July 29th, 2008 by rafter
I read an article in the American Chronicle about memorable Christmas gifts over the holidays, and I thought about giving a rafting trip as a gift. Amazingly enough, the article actual recommends whitewater rafting as one of those “unforgettable gifts” if you are looking for something truly unique.
If you think, it really isn’t a bad idea. Events or activities are some of the most memorable moments in anyone’s life, and you can give that as a gift. Depending on where you live or where you want to go, you can find rafting day trips for under $100 per person. Not too shabby for a whole outdoor adventure. Especially if you were planning on spending that much anyway! Rafting America has the complete list of outfitters, locations and information for trips in the US, Canada and South America.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
I think I blogged about this issue previously, but seems like there is still some buzz with the locals and the whitewater park/route proposal. Some cities are in the process of adding whitewater rafting parks, with scores of acres dedicated to a fake river with rapids and descents. Waller Creek is still trying to do their own version of imitation whitewater rafting.
The proposal would take an already existing stretch of canal that runs through the city and turn it into a whitewater rafting run. The canal was originally propsed to take water from one end of a plain to the lake below, traveling straight through the city. River rafting was never in the original design intentions of the canal. If you read feedback on some of the news, you find quite a lot of different opinions on the matter. From the sounds of it, the canal, as it stand right now, is not a very pretty sight, and is poluted. I am not convinced this would be a good idea, but it would be minimal in construction, since the infrastucture is already in place. Could be worth a try?
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
A news source out of Tennessee reports that whitewater rafting in the drought stricken region has not hurt the whitewater rafting industry this season. Many around the nations have heard about the drought in the South-East corner of the U.S. this summer, and normally this means bad news for the rafting outfitters.
However, many don’t realize that a lot of the rivers in the regions are now dam controlled, with mandatory release dates and steady water levels. Like many other states and counties across the region, rafting and recreational outfitters have worked together with park services and governments to have a constant flow of water the whole season with release dates and minimum cfs flows.
The numbers from the Tennessee report give stats on the Ocoee River, which is one of the dam controlled rivers in the area. You would not expect there to be much variance there. The Chattooga River, however, has suffered a bit from the drought, and water levels are extremely low. So low that some outfitters are trying to steer customers towards other rivers just to maintain a fun experience.
The notable dam controlled rivers with whitewater rafting in the region that will maintain good water levels include: Ocoee River, Nantahala River, and Cheoh river, all of which are great river for short day trips.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
There have been a few stories in the past week or two alerting the nation of a couple of deaths during whitewater rafting trips. Five deaths already on the Arkansas River in Colorado, one recent death on a California river trip, and a few others around the country.
The question is, is this something to be concerned about? Well, it depends on how you look at the situation. Typically, when you hear of deaths on the river, it usually involves private boaters who take their own little tubes down a raging river and end up drowning. Commercial outfitters typically do not see many deaths. One news source from Colorado gave an historic breakdown for their commercial river rafting deaths for the past 5 years:
2000- 3 deaths
2001- 2 deaths
2002- none recorded
2003- none recorded
2004- none recorded
2005- 1 death
2006- 1 death
2007- ?
Nation-wide, the industry as a whole usually sees about 20-25 deaths a year on average, with some year hitting the 50 mark (2006). Overall, the numbers may be up this year, but when dealing with an extreme sport, it is always unpredictable. Mother nature is the deciding factor in these instances, and rivers are a tough force to reckon with.
In all though, it still remains a very safe, as long as you go with professional outfitters. Statistically, speaking less than half of all whitewater rafting deaths occur with a professional outfitter. They know the rivers, which spots to avoid, and are trained in rescue techniques to get you out of danger. Considering the number of rafters who go down rivers in any particular season (over 10 million annually), the fatality rate is extremely low (zero is always nice).
Moral of the story- dont be afraid to go rafting. Its still one of the greatest outdoor activities of all time!
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
This year the Junior Wildwater Championships were held in Columbia. Participants from all around the world came together for the event, in efforts to take home the championship. A total of90 competitors from over 15 coutries joined in the competition and made their way down to Columbia.
Held July 16th through July 19th, the competition was held on the Saluda River, Columbia. Known as a wild and wide river, it boasts a tough race. So who actually took home the gold?
You can visit the junior wildwater championship website for mroe details, but here is the run-down:
C1- Men- Czech pretty much dominted the top positions in this sprint
K1 Womens- GBR took 1st, FRA 2nd, CZE 3rd, GBR 4-5
K1 Mens- FRA 1st and 2nd, CZE 3rd, CAN 4th
K1 Womens team- GBr 1st, GER 2nd, CZE 3rd
K1 Mens Team- CZE 1st, GER 2nd, SUI 3rd
Individual K1 and C1 second heats and sprints were mixed, but as you can see CZE had a sound domination of the overall competition. USA came in about 5 or 6th in many of these sprints. Better lick next year on the river!
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
The use of alcohol on river rafting trips varies around the country and internationally. It has always been a debate as to whether alcohol should be allowed, if so, can customers bring their own, should it be limited to…….. and so on.
The American River in California has seen a large impact with restrictions on alcohol use one the river. Right now, the government prohibits alcohol use on any river on holidays and holiday weekends. One report quoted an outfitter saying that because of the ban, the river is much quieter and more peaceful. The Fourth of July this year did not turn out so many fights and problems, which can be directly correlated to alcohol consumption on the river.
So with one successful story of how bans on alcohol have affected river patron, what other locations can follow suite? Larger rafting outfitters (Grand Canyon, Idaho, Glacier Park) with longer multi-day vacations allow guests to bring their own booze, but it is limited and controlled to a certain point (hopefully). But smaller operations and daily rental places may not have the control over what customers bring on the river.
Either way, I think it is still in every one’s best interest to limit/prohibit alcohol consumption on the river.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
The end of May marked the first day of a new whitewater rafting option open in McHenry, MD. Adventure Sports Center International is one of the very few man-made river courses in the country. The USNWC (US national whitewater center) is one of the more recent additions.
I have been blogging about the many various plans around the country for these man made centers, and now they are starting to come into fruition. This particular center took over 3 years to complete, but many say it was worth the wait. The course of recirculating water is about 1/3 mile long, with plenty of real boulders taken directly from the mountains.
The Adventure Sports Center website provides details and information on the course.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
Looks like we are getting mixed reviews for the outlook of whitewater rafting around the country. Naturally, spring offers the best water runoff as the river catch the brunt of the early snow runoff. Colorado is experiencing great water levels (we all remember the horrible storms in Denver over the winter), perhaps the best they have seen in over a decade. You even have water agencies in Colorado and some parts of California letting out a little extra water now to prepare for the increased runoff. Other areas of California are lower than expected.
And for other parts? Southern Utah has average levels right now, but things are not looking so great for the rest of the season. Water levels on the Colorado River and Green River could see a 5 year low, bringing it back to the dry season three years ago.
The East coast is getting mixed results as well. North-East regions has levels as good as last year, some even running high. But travel down South towards the GA, TN region, and things are running in the 10% level of where they should be.
It will make for an interesting season across the country, and hopefully everyone will at least have an increase over last year.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
Held at the new U.S. National Whitewater Center and Park in North Carolina, this year’s national team trials. It drew large crowds and over 14,000 people came to observe the trials and the paddling prowess of the nations best whitewater paddlers.
The official U.S. Canoe and Kayak website has all the official team and individual slalom results from the entire event.
As more and more whitewater rafting parks and water parks pop-up around the country, the sport of kayaking and whitewater rafting will only continue to grow. Already, major Central and East Coast cities are look to expand their water park centers and venues.
A North-Jersey.com story reports that the water parks in the Jersey, Wisconsin and New York areas will only continue to grow, as you have massive populations in these region who are looking for a weekend getaway or some type of adventurous vacation not across the country.
Although the whitewater rafting parks in these places do not compare with the real deal, it is still a parallel partnership that will benefit the entire river rafting industry.
July 29th, 2008 by rafter
Adventure travel and whitewater rafting are at the top of the list for the baby boomer generation. Don’t expect them to sit at home and spend their retirement. Most studies show that this market segment makes up a majority of travel now in the U.S.
A recent study of retirement communities conducted by Del Webb (a retirment community management firm) showed that the proffered activities patrons look for in a community now is the “active” lifestyle option. Hang-gliding, river rafting and other physical activities.
“Even adventure programming, such as hiking, climbing and river rafting are appealing to a much larger percentage of our residents,” says a representative from Pulte Homes, working on various community projects.
Of course, it will be wise to tap into this valuable market. 77% of this community states that they will still work at least a few days a week, bringing in valuable cash and funds available for travel and leisure.
