I love it when I hear guests say “Well, this was NOT what I expected!” because they are always pleasantly surprised at how fun a multi-day river trip can be. I decided to compile my most commonly-heard misconceptions about multi-day whitewater trips from guests and explain them here. Enjoy!
All rafting trips are for intense whitewater junkies.
People get this idea from hearing their friends and families stories from day trips, which are chosen because those stretches of rivers have the most rapids per mile available in the region. If that’s your only idea of whitewater trips, of course you wouldn’t want to spend 5 days full of white-knuckling your paddle and holding on for dear life. But let me explain to you that why that won’t be the case...
...Most multi-day rivers don’t sustain continuous whitewater. There are many calm stretches to balance out rapids on our rivers. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to paddle. You can sit on a gear boat and let the guide do all the work, no paddling required.
I’ll lose weight on my rafting trip.
I’m sorry to break it to you that our multi-day trips are not starvation trips. There are always plenty of good, healthy food choices available. You will be burning calories as with any active vacation in the outdoors. However, our fresh and delicious menus will have you well-fed throughout the trip.
The guides are 20-something river rats.
Contrary to the stereotype, we ROW Guides take pride in our job. When people ask me off river what I do for a living, I say that I am a professional river guide. I went through a lot of training and have years of experience to achieve my position, just like you would at any other job. I’m proud of that! An average ROW multi-day guide is in their 30’s, has a college degree, has traveled abroad, and has at least 5 years of whitewater experience under their belt.
Camping is uncomfortable.
What we provide on our camping trips is not what most would consider camping. When I think of camping I think of:
- Hard ground
- Unsanitary conditions
- Wrestling with a tent every night
- Being dirty
- Eating poorly and being hungry
- Wearing the same clothes every day
What we do at ROW is what I call “Glamping” or Glamor Camping. Here is the difference:
- Comfortable, thick pad to sleep on
- Privacy and plenty of sanitation for bathroom activities
- Tent is set up for me
- Solar showers and river swims to keep me clean
- Gourmet food for every meal
- Rafts carry my stuff so I can bring a change of clothes
And the list goes on. Don’t hesitate to ask your Adventure Consultant about anything! Or better yet, come see for yourself!
