History of ROW

1978 – ROW Founder, Peter Grubb, started working as a river guide in West Virginia for a company called Wildwater Unlimited, owned by the Dragan brothers who pioneered rafting on the New River.

1979 – After a 10-day hike in the high Sierras to decide whether or not to start a raft company, Grubb moved to San Francisco and partnered with his older brother, David. In November 1979 ROW Adventures was listed as a California business.

1980 – ROW moves to Spokane, Washington and operates its first season on the Owyhee River and Grande Ronde River, taking a total of 13 people on three trips.

1981 – ROW's second season sees growth, taking 52 people on six trips on the Owyhee River and Grande Ronde River. State of Idaho grants ROW licenses on the Moyie River, Priest River, Kootenai River, Upper Owyhee River and Lower Salmon River. This was a major turning point for ROW.

1982 – ROW runs its first trips on the Moyie River, taking about 200 people on one day trips. Also ran the Owyhee, Grande Ronde and took about 70 people on the Lower Salmon River.

1983 – Grubb buys his brother's share of the business.

1984 – Peter marries Betsy Bowen. ROW is one of five outfitters selected by the Forest Service and Idaho Outfitters & Guides Licensing Board to outfit trips on the thunderous Lochsa River.

1984 – ROW runs its first international trip—a yacht tour of Turkey.

1986 – ROW acquires an outfitter and begins operations on the Snake River through Hells Canyon.

1987 – ROW operates its first trip on the St. Joe River.

1988 – ROW makes its first international yacht trip to the Adriatic Coast of former Yugoslavia, now Croatia.

1989 – Ten year anniversary. ROW acquires a company and begins its famous river trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

1991 – ROW incorporates its business. Begins operating raft trips on the Lower Selway River.

1992 – Begin operations on the Clark Fork River in Montana, now ROW's biggest single day rafting trip. Launched raft-supported hiking trips. Made first-descent on the Rio Upano in Ecuador.

1993 – Began offering international rafting trips on Ecuador's Rio Upano – the River of the Sacred Waterfalls.

1994 – ROW begins offering self-drive and luxury barge operations in France.

1998 – ROW obtains BLM permit to run trips on Montana's Upper Missouri River.

1999 – Twenty years in business. Upper Missouri River canoe trips are launched. Acquired a Bruneau River operation and began rafting this Idaho desert river. Added international yacht tour of Greece and started Alaska adventure cruise operations.

2000 – ROW adds British Columbia adventure cruise itinerary to its international trips destinations.

2003 – ROW launches its fly fishing division.

2005 – River Dance Lodge opens in Syringa, Idaho to become Idaho's adventure resort and base of operations for ROW's Clearwater, Lochsa and Selway rafting trips. Launched exploratory trip in the Galapagos Islands.

2006 – Began operation of Galapagos Unbound – a multisport adventure on these iconic islands. ROW is the only outfitter offering seas kayaking and camping on the archipelago.

2007 – ROW opened the doors of the ROW Adventure Center in Coeur d’Alene, ID and offered its trips inside a small retail outlet.