Pursuit
Whitewater Rafting
Oar rigs and paddle crews — multi-day river logistics and safety.
About whitewater rafting
Rafting turns a river into a floating basecamp. You can carry coolers, kitchens, and groovers through canyons no other craft can supply — as long as the rigging and the safety system are right.
Season: Snowmelt peaks in spring; permitted canyon seasons run into fall.
Learn these first
- Rigging a frame so nothing shifts in a big lateral
- Oar strokes: portegee, back-ferry, and pivot timing
- Paddle-crew commands and how to captain a boat that listens
- Flip drills, high-side calls, and rescue in the swim
Kit that matters
- Self-bailing raft and a frame with dry boxes
- Spare oar, patch kit, pump, and strap inventory
- PFDs, helmets, and wetsuits or drysuits by water temp
- Groover, firepan, and a river kitchen for permitted stretches
Honest hazard notes
- Wrapped boats on midstream rocks
- Flip risk in big-water holes at high flows
- Sun and dehydration on long canyon days
Plan a whitewater rafting trip
Whitewater Rafting reading
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Whitewater Rafting FAQ
Is rafting beginner friendly?
As a paddle-crew guest, yes — Class II–III commercial trips are approachable. Rowing your own boat is a multi-season apprenticeship.
What flow is too high?
It depends on the run, but rising water and debris in the current are a universal signal to wait a day.