The Whitewater Blog

Mar 18, 2023
1 comment

Even after guide training is over, practice pulling yourself back into the raft, pulling others back in, and flipping your boat back over. Practice throw-bagging, swimming rapids, and high-siding. On fun runs, put yourself in unideal situations, and learn how to get out. For example, a surf you wouldn’t do with guests (nothing life-risking!)

Mar 11, 2023
0 comments

River Etiquette

We all rely on each other to stay safe on the river. Sometimes this means setting safety for other groups. Setting safety involves waiting at the bottom of a rapid for the group behind you to make it through, and it often happens without asking or communicating about it.

When you see another group behind you, pull over, get your throw bag ready, and watch them run the rapid. Once they’ve made it, they’ll likely wait for the group behind them. Of course, if they don’t make it, you might have to jump into action to help get a boat, kayak, or people out of the water.

Mar 05, 2023
10 comments

Raft Guide Superstitions

“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.

Feb 26, 2023
0 comments

5 Ways to get Involved in your Local Whitewater Community

There will almost always be a local Swift-water rescue option where you can learn, hands on, how to throw a throw bag, self-rescue and entrapment rescue, as well as how to flip and unpin boats and how to tie river knots. These courses are offered throughout the year in most whitewater communities. You can always contact a local raft outfitter for info about swift-water courses in your area.

colorado colorado rafting dry bag Grand Canyon kayaking mesh bags multi-day outdoor blog outdoor gear outdoors rafting rafting gear throw bag throw bags whitewater whitewater blog whitewater kayaking whitewater safety

Feb 17, 2023
1 comment

3 Essential Bags for Whitewater Rafting.

In this discussion we will talk about 3 essential whitewater bags to bring with you. First up, the throw bag. Essential to keep one accessible. You never know when a bad situation is coming and it is best to be prepared. Second, a dry bag. Dry bags are very important if you want to keep your clothes dry. Getting to camp and finding out your change of clothes is wet is a real bummer, and in colder months could be dangerous. Lastly, a good gear bag. Obviously rafting requires lots of gear and organization. Having random gear spread out all over the raft is never a good idea. Down below we will go into details and break down the specifics of why these bags are essential.

Beautiful Groover site in the Grand Canyon on a whitewater rafting trip.

Feb 16, 2023
0 comments

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!

colorado colorado rafting gunnison gorge kayaking mesh bags multi-day nature nature blog outdoor blog outdoor gear outdoors rafting rafting gear stories throw bags whitewater whitewater blog whitewater kayaking whitewater safety

Private boaters rafting in whitewater. This is a cover photo for whitewater rafting gear and throw bag information.

Feb 03, 2023
0 comments

A Message to Private Boaters

Between the quiet beauty of floating and the irreplaceable adrenaline of whitewater, river trips attract millions of visitors every year. Whitewater rafting and kayaking offer a way to connect with wild places, build community, and move your body. However, there is a dark side to the sports we love.

Dec 30, 2022
0 comments

What's the best meal you've had on the river?

So as you can guess, we had the whole canyon pretty much to ourselves. We decided to get ourselves and all of our gear down to the river the old fashioned way. Hiking. We opted out on renting horses, because we wanted to have a “real” adventure. So, we carried a 9' raft, all of our gear, paddles, pump, fishing pole, small food cooler that contained 4 sausages, small camp stove, tarp, dry bags, mesh bags, throw bags and camera gear in only 2 trips. 2 trips down a mile long, steep, rocky trail to the put-in. Down, up and down again for a total of 3 miles and well over a 1000ft of elevation changes. Down at the put in we had the pleasure of meeting Rooster, an old school park ranger that has patrolled that area for decades.

Previous 1 2