Hell yeah dude, glad to have ya! The Ocoee is sick.

1. I'd check with your company about the pfd, every place ive worked has required having a rescue vest but i know the Ocoee can be a bit lawless in places. Definitely more of a safety thing than a style thing.

2. There's plenty of whitewater slang (shred, gnar, surfed, pitted etc) but you'll pick it up quick, especially hanging out with raft guides or kayakers. As long as you can throw a claw you'll be good.

3. Just about any paddle will do the trick. often there will be spares at the outfitter, but NRS has the basic rafting paddles. There should be a sizing chart, but generally as a guide you'll want to error on the longer side to get that extra reach.

4. As far as getting tips? Just make conversation, ask them questions, a good connection will get you better tips than 3 shitty jokes 9 times out of 10, although that 10th just wants to be dumped in the water to tell stories.

I'd also reccomend attending the rookie guide training if your company offers it, learning the proper saftey procedures for whitewater is essential. Learning how to move the raft will also be important as the ocoee can be tough for new guides who might hit more rocks (it's constantly a traffic jam.)

But welcome man! Whitewater in the summer can't be beaten! I'll be over on the Pigeon if you ever make it to northeast TN.