Gordon Black
Gordon Black is Cahaba River Society’s River Guide. He served as Education Director, leading the Shane Hulsey CLEAN Program of river field trips for youth, for over 15 years connecting over 25,000 youth and teachers with the Cahaba River for hands-on, feet-wet environmental education. Upon his retirement from full-time work in February 2022, he transitioned to part-time work as a consultant for the Cahaba River Society’s Education, Recreation, and Stewardship Programs and supporting Cahaba River Society’s river trips.
Gordon has a national reputation as a teacher and respected practitioner of paddle-sports. He teaches and certifies instructors in canoeing, kayaking and swift-water rescue, with 48 years of experience in canoes. He worked for 16 years as an instructor, guide, and Head of Instruction (7 years) at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, was the American Canoe Association’s national Director of Safety Education and Instruction, and has conducted boating safety trainings in partnership with the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and numerous other national programs.
