5 Tips For Selecting a White Water Rafting Guide

It was time, at last.  Growing up on the Missouri River in South Dakota, I miss having water recreation in my life.  This summer my youngest was 7 years old, and I knew it was time to take the white water rafting plunge!

We had a perfect opportunity to do so on a press trip to the Royal Gorge area of Colorado recently.  But I fear our amazing experience set the bar for us pretty high, right off the bat.  Because rafting is not without risks, you definitely want to select your rafting guide carefully.

Rafting is a charming culture, and we were quickly enamored.  Here’s some of what we learned, and some solid advice before you go on this outdoor adventure.

5 Tips – Picking a White Water Rafting Guide

There’s a huge range when it comes to white water rafting outfitters, and there are a few guidelines you can use to select who your family uses for their adventure.  I recommend considering the following.

#1 – Longevity in the Rafting Business

There are many, many rafting companies in popular white water areas such as Colorado’s stretch of Arkansas River.  In the Canon City / Royal Gorge region alone, there are around 200.  Fleets range in size from very small, to large outfits who can take 500-600 guests per day out on the river.

Some have been in the rafting business for years and years.  Check into their history before booking your rafting trip.

#2 – Appearance, Quality, and Condition of Gear

Do boats, transport buses, gear and rental facilities look well maintained and of good quality?  Although I’m not a rafting expert, the Echo Canyon Rafting Expeditions (near Canon City, CO) headquarters bears testimony to a meticulously run shop.

After having worked for other rafting companies, raft guide Alex boasted, “I’m proud to work for Echo Canyon, they’re the best rafting company in this area.” He went on to explain that Echo Canyon River Expeditions has the biggest fleet, excellent guide training, and nicest equipment.

#3 Training of Raft Guides

It’s not uncommon in the industry for a rafting company to use summer raft guides they have trained from scratch.  I found this surprising, if not a little unnerving.

Safety is highly valued, as this sport can be risky, and many visitors are rafting with children.

Guides are required by state regulations to have 50 hours of training on the water.  Echo Canyon River Expeditions goes way beyond the required amount of training.   They require their guides to undergo a guide “boot camp” of sorts, consuming double the amount of time that’s required by law for raft guide training.  They strive to create a culture of safety, and consistency is key.

Owner Andy Neinas explains their approach, “It’s not that there’s only one right way to do certain things. It’s just that we stick to a single way to do things. Then we do it that same way, every single time, to make sure it’s always done correctly.”

I was impressed by this strategy, as it surely contributes to quality assurance.  His experience as the owner of a rafting company for over 30 years, combined with being a former raft guide himself, has a solid influence on the careful and deliberate way Echo Canyon is run.

#4 Additional Amenities Offered

If you are rafting in early season, even on a hot day that water is COLD.  Look for a company that offers addition amenities – like wetsuit rental to make your trip much more comfortable.

Although I wasn’t super excited to squeeze into a thick spandex body suit… I was very grateful to have one on.  Not being cold allowed us to enjoy those river splashes MUCH more.

#5 Be Your Own Go-Pro Star!

Saved the best for last.  What would you say to having Go-Pro footage of your family rafting through some white water?

Best. Souvenir. Ever.

Well, if you’re interested in this…  you’ll want to be sure and book with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, as they are the ONLY RAFTING COMPANY in the Royal Gorge area to have GoPro cameras mounted in every boat!

Owner Andy tackled this challenge personally, helping craft a custom mounting system that would allow a Go-Pro camera to face the rafters and capture live footage while going through the rapids.  A semi-mad scrambling of staff makes it possible to have your boat’s footage downloaded and available on a flash drive, by the time you return to headquarters.

So much awesome!!  Take home your bragging rights, yo.

Echo Canyon River Expeditions Review

All of those things considered, I can give a solid recommendation for Echo Canyon River Expeditions.  We had an absolute fantastic experience with them, and felt like we were in solid hands the entire time.  We will return to raft again with them on our own dime, without question.

Their location right along Colorado’s Highway 50 is very easy to find, and they’ve built up a super cool destination just in this one spot.  The 8 Mile Bar and Grill is attached, and serves delicious chef-made food (not your typical burger joint).  And their new venture is a ‘glaming’ resort right across the street, which is a perfect headquarters for your family vacation – Royal Gorge Cabins.

Read more about a family adventure trip to this area, in my post Must-Do Family Adventures Near Colorado’s Royal Gorge.

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My family was hosted on a family media trip by Echo Canyon River Expeditions.  All opinions are my own.