Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

The Captains

The Best on the River

We are committed to giving our guests a fun, unique and above all safe experience on the river.

Passenger safety is our number 1 priority. It always has been and always will be.

We own the business.

We pilot the boat.

We care.

a group of people posing for the camera

Captain Jasper Gray

US Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain

Capt Jasper has worked on the Ohio River since he was 16 years old. Starting as a deck hand he graduated from Sea School in Alabama and earned his US Coast Guard Master Captain License at the age of 19. He was the youngest Master Captain on the Ohio River. He is committed to passenger safety and providing his guests with a great river experience.

He attends Western Kentucky University and will graduate in 2025 with a degree in Animal Science. When he is not on the river he works on the family farm, raises livestock and enjoys anything to do with tractors and farm equipment . You are in good hands with Capt Jasper.

Captain Paul Nicholson

US Coast Guard licensed Master Captain

Capt Paul founded Rockin Thunder River Tours in 2012. He grew up in Oregon and has been fortunate enough to Jet Boat the whitewater rivers of the Pacific Northwest and raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He owned his first boat at age 15 and has been on the water ever since. Capt Paul is a former military officer, stock broker, TV Fishing show host and for 3 years served as the Air Field Supervisor at McMurdo Station Antarctica for the US Antarctic Program.

His perfect day is exploring a stretch of river with fun loving guests. You will have fun, laugh and hearĀ  tall tales when you ride with Capt Paul.

Captain Janet Harding

US Coast Guard licensed Master Captain (RETIRED)

Capt Janet co-founded Rockin Thunder River Tours in 2012. She grew up boating and waterskiing on the lakes of Indiana and Illinois. After a career in real estate she worked as a driver for the US Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station Antarctica.

She enjoys snow skiing, bicycle touring and spending time with her family. Her favorite part of being a Captain is meeting wonderful people from all over the world. Capt Janet loves adventure travel on and off the water .