everyone feel important at the same time. She is a year round Alaskan so she can answer most questions with prescise knowledge. There is only a few that can predict what the weather would be like on your trip to Alaska.
PATRICE “Wonder walker” La Vigne Lead Hiking Guide
When a company needs to step up their game you add her to your roster. It took nearly 20 years for Patrice’s husband Justin, to convince her to move here, but after criss-crossing America dozens of times, visiting all 50 states and living in 14 of them, she can honestly say Alaska is her favorite and loves being an authentic storyteller as a hiking guide. Writer and author by trade, but adventurer by heart, Patrice has hiked more than 7,000 miles around the world and will enable you to foster a connection to the natural world.
Debbie “Dam it” COOPER transportation master cheif
Load up on the fun bus with Debbie. The Master Cheif of our Transportation Department. A local celebrity in her hometown of Tijana Mexico where, she is more commonly known as Debbie “The Axe” Blanca. Driving is her deal she loves going from point A to point B. Her passion of driving kids to school and has spilled over into the summer months. Entertaining and driving our guests to and from the river. Don’t approach her from the side always approach from the font.
BELLA RIO
Reservationist extraordinaire
When you show up you will most likely meet this superstar. Bella Rio runs our front desk fielding 100s of calls with a smile on her face. Answering questions ranging from weather prediction to cosmic balances, ensuring you will be prepared for the best rafting trip possible.
Marty “Golden Boy” Castner Trip Leader
The “go to” guy when you need a task done rather it be on or off the river. Marty does it with a smile and to perfection. He is most definitely bad mouthing management behind the scenes but never in public. Coming out of New York he brings his east coast humor to the table. He is a well rounded team member allowing the guest to feeling comfortable and enjoy there time with him.
Kyle” “Lil Kyle” O’connel Trip Leader & Hiking Guide
This human has the energy to match the midnight sun. When your on a trip with Lil Kyle you are the center of attention. Filled to the brim with stories and knowledge. Not to worry as a perfectionist he will be sure to serenade you with it all. You can also find him leading hiking trips pointing out the littlest details of the boreal forest to the biggest rocks on the mountain. Kyle is our number one mention on trip advisor, feel free to check it out for yourself.
Sheena “Sunshine” Bryner Reservation Speaclist
Well this pro didn’t get here nickname for nothing. Constantly greeting her friends and co workers with her famous phrase “Morning sunshine!” This makes it impossible not to smile and turn a frown upside down. She is the pleasant voice on the other side of the phone and typically the person to greet you when you first show up at the New Wave office. Sheena spends here winter here in Denali and will never leave. She is a lifer
AVEN “AV” Concannon SPace Ranger
One of three offspring from Chicago and Sheila. When he gets older and becomes an official employee, he truly can say he’s been apart of this company his whole life. Born you weeks before New Wave launched itself in to the outdoor recreation business in 2020. He is usually found in the driver seat of a NWA school bus when parked of course. :) He is a fanatic of Paw Patrol and macaroni and cheese. His smile is contagious and he helps us remember what its like to be a kid agin. If you see him in the office please do not feed him. Believe me he has a way with words.
Robert “Schmurda” Chance TRIP Leader
Boy o boy, what a treat for you and your family. Never seen someone win over a crowd so easily. Mr Chance is constantly seen with a crowd of fans, security and his entourage. Started from the desert and now he’s here. He left Nevada heading North tilll he couldn’t go north anymore. “Summers in the North Winters in the South” This hardcore guide is a hardcore Dad of two hardcore girls. Hardcore!
