ROW Adventures Whitewater Craft Guide

ROW Adventures thoughtfully matches our whitewater rafting tours with the perfect combination of crafts to ensure an exceptional experience. Since 1979, we've tested, adapted, and pioneered improvements in our fair share of rubber. Our very first fleet included some very heavy WWII surplus rafts that had been painted with a silver paint called Gacoflex to preserve the old material.  They were so heavy we named them the "Silver Subs" because they tended to go through and under the waves rather than over them.  In 1985 we bought our first self-bailing raft, which was brand new to the market. We soon shared design ideas with the manufacturer.  We've had the good fortune of testing out many styles of craft made of different sorts of material, and today, we have selected what we consider to be the highest quality that suits our needs. Each craft type is unique; offering a different operational purpose, riding experience, propulsion as well as cargo capacity. If you're considering a ROW Adventure, get to know our craft options and their distinctive qualities below. 

 

group of white water rafters

Paddle Raft

The key is teamwork!  A guide in the back of the raft gives direction through commands such as "All forward," "All back," "Back left," etc. For those wanting to be active and wet, paddle boats are a great choice. 

Capacity: 4-8 Passengers

 

rafting in rapids

Stern Mount (Paddle Raft with Oar Assist)

The ideal combination of power and participation, stern mount oar rafts (also known as "oar assist paddle rafts") are ideal on rivers with extreme whitewater when having additional control is essential if your paddling team falls on the floor of the raft.  It's also a great option on rivers with long sections of flat water, so the guide can row while guests relax.  In 1984 we hired a guide from West Virginia named Conrad Fourney and he introduced us to stern-mount rowing frames.  He built us a couple of samples out of 2x6" lumber and we believe we were the first outfitter in the West to use stern mounts.  Today our frames are made of light-weight, strong aluminum.

Capacity: 4-8 Passengers

 

man cheers while white water rafting

Oar Raft

This is the traditional raft of the US West, now exported around the world! It's the perfect place to kick back, take pictures, and enjoy the scenery.  Rowed by a skilled guide using 10-11' oars, these 16-18 foot rafts have lots of room.  Custom-made aluminum boxes carry our kitchen and dry goods. Huge coolers packed with ice carry fresh food and cold beverages. The padded passenger seat across the front doubles as a kitchen table at camp.

Capacity: 3-5 Passengers

 

man navigates a raft in the river

Sweep Boat 

Unique to the Middle Fork of the Salmon, sweep boats are the modern version of old Mississippi longboats.  They only work on rivers with constant current and are designed to carry a lot of weight with little draft.  On our Middle Fork of the Salmon trips larger than 13 guests, ROW runs a sweep raft. This boat and guide arrive early in camp and set up the kitchen as well as the spacious tents that ROW provides. When the rest of the group arrives all you have to do is carry your personal gear to the tent of your choice and roll out your sleeping bag.

Capacity: One sweep driver and one swamper (assistant) plus about 2000 pounds of gear including food, ice, camping equipment, etc.

 

rafting on a calm river

Cargo Raft

Cargo rafts fulfill the same function as a sweep boat, but on rivers that have flat water between the rapids, you need to be able to row.  Our 22' cargo rafts have 11-12' oars out each side to accomplish this task.  

Capacity: A guide, swamper, and up to around 1500-2000 pounds of gear.

 

man white water kayaks

Inflatable Kayak

Inflatable kayaks are 11-13 feet long and there are single and double models.  Even with no prior experience, these stable crafts allow you to enjoy the thrill of river kayaking within minutes of putting on your flotation device and helmet. On rivers where we use inflatable kayaks, we share them among interested trip participants. We do not use inflatable kayaks on all the rivers  we run, and on those where we do take them, we  have guidelines in terms of which sections we allow these to be used. People using inflatable kayaks follow another raft through the rapids.  However, paddling one of these is essentially a self-guided experience and thus carry a higher risk than any other type of craft we offer because there is no guide in the boat with you. 

Capacity: 1 or 2 people.

Availability: Available on our Salmon River Canyons, Snake River through Hells Canyon and Rogue River trips.  Not available on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Deschutes, Bruneau, Owyhee, Lochsa, St. Joe, Clark Fork and Moyie trips.

 

white water raft with umbrella

Dory

Before there were rubber rafts, boats were made of wood, or canvas stretched over a wooden frame.  Dories carry on this tradition and provide a unique ride in an elegant craft.  The guide rows, leaving you to relax.

Capacity: 1 guide and 2-4 guests.

 

long canoe paddlers

Voyageur Canoe

On the Upper Missouri River in central Montana, along the Lewis & Clark trail, ROW runs 34' canoes that replicate those early fur traders used. Carrying 10-14 paddlers, these stable and maneuverable canoes create the perfect platform to gaze upon the passing scenery and tell stories of the river. Smaller 17' canoes are also available for those that prefer a bit more independence. 

Capacity: Up to 14 paddlers, but they work with as few as 4 paddlers.

 

If you're considering a multi-day whitewater trip, check out what a typical day on the river looks like with ROW Adventures.