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Experience the fun of white water rafting whether young or old, fit or out of shape, and learn the adventure river sport. Our guests are often beginner rafters just like you. Many have never run a whitewater river but enjoy the outdoors and want to participate in an enjoyable and exciting rafting trip. The South Fork American River is the most popular river in California for rafting, and enjoyed by everyone regardless of skill level. Be prepared though---once you go you will want to come back!
First-Time Rafting
Mariah Wilderness Expeditions stands out due to our extensive professional whitewater guiding experience, standards of service, and top safety records. Our priority is your safety and we have rigorous standards - from our guide school training to the swift water equipment we use. Our emergency precautions and our highly trained staff guarantee you the best possible whitewater adventure. Rest assured that when you choose Mariah, you will be well taken care of! First-Time Rafting Frequently Asked Questions
Our rafting trips often create lifelong memories for our guests and offer you a unique rafting vacation experience. When you choose a California rafting trip for your vacation, you will discover a unique sense of escape and renewal, removing you from civilization for a bit. Absorb amazing scenery as you float through each rapid amidst rushing whitewater – learn new paddle commands in a “no worries” environment – discover how to paddle together as a team forming new bonds between family and friends, or youth and church groups, or corporate employees. Completely relax to the rhythmic sound of the river lapping at the side of your raft. Rafting is thrilling, exciting, wet, wild and unbelievably fun. However, as with all adventure sports, there is inherent risk involved. That risk contributes to the excitement, and is one of the reasons people enjoy rafting so much. Mariah's guides are trained to minimize and manage risks, and, statistically, you're safer in a raft than in your car. The most common injury on most rafting trips is sunburn, and most other injuries occur on land, especially getting into and out of the boats. One government report noted that the injury rate for whitewater rafting is similar to that for bowling!
Everyone on commercial rafting trips wears a coast guard approved life vest or personal flotation device (PFD). This critical piece of equipment will keep you afloat in the event that you find yourself in the river. Many non-swimmers go on Mariah rafting trips, and they have a great time. Your guide will give you an indepth safety talk before your trip explaining what to prepare for and do in the event you fall out of the raft. Your guide is professionally trained in swift whitewater rescue and will work with the rest of your guide team to ensure that you are able to feel comfortable with the whitewater conditions on your trip. All non-swimmers should talk to a Mariah's expert river guide when considering a Class IV+ or Class V trip.
Plan "A" is always to stay in the boat, but believe it or not, many people love falling out of the boat. It's exciting. But it can be disorienting and a little overwhelming at first. Many people have taken multiple trips and never fallen in. Some people swim on their first trip. It's all a part of rafting. Before you go on any of our trips, you'll be given extensive instructions on what to do if you fall in, and how to stay safe. Follow your guide's instructions, and your "swim" could be the most exciting part of your trip and a great story to tell your friends afterwards!
On rafting trips where we use oar boats (the guide does most of the work), you can choose to be as active as you wish. On many rafting trips paddle boats are used. This means that guests will be an active source of power to move the boat through the rapids and you will need to learn commands from your guides to help maneuver the boat as it moves downstream. You should be reasonably healthy, and must be able to fit into the life vests supplied by your outfitter. Paddling can sometimes be tiring, but your guides will instruct you on paddling techniques which are lots of fun to learn. If you're in doubt about your fitness to go rafting, check with your doctor before you go.
Mariah has special family trips available, on which you can take children as young as four. Each particular river trip has its own suggested age limits. View our Rates & Dates page for a comparison of trips and the trip age requirements.
For fit, active seniors over 65 we recommend, as a first step, a class II paddleboat or oar boat trip. Depending on how this feels to you, you might want to try paddling a Class III river. Many healthy people of all ages, including folks in their 70's and 80's enjoy rafting at all levels. For more information, read our blog on Mariah's owner, Donna Hunter, an inspiration to all that are considering a whitewater adventure.
Your trip begins when you meet the trip leader at your designated rendezvous place and time. They will collect your release forms and distribute equipment Then everyone gets on the bus which will transport you to the “put in” where rafts await you in the river. At the put in, the trip leader will give you a safety talk - a vital 20 to 30 minute discussion about how to be safe on the water. Then you'll head to your boat and jump in! Paddleboats typically seat six to eight people and a guide. On a paddleboat, the guide will give you further instruction on how to paddle once you are afloat and give you time to practice following his or her commands. Then you'll head on down the river, and have the time of your life! If you are just learning to raft, start off with a Class II or III, or an easy Class IV rafting trip. If you are nervous about being part of a paddleboat, an alternative is to ride along on an oar boat, which Mariah uses on different rivers. Many rafters who are confident in the water, healthy, and feel adventurous, drop right into a Class IV river without prior experience. Guides will make sure you are trained in safety and paddle techniques. For Class V rivers, you must have prior class IV experience.
Luckily…we are not a fashion show! Your gear will depend on the time of year, water temperature, and weather for your trip. Ask Mariah for gear recommendations before your trip. As a rule of thumb we recommend you dress for the water temperature, rather than the air temperature, since you'll be getting wet. Wetsuits can be rented, and are best when you know you'll be constantly wet--some rivers have prolonged spaces between rapids, which can make a wetsuit unbearable on hot days. Cooler days, with cold water, and especially Class V trips, we require a wetsuit, or a wetsuit/paddle jacket combination. You might also bring some synthetic fleece, polypropolene, capilene, or wool garments. Don't wear cotton because when it becomes wet, it will just make you colder. An old pair of tennis shoes, running shoes, or even Converse hi-tops are the best on the river. Wetsuit booties are good if it is cold. Sandals don't offer as much protection, and tend to come off easily in a swim. Sunglasses, especially prescription glasses, should have a croakie or other retainer that cinches tight. Consider a hat cord to tie your hat to your life jacket as well. In warmer weather, and late season warmer water, shorts and a T-shirt are good. Use sunscreen, but don't put it on your forehead, or the backs of your legs. It may run into your eyes, or cause you to be slipping all over the boat. |
Experience the fun of white water rafting whether young or old, fit or out of shape, and learn the adventure river sport. Our guests are often beginner rafters just like you. Many have never run a whitewater river but enjoy the outdoors and want to participate in an enjoyable and exciting rafting trip on the American River, Merced River, Kings River, or Tuolumne River.