🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 18
On The Water & In The Wild: Zac Kauffman's Journey from Hippie Roots to Sawyer Paddles & Oars
The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.
We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!
Today's Guest: Zac Kauffman
Zac Kauffman is the co-owner and CEO of Sawyer Paddles & Oars, a heritage Oregon brand crafting world-class paddles and oars right on the banks of the Rogue River. He’s also the host of the Sawyer on Water podcast, where he documents the stories and spirit of the river community that shaped him.
In this episode, we talk about Zac’s roots growing up in Takilma, Oregon — from living for a time on a commune in a circus tent to helping his family build the five-bedroom log home they still live in today. He shares how a college rafting program in Ashland sparked his lifelong connection to the river and led him into the world of paddlecraft and outdoor business.
We dive into the legacy of Sawyer, the importance of preserving river history, and the community that rises up in times of challenge — from the Phoenix-Talent fires to the everyday teamwork that defines life on the water. Zac shares a handful of memorable stories from his time on the river — the moments that shaped his love for whitewater and the people who call it home.
It’s a story of craft, current, and community — proof that sometimes the wild calls you home in the most unexpected way.
Get in touch with Sawyer Paddles & Oars
📍 Retail Store (Sawyer Station)
404 2nd Avenue, Gold Hill, OR 97525
📬 Mailing Address: PO Box 389, Gold Hill, OR 97525
📞 Phone: (541) 228-9645
📧 Email: info@sawyerstation.com
Factory / Headquarters (Dealers & B2B inquiries)
📍 299 Rogue River Parkway, Talent, OR 97540
📞 Phone: (541) 535-3606
📧 Email: info@paddlesandoars.com
Listen to the Sawyer on Water Podcast
Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for river-stories, craft-talk, community deep-dives and more with Sawyer founder Zac Kauffman.
Sawyer Paddles & Oars (business)
• Instagram: @sawyeroars
• Website: paddlesandoars.com
Sawyer On-Water Podcast
• Spotify: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Spotify
• Apple Podcasts: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Apple Podcasts
Filmed on Location: Rogue River
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