We’re a small family-run company, and we see guests as new friends we’re on the river with. Also, we really are rafting safety experts. Our founder sits on the board of the Alberta and BC provincial rafting associations, and in 2019 she oversaw updating the Alberta Rafting Safety Standards. In 2020, she co-authored the Covid-19 Best Practices for River Outfitters for both provinces. Our other owner has taught Swiftwater Rescue since 2001 and has been Raft Guide Examiner certifying guides since 2005. White water rafting is more than a job for us; it’s our passion, our profession and way of life. And what we love most is to share that with other people.

• Rafting is statistically less dangerous than recreational bicycling or skiing
• We’ve rafted without serious incident since 1998, and we have an extensive Risk Management program.
• Check out our ‘Is Rafting Safe?’ page for more information.

• Yes, sometimes people fall out. However, your helmet, lifejacket and wetsuit provide a lot of protection, and…
• We give an extensive safety talk before the trip and show you what to do if you fall out. 
• Most of the time, you are picked right back up again, and you have a great story to tell!

• Many of our guests can’t swim, and some are afraid of water. 
• Kids under 13 sit in the middle where it’s safer. 
• We teach everyone what to do if they fall out of the raft.
• Our lifejackets are designed to keep you safe, even in rapids.

You really don’t need anything – we supply all the rafting gear. But we have a list of what’s recommended for you to bring:

WE PROVIDE

• Neoprene wet suits & socks.
• Wind-resistant jackets.
• High-performance water helmets.
• US Coast Guard approved Type V life jackets.
• Available on cold days
  • Wind-resistant splash pants.
  • Neoprene mitts.

YOU CAN BRING

• Closed shoes that can get wet: water shoes, sports sandals or old runners.
• Swimsuit or lightweight underclothes for under the wetsuit.
• Towel, warm clothes and dry shoes for after. 
• Sunglasses, a tie-on for prescription glasses.
• Extra medication, EpiPen for deadly allergies.

• Most likely. We have a wide selection of sizes. 
• Adult wetsuits and jackets go as large as 4XL (350 lbs). 
• Kids’ suits & jackets start at children size 6. 
• Whitewater PFDs (lifejackets) are rated by weight. 
• For the Revelstoke Rapids and Canyon Whitewater, kids have to weigh about 50 pounds.

• It varies. Our float trips don’t even require paddling! Our whitewater trips require moderate paddling, so you should be in good health for those. 
• When the water is highest, all trips require hard, sustained paddling, so a reasonable fitness level is required.
• We have taken many guests with limited abilities, and they usually sit in the middle of the raft.  

• Yes! We strongly believe in making rafting accessible to anyone who wants to go. 
• Our guests have included paraplegics, the legally blind, autistic and a range of other disabilities. 
• Seniors are welcome, too. Even on our white water trips, we’ve had guests in their nineties!

• In some ways, rafting is the BEST outdoor activity to do when it is raining because you’re dressed to get wet!
• Whitewater trips go rain or shine, but we add more layers when it’s raining and cold. 
• In hard, sustained rain, we cancel and refund our Columbia Float and River Pirates trips. No other trips are cancelled because of rain (or snow!)

• Usually, but ask! Often we have last-minute spots.
• If a trip is available online, you can book it!

• There are usually between 6 to 8 people in a raft. 
• With Covid restrictions, you cannot have anyone in your raft (except the guide) who is not part of your group.

• Please arrive AT YOUR START TIME – not before. 
• This is especially important with Covid health restrictions.

That will make your guide’s day! They work hard before and after trips to ensure you’re always safe and have fun on the river. 10-15% of the trip price per person is the norm. But, even though tipping is deeply appreciated, it’s never expected.

Yes – every member of your party has to sign a Waiver and Assumption of Risk. This is done online before your trip – you can see a copy of it here.

• Yes, and we put them on Facebook for free! 
• In Revelstoke, we take pictures from shore through the rapids. You can purchase high-quality ones or get them free off Facebook. 
• In Grande Cache, the guides take pictures with GoPros. You can also purchase those or for free on Facebook.

• In Revelstoke, our River Pirates and Columbia Float trips are for ages 4 and up. 
• The Revelstoke Rapids trip is usually ok for ages 8 and up. But, sometimes water levels are too high for kids under 12. This varies a lot in July, so we will let you know if you are booking kids. 
• In Grande Cache, Alberta, our Canyon Whitewater trip is for ages 8 and up.

• Not for most of our trips, but our Extreme Rafting trip in Grande Cache, Alberta, requires experience. 
• We give a thorough safety talk before the trips that includes a paddling demonstration. 

• Sadly, your fur family can’t go on the river for liability reasons 🙁 
• Ask us about pet care options.

Although Covid has changed this, these are our usual opening and closing dates: 

• Revelstoke trips start mid-June and go until just after the Labour Day weekend. 
• Grande Cache trips begin in late May and go until the last weekend in August. 
• We can usually accommodate an earlier or later trip date, so just ask us!

• High water is the most exciting time to go, which is spring and early summer. But, we often raise age guidelines for kids. If you have kids, book in late July and August.
• In Grande Cache, high water is usually late May and June, so book then for the most exciting rides. 
• In Revelstoke, high water is in July. 
• In both locations, the warmest month is usually August.
• The class of the rapids rarely change – except for extremely high water. There are more obstacles to paddle around in lower water, so it’s still a fun experience.