Rafting for the First Time

Ninety percent of guests visiting us for the first time have never been rafting before. We offer numerous river trips throughout the summer that are perfect for first-time rafters, with the most popular trip being the Class 3 whitewater stretch. This trip is enjoyable for children as young as four years old. It is normal for younger children to be nervous when they first enter the boat, heck, even adults can be nervous if they have never gone whitewater rafting before. But rest assured, The River Company guides are competent and trained professionals who know how to make newcomers feel comfortable and are trained to make sure your kids have fun.

We Are Parents Just Like You

The owners of The River Company are parents of young children and their main objective is to make sure all kids have fun. All River Company guides are trained specifically to make children and first-time rafters feel at ease. In paddle rafts, children typically will ride in the back of the boat with the guide where the guide can keep a close eye on them. As with most new experiences, once a child goes through their first rapid they'll most likely spend the rest of the trip hoping for another roller-coaster wave or big splash. By the end of the trip they'll be "riding the bull"!

We recommend that children who are generally nervous about new experiences or are afraid of water to ride with their parents in an "oar raft". In these rafts, the guide does all the work while children and parents hang on and enjoy the ride. These rafts are bigger and provide a gentler experience.

Get Comfortable

For hot days, sunscreen and water are essential for everyone. Water and lemonade are provided at our lunch camp but if hydration is a concern, bring a water bottle to have on the boat. To cool off after the rapids, there are several calm, deep pools in which kids and adults can swim. "Jump rock" is one such place. Here you have the opportunity to jump off a rock into a deep section of the river. Jump rock is only minutes away from lunch where there is ample time to dry off and warm up.

The River Company provides all equipment necessary to be comfortable on the river. This includes wetsuits, booties, fleece jackets and splash tops. Should you have any concerns about your child and rafting, please don't hesitate to discuss it with us while making your reservation.