The Whitewater Blog
arkansas rivercampcampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftingdry bagGrand Canyongroovergunnison gorgehip packhip throw bagkayakingnaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearPaddleboard blogpaddleboarding blogRafting StoriesstoriesSUP Blogwaterfall blogwhitewater blog
If you think you are capable of doing something within your limits and don’t because you're too afraid, that’s wrong. Not saying you should do things outside of your limits or even necessarily push your limits. I’m saying if you think you can do something, you should face your fears and at least try. The worst case scenario that you play in your head is 10 times worse than what is probably going to happen in reality. It can be tough to commit when afraid, but extremely satisfying when you succeed. Amelia Earhart once said “The fears are paper tigers.” and she’s totally right in most cases. Fear is a necessary part of life that keeps you safe. But when they can be overcome, you will grow tremendously.
arkansas rivercampcampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftingdry bagGrand Canyongroovergunnison gorgehip packhip throw bagkayakingmesh bagsmulti-daynaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorspaddleboardPaddleboard blogpaddleboarding blograftingrafting gearRafting Storiesriver stationriver station gearriver station throw bagstoriesSUPSUP Blogthrow bagthrow bagstravelwaist throw bagwaterfall blogwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas riverwhitewater blogwhitewater kayakingwhitewater paddleboardWhitewater paddleboardingwhitewater raftingwhitewater safetywhitewater SUP
Our motto since day one was “Stand Out”. We built our whole company off of the idea to not copy others and stick to our own designs. We think that it is super important to be unique and not just recreate the same products that already exist. Really anything that you can dream up in your head you can make into a reality. Not all ideas are winners, but having bad ideas usually leads to good ones. We are all about doing RnD and making concept pieces that don’t exist in the world yet, or updating and improving on old systems. If you know about River Station Gear please share us with your friends and help our little business grow!
arkansas rivercampcampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftingdry bagGrand Canyongroovergunnison gorgehip packhip throw bagkayakingmesh bagsmulti-daynaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorspaddleboardPaddleboard blogpaddleboarding blograftingrafting gearRafting Storiesriver stationriver station gearriver station throw bagstoriesSUPSUP Blogthrow bagthrow bagstravelwaist throw bagwaterfall blogwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas riverwhitewater blogwhitewater kayakingwhitewater paddleboardWhitewater paddleboardingwhitewater raftingwhitewater safetywhitewater SUP
Essential Gear for Raft Guides
There is a time and a place for everything. Rowing down your favorite rapid, on a remote section of river in your birthday suit can be fun. But generally speaking, you are going to want to at least keep your body protected from the harsh summer sun. Depending on the time of the season, there are lots of options for clothing.
campcampingcoloradocolorado raftingnature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorspaddleboardPaddleboard blograftingrafting gearRafting Storiesriver stationriver station gearriver station throw bagstoriesSUP Blogwaist throw bagwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas riverwhitewater kayakingwhitewater paddleboardWhitewater paddleboardingwhitewater rafting
Beginners Guide to the Multi-Day Trip
Think about how much fun boating down a river is, now just add in backpacking, and you have the multi-day or overnight rafting trip. The upside is that instead of carrying all your gear on your back, you just strap it into your raft and push it down the river. This gives the option to either pack light and have a mobile boat, or get a little glamping in and bring ALL the necessities, plus extra fun and comfortable gear.
arkansas rivercampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftingdry baghip throw bagkayakingmulti-daynaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorspaddleboardPaddleboard blogpaddleboarding blograftingrafting gearRafting Storiesriver stationriver station gearriver station throw bagstoriesSUPSUP Blogthrow bagthrow bagstravelwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas river
5 Alternative Whitewater Crafts to Master
Kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports around, and for good reason. It’s super fun! Kayaking can seem intimidating at first but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to get into a kayak without immediately going down raging rapids. Local pools are a great place to start. Most pools have a kayak night where you can go and just float around a pool with a bunch of friends. This will give you a good feel for the boat and build your confidence each time you go. These groups will also teach you how to roll a kayak in a safe environment. Dialing in your kayak roll will definitely boost your confidence.
campcampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftingdry bagGrand Canyongroovergunnison gorgehip packhip throw bagkayakingmesh bagsmulti-daynaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorsraftingrafting gearRafting Storiesriver stationriver station gearriver station throw bagstoriesthrow bagthrow bagstravelwaist throw bagwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas riverwhitewater blogwhitewater kayakingwhitewater raftingwhitewater safety
Some states require river logs for commercial guides, including Colorado. But even in places that don’t, keeping a detailed log is a good idea. You never know when you might need to show a potential employer your river history. And a thorough guide log can save you from lawyers and State Park’s departments if, god forbid, something happens.
arkansas rivercampingcoloradocolorado businesscolorado raftinghip packhip throw bagkayakingmesh bagsmulti-daynaturenature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorsraftingrafting gearRafting Storiesstoriesthrow bagthrow bagstravelwaist throw bagwhitewaterwhitewater arkansas riverwhitewater blogwhitewater kayakingwhitewater raftingwhitewater safety
“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself. -Laura Gilpin
Those of us working on the river every day feel this magic power better than anyone. Sometimes it doesn't matter how many times you’ve run a rapid; the river has other plans. The mysterious nature of the river has given rise to various superstitions. Here are a few river rat superstitions you would be wise to abide by.
campcampingcoloradocolorado raftingGrand Canyongrooverkayakingmesh bagsmulti-daynature blogoutdoor blogoutdoor gearoutdoorsraftingrafting gearRafting Storiesstoriesthrow bagswhitewaterwhitewater blogwhitewater kayakingwhitewater safety
How (Not) To Use a Groover Toilet
We reached out to the river community for groover fail stories, and you guys delivered. The following horror stories come to us from all over the country. Each is worth a laugh and provides a great opportunity to learn from others' mistakes. Enjoy!