Joe Daly (ECHO River Trips): Lessons from the River

In this episode of Safety First with Danger Tate, Tate sits down with Joe Daly, the co-founder of the groundbreaking rafting company, Echo River Trips. Founded in 1972, Echo rapidly expanded to run trips across 19 river stretches in five U.S. states and even Yugoslavia by 1981. Joe shares the story behind the creation of Echo, providing insight into the adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive that fueled the company’s early success.

Throughout their conversation, Joe reflects on his personal journey from river guide to business owner, and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses his early decision to focus on rafting over kayaking, how his partnership with co-founder Dick Linford was formed, and the unique challenges and rewards of pioneering commercial river trips in the 1970s and 1980s. Joe also touches on the importance of community, resilience, and environmental stewardship within the river-running world.

Listeners will enjoy Joe's candid storytelling, from the practical aspects of building a river business to the philosophical lessons the river teaches. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone who appreciates a good adventure, Joe’s stories offer timeless wisdom on leadership, passion, and the unpredictable currents of life.

Main Discussion Points:

• The founding story of Echo River Trips and its early expansion
• Joe Daly’s personal journey and decision to specialize in rafting
• Key lessons learned from running a river outfitting business
• Reflections on teamwork, partnership, and community in outdoor leadership
• The enduring influence of river life on personal and professional values

Joe's Latest Project

Joe has been editing a book called Stories of a Western Wildhood, full of short stories written by his business partner, Dick Linford. The book was just published and you can find it here.