Booking a rafting
trip with the right company could make or break a great experience
In this day and age we are always
trying to make our money last a little longer. There are some areas where
saving a few extra dollars could cost you lots in the long run.
As a raft guide that has travelled and
worked around the world, I thought I could share a few moments to give you a
heads up and a few handy hints to follow when booking a trip.
The most important questions you should
ask yourself are:
- What kind of rafting trip am
I looking for?
- Do I want an easy, relaxing
trip or more challenging whitewater?
- Does this trip match my expectations?
Pre
trip research
When purchasing or booking anything
nowadays we research our purchase online beforehand. Booking for a rafting trip
should be the same. Websites such as Tripadvisor provide a great place to start
your research but let’s all be aware of the happy clappers & trolls when
reading through comments.
“Fantastic experience”
Reviewed
August 4, 2014
This
is a must do when in Queenstown. Professional company with great equipment.
Guides are extremely knowledgeable and along with the beautiful surroundings,
they point out interesting landmarks as you raft down the river. Chief our
guide was both funny and concerned for our safety. My self and my partner had a
great time rafting and would recommend it for anyone going to Queenstown.
Visited July 2014
The comment above is brief and to the point. When
reading through comments, notes about the ease of booking and pre trip
information are big clues as to the quality of the company. Rafting
companies that take the time to reply to reviews normally care about the
service they offer their customers and are generally good companies.
The company’s own website should be able to give
you a clear outline of the quality of their operation. A quick browse
through the site will be able to give you a few clear indicators.
From each trip you will need to get at least the
following details:
- Classification of the white
water on the trip
- Trip distance & time
length
- Transport, food &
accommodation
- Departure dates
- Cost
Take the time to also have a look in detail at the
following finer points.
Guides
Every rafting company proudly boasts to have some
of the best guides in the world. This is a bold statement to make; what makes a
raft guide the best guide in the world?
A mixture of international experience and a solid
training background will normally put you in capable hands. Look for the
following qualifications:
Any guide holding an IRF qualification will have
been trained to an internationally recognised standard.
Any guide holding a trip leader award will have
been trained to a high standard including their handling of an emergency
scenario.
All current IRF qualified guides must possess a
current first aid qualification in order for their IRF award to be valid.
Any guide qualifications can be checked here via
the IRF online register.
Rescue 3 training sets the world standard in swift
water & white water rescue training. A guide holding a Rescue 3
certificate will have attended an in-depth training course based on safety
& rescue in a river environment.
First Aid
All guides must have a first aid certificate as a
minimum. Outdoor specific first aid qualifications are a bonus.
Wilderness first responders (WFR), EMT & Advanced wilderness medicine are
adequate certificates for those venturing out onto multiday trips.
Companies that invest in the training &
development of their guide team will benefit from this training.
Photo gallery
A few moments in the photo gallery should give you
a few ideas to the quality of the company. Pictures of rafts flipping and
general carnage may mean the trips are focussed on flipping & swimming.
These types of trips normally attract gung ho style guides & customers.
Make your own decisions!
Pictures showing smiley faces in rafts,
professional looking guides in control of their raft will give a much more
professional feeling of the company.
Take a look at the quality of the equipment the
company is using. Quality maintained professional rafts are a must along with
helmets & personal floatation devices. If you are rafting on cold water
will wetsuits or dry suits be provided? Steer well away from any companies that
do not provide you with certified equipment.
The main certifications you need to look at are:
CE 95 for Europe and the US coastguard for the
States and the Americas.
Professional companies will constantly be renewing
their kit.
The age old saying that a picture paints a thousand
words should come to the forefront of your mind when viewing the gallery.
The booking office
The first part of your rafting experience starts
with the sales or booking office. Always try to book direct with the raft
company. Agents are actively after their commission at the end of the day and
will tell you anything to get their hands on your cash.
Have a good look around the office and get a feel
for the place. If you feel uncomfortable in the office this should be a sign of
things to come.
Don’t be afraid to ask the most simple of
questions. If these questions cannot honestly be answered, consider another
company.
Ask questions about transport to and from the
river, security of personal articles, first aid provisions, dietary
requirements.
Likewise responsible companies need to ask you the
2 big important questions:
1 Can you swim?
If you are going on a rafting trip, yes, you need
to be able to swim or have basic water confidence.
2 Medical fitness
Any professional company will want to take care of
you to the best of their ability. Please do tell the company of any pre
existing medical conditions you may have prior to the trip starting. A
responsible company will be able to help you more efficiently if they are made
aware of any problems beforehand. Also take good look at your travel insurance
to see what you are covered for whilst participating on a rafting trip.
In my personal opinion walk away from any company
that fails to ask you these questions at the time of booking either verbally or
on a booking form.
All companies should also remind you at the time of
booking that being under the influence of alcohol & drugs will not be
tolerated on trips.
Conclusion
Take the time to read through the companies’
cancellation procedure again. If this is not readily available, little red
flags should start to pop up in your head.
Just by reading through the points above hopefully
you will now have a better idea about pre booking your trip. Remember to only
part with your hard earned cash once you are 100% happy with the chosen
company.
Happy Paddling,
Mark
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