The Whitewater Blog

Jun 28, 2023
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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!

Jun 25, 2023
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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.

Jun 24, 2023
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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.

Jun 05, 2023
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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.

May 29, 2023
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Best Rivers to SUP in Colorado.

Make sure you are prepared. Make sure you know what to expect on the section of river you have chosen. Many river put-ins have signs to tell you the class of rapid to expect or if there are any dangers you need to be aware of. There are plenty of online resources to check the river flow level and read up on the local rapids. Take advantage of them and make sure you are comfortable with the sections you run and the current water level. Even if you are aiming to challenge your skill level, know what you are getting into.

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May 09, 2023
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9 Tips for Running High Water

1. Rig to Flip, Dress to Swim

This mantra is similar to “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” and is never more true than at high water. Be ready for a worst-case scenario by dressing your boat and yourself correctly. For example, you might want to rig a flip line across the bottom of your raft for help getting on top of it.

Likewise, consider rigging OS (Oh! Safety) straps across your thwarts and bringing extra spare paddles. If running an oar frame, ensure all straps are tight and tidy. Clip everything in and lock every carabiner. (Ensure you have no non-locking carabiners anywhere in the boat.)

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May 06, 2023
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Stand-Up Paddleboarding: From Flatwater to Waterfalls

Sam: Yeah, and it just so happens that's the biggest one that I've ever tried. It was a 20-foot waterfall…a really well-known, classic drop in the UK, and it's never been done on a paddle board before.

We sussed it out, had a look, made some decisions, and I remember saying it at the top, ‘This is actually going to be totally fine as long as my fins don't catch on that side,’ and I hopped on the board…

And the back of the board kicked out, the fins hit the exact [spot] I didn't want to hit, and then it just threw me over a 20-foot drop.

But, the water is so aerated and so pillowy that I literally didn't feel a thing…[In] the go-pro footage that was on my head, you can see me emerge, and then I say ‘Okay, let's do that again’