When Robin Simms first left her hometown of Lanett, Alabama, she never imagined her path would eventually lead her back, much less to a world-class whitewater park on the banks of the Alabama River. 

For 15 years, Simms chased rivers and snow across the U.S. and Canada, building a career as a river guide, scientific tech, dog mushing kennel operator, and ski industry professional. She guided rafts in Colorado, canoed at the foot of a glacier in Alaska, captained boats in Alabama, and even raised and trained long-distance racing sled dogs for the 1,000-mile Iditarod. Along the way, she earned her business administration degree and began blending outdoor adventure with leadership and HR roles.

Simms said she never imagined Montgomery would host such a safe, inclusive entry point into the outdoor lifestyle she had poured her heart into for 15 years. “This place has the power to spark confidence, curiosity, and stewardship in our community–especially for youth,” she said. When she moved back to Alabama in 2017, she fell in love all over again with the state’s rivers and biodiversity—something she had taken for granted as a child. “If I’d had access to programs teaching river safety, stewardship, and ecology back then, I might never have left Alabama in search of adventure,” she added.

When her Canadian student permit expired, Simms returned to Alabama to raise her daughter, launching community-driven outdoor programs, mentoring foster youth, guiding veterans, and helping women connect through fly fishing. So when a friend from Colorado messaged her, “Aren’t you in Montgomery now? You’re getting a whitewater park!” she knew the pieces of her life were clicking into place. “Every step of my career led me here,” Simms said. “Now I get to blend my HR expertise with my outdoor background, grow opportunities for our team, and still spend time on the river with my kids.”

Today, Simms serves as Montgomery Whitewater’s Human Resources Generalist–though she calls herself a “multi-tool,” ready to jump in wherever she’s needed. She thrives on the challenge of building an organization from the ground up, knowing they’re still in the “infant stage” of something with massive potential. “One day, we’ll see local youth competing on the world stage–and know it started right here,” she said.

Her story is a personal reflection of what Montgomery Whitewater represents: a bold investment in outdoor recreation as a catalyst for innovation, economic development, and community connection. The facility was made possible by the leadership of the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District (MCCCD)–including the Montgomery County Commission, the City of Montgomery, and the State of Alabama–whose unprecedented partnership earned the county a place in the Innovate Alabama network. The designation recognizes initiatives that align with Innovate Alabama’s mission to drive statewide innovation by supporting people, places, and resources.

“Outdoor recreation is an integral part of Innovate Alabama’s mission,” said Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield. “Facilities like Montgomery Whitewater will be catalysts for attracting innovative talent and entrepreneurs to Alabama and give us an opportunity to show off Alabama’s treasured outdoor recreation assets.”

Since opening, the park has drawn steady crowds and spurred new development. Visitors can raft, kayak, climb, bike, and explore riverside trails—or simply enjoy the restaurants, green space, and event venues. It’s quickly become both a regional draw and a community gathering place.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair sees that as just the beginning, noting that building out Alabama’s outdoor recreation infrastructure will make the state more attractive to high-skill workers and help develop a stronger ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation. “It’s becoming clear that outdoor recreation attractions like Montgomery Whitewater can catalyze economic development at the local level,” said McNair. “Building out Alabama’s outdoor recreation infrastructure will make the state a more attractive location for high-skill workers and help us develop a stronger ecosystem for entrepreneurship and technological innovation.”

For Simms, the impact is already personal. Over the last several years, she’s built a deep connection to Montgomery itself, from her first home on South Hull Street in the Garden District to finding 80-million-year-old fossilized shark teeth in Catoma Creek with her daughters. “The Alabama River totally drew me in,” she said. “From the water to the music, the history, and the people–Montgomery has something for everyone.”

Whether she’s guiding a new hire through onboarding or paddling alongside her kids, Simms sees her role at Montgomery Whitewater as the perfect convergence of her skills, passions, and love for Alabama’s natural resources. And just like the rapids she’s spent her life navigating, she knows the momentum here is only building.

Discover more at montgomerywhitewater.com.