The Whitewater Blog
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5 Lessons the River has Taught Me (So far)
A lot of activities, it can be really easy to say, “No! I can’t keep going. I’m too scared.” For example, if you’re skiing down your first black, you may be able to find a chance to sit down and allow those nervous feelings to take over. Whereas, unlike many other sports, whitewater doesn’t really allow you to do that. If you’re in the middle of the rapid, that is where you are. It demands that you be present and run that rapid. You can be absolutely scared, but you’re running it scared at that point.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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7 Things To Keep in Your Rafting Dry Bag
What’s in Your Dry Bag?
River runners, guides, and private boaters alike should never go out without their waterproof dry bags. What you put in it is another thing entirely, although extra layers, snacks, and a first aid kit are a good place to start.
What’s the most random thing in your dry bag? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this with your river rat friends.