sounds like pretty normal to me - swimming from a raft isn't all that
much fun - i've had my share of swims in the last year (not when I was
captaining the raft - I won't say guiding as I'm not an official guide).

I know both my husband (who is yikes an official wva guide and I) stand
occasionally in the raft - It gives you a better line of vision when
approaching a rapid.

The Gauley doesn't "run" or "release" all the time - there is a "Gauley
Season" with occasional releases or runs after rainfall other times of
years - I could see how a guide who was coming down for the fall season
might not have run it since last year.

Taking trainees along is common practice - I couldn't tell from your
description if you were talking about a trainee or a girlfriend...

btw - I'm 46 and my husband is 50 - and lots of boaters are alot older -
but it may be that another sport is more comfortable for you.

sheila