If you’re looking for a magical and memorable family vacation, river rafting has you set! Imagine basking in the sun, taking in the beauty of the outdoors, and connecting as a family over lots of laughter. White Water Rafting creates a fun atmosphere for the whole family, but requires some planning ahead to make sure everyone is safe on the river! Hydra River Guides encourages you to read through the following tips to help you prepare for your trip.
Check Age and Weight Restrictions
Most rafting companies will have age or weight restrictions for guests that are going on a rafting trip. These regulations are in place to ensure that your child is physically capable of handling being on the river, as well as able to understand and follow safety rules. Our Mild Trip is ideal for those with kids over 6 years old and weighing over 50 lbs. Our Classic (and most popular) Trip is appropriate for people 12 years and older.
Ask about the Difficulty of the Trip
During our Mild Trip, all rafters meet at site at 9:15 am. The group starts their whitewater rafting experience together, in one raft, traveling the gentle section of the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the mild section, the children under 12 yrs of age (or under 90lbs) and one adult will get out of the boat and return to our river site. The remaining group members over 12 yrs of age can continue onto the bigger rapids of the Kicking Horse Classic trip. The remaining group members will then return to the Hydra river site and the group can enjoy lunch together.
Explain to Your Kids What They Can Expect
When you book a rafting trip, it's important that any children joining you know what they are getting into. To prevent any unexpected surprises or unpleasant experiences, it’s best to let children know that they will get splashed, that the water will be cold and the ride may be a little bumpy at times because of the nature of the river. Even though most kids love rafting once on the river, you may have to alleviate a few fears your child has about the thought of being on the water.
Lay Down the Rules Before Problems Happen
Along with discussing with your kids what they can anticipate while rafting, we also recommend further ensuring everyone’s safety by setting out a few basic rules before you head out for your trip. Our team will always to do our best to make everyone comfortable, but we greatly appreciate assistance in establishing how important it is that everyone on the raft follows the guide’s rules. By setting the right expectations you minimize the risk involved for your family on the river. Our safety experts will make sure you’re equipped with everything you need to succeed equipment and experience wise, and we hope that you’ll join us in making your little ones’ adventure as safe as possible!
Avoid Bringing Technology on the Trip
Even though you might be tempted to bring along technology to entertain your children during downtime, we ask that you please avoid carrying phones or tablets. We’ll be on the water for most of the day, and unfortunately technology and moisture just don’t mix! To avoid any unnecessary damages and tears, it’s best to leave your tech behind. This trip is also the perfect time to unplug and encourage both the kids and mom and dad to enjoy nature firsthand and play games that don’t involve a screen. Besides, you’ll be so busy having fun that you won’t want anything to distract you from the adventure at hand!
Make your next vacation a family bonding experience that gets everyone out in nature, unplugged from electronics, and connected to each other! Call Hydra River Guides today at 1 (800) 644-8888, or send us an e-mail at [email protected]