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Conquering Your White Water Fears

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White Water River Rafting 

Brush Those Fears Away With a Few Great Tips

 

Preparing to go down the river for the very first time brings forth a range of emotions. Fear of the rapids, confusion of what to bring or wear, anxiety of a new experience, or just terrifying in general. Almost every person feels this way at the beginning, but their feelings quickly alter after being out on the water for just a day. What once was a fear becomes a craving for more of that thrill and excitement. Don’t let the fears behind white water rafting stop you from an amazing experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help wash those fears away.

  • Schedule that river trip!

Taking the chance to go out on that white water river trip is the first step. If you are hesitant about how you are going to go, don’t worry, no extra skills are needed for rafting. All you need to do is enjoy the ride. Day trips are a great start as well to get your feet a little wet. We have a spectacular one day Utah rafting trip on the Green River perfect for a first timer. Not so hesitant, check out our our phenomenal 4 and 5 day trips through Dinosaur National Monument. 

  • Just Breathe

Seeing a rapid coming your way could be quite the frightening view. Taking deep breaths and going to a “happy place” gets the nerves out quickly. Inhale the calming river vibes and exhaling the anxiety. After that first rapid gets you wet you will be ready and anticipating more.

  • Trust your guide.

Your river guide will do their best to navigate the swift river currents as safely as possible. These women and men are trained in both guiding, first aid and different swift water rescue procedures. The river can be unpredictable, your guides are ready for whatever the white water has to throw at them. You are in good hands.

  • Have some fun!

Have a water fight, make a joke, or sing a song. Getting into a good mood and having some fun will get your mind off of the negative thoughts. If you are planning on not getting wet, well that is inevitable, so get ready for some waves coming your way. Getting a little splashed only makes for a better ride and a lot more fun!

Conquering Your White Water Fears

  • Do some research.

The internet is full of great advice on all aspects of white water rafting. There are a lot of great blogs and websites that will help guide you in the right direction. Calling a rafting company and asking questions is also a great way to get good information. Try the locally owned outfitters first for the area you are thinking about trying out a river trip. They will have the best up to date first hand knowledge of the regions river and conditions. Dinosaur River Expeditions is Vernal, Utah’s only locally owned and operated rafting outfitter. Looking for a trip in this region we are the ones to call.

Getting several different perspectives helps ease some of the worries that are brought to new rafters. Feeling more prepared physically and mentally is a great way to make the fears go away. Before each trip a safety talk is also provided for the customers and crew. Listening and paying attention to that talk as well as any other instructions will keep you ready at all times. 

Conquer your white water rafting fears and go on that river rafting trip! The experience is beyond words and addicting. Once you get past those fears and negative thoughts, the beautiful canyon and river will become a sanctuary. It provides an outlet from the busy world and daily life stresses. Being disconnected from phones and electronics creates time to self reflect and grow closer to nature. Don’t let fear stop you from the experiences that white water rafting gives. It brings peace and happiness to all that come into contact go rafting and splash those fears away!

5 Great Restaurants After Your Utah Rafting Trip

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So you just came off an excursion down one of Utah’s gorgeous rivers. You’ve had camp meals for the past several days. Or maybe just a deli lunch on a day float. Maybe even just a granola bar and some trail mix. Yes, you may have been exposed to sun, wind, possibly even rain I could imagine. You’ve packed and unpacked a boat numerous times, even if it was just this morning and just this evening. Anyway you cut it, you’ve likely worked up an appetite – and not an appetite to do more work. You’re returning to civilization, and while that may be hard it certainly comes with some perks. Perks like near limitless meal options, and someone else preparing the food for you to boot. The only hard part of this equation is where to eat?

 

Dinosaur Brewhaus

If you’re coming out of Dinosaur National Monument after a 4 or 5 day trip on the Green River Gates of Lodore or Yampa River, Vernal Utah boasts several great spots to sate your hunger. One simply shouldn’t leave Vernal without trying out the Dinosaur Brewhaus. It’s simple pub fair, but has a down-home and delicious taste, with complimentary peanuts while you wait, and a variety of Utah beers on hand. They’re used to their fare share of river runners, so come in whatever condition you leave the boat ramp in! 

 

Sabaku Sushi

Say you’re enjoying the day float in Moab, or coming off the monstrous waves of Cataract canyon, Moab is well equipped to meet your gastronomic desires. The unbeatable Sabaku Sushi serves up incredible options from our river running friend and amazing chef Alex Borichevsky. Not only does he know great river running he serves up delectable fresh sushi offerings. This is a Moab favorite.

 

Vernal Brewing Company

Maybe you just finished up a classic Utah 1 day Flaming Gorge Green River trip and are looking for a little more flare to your evening meal. For more variety and atmosphere, the Vernal Brewing Company is top notch. They boast a wide selection of entrees and of course have their locally brewed beer on tap. Try the Little Hole Lager or the local favorite the 50 Caliber IPA, and other craft and domestic beers as well. The brewing operation is a sight to behold, but if you’re hoping for a tour I’d recommend cleaning up a tad before asking about a table.

 

Ray’s Tavern

Coming off of a Desolation Canyon/Grays river trip, you end up in the small town of Green River Utah. Good bang for your buck is Ray’s Tavern, a quaint little eatery that’s got its roots in the river running community. Enjoy burgers and sandwiches all the while marveling at some amazing shots of whitewater from the sports’ long and storied history.

 

Taggart’s Grill

Paddling out of Park City will likely put you on the Weber River, a calm stretch of water that runs along train tracks and highway 84. Raft, kayak, or tube this river (pick up your trash!) and enjoy the Taggart’s Grill at the take out. Taggart’s Grill offers exquisitely crafted sandwiches, soups, and pizzas. They’re in house desserts – like their carrot cake – are out of this world, and their beer selection isn’t too bad to boot. Just remember, no shirt, no shoes, no service.

 

 

Rafting Myth’s

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If you type “whitewater rafting” into You Tube, any number of videos of monstrous haystack waves and major paddle raft carnage will probably show up. The top 10 searches usually contain a paddle raft with eight people being absolutely annihilated, or a single boatman, one moment gripping the oars and in the next completely washed away. While this sort of whitewater rafting asks for a somewhat fearless mindset and an aptitude in body and mind, it is by no means the rule of a rafting trip.

In actuality, a river trip is the perfect setting for people of all ability levels. No really. Here, let me walk you through it. Say it’s a family reunion. Grandma and grandpa, a smattering of nieces and nephews ranging in age from five to starting college, your brother – an avid fly fisherman – and his wife, more the urban socialite than the outdoorsy type. Grandma and grandpa can enjoy the serenity of the water and take in the stunning sights all from the comfort and ease of a stable raft – no paddling on their part required. Little Sally and the younger children can jump in and out of the water, collect sand from every beach on every part of them, while the older kids can challenge themselves on the side hikes and – guides allowing – take on the rapids in inflatable kayaks or even try the hands at the oars (again, guides allowing). Finally, at camp, your sister-in-law can enjoy an iced beverage (no joke) and a warm gourmet meal with a side salad (again, no kidding) and brother bill can fish from the bank to his hearts content.

Still skeptical? Maybe you’re worried about something else. Perhaps you’re thinking your guide will be some craggy bearded man, a beer or cigarette a constant fixture in his hand? Think again. These days your typical guide is much harder to pin down. Some are music teachers, others are college students of one discipline or another. Sure, there’s plenty of ski patrollers and ski bums who make rafting their summer job, but they are by no means all dudes. Girls are guides, and serious fan favorites – just ask little Sally or grandma and grandpa.

Still worried? Worried, perhaps, that you won’t be able to bring that absolute necessity? Won’t be able to pack all the clothing to stay warm, dry, cool, and stay fashionable? Let me assure you, your worries are in vain. A rafting trip is like car camping without the crowds, the noisy cramped campsites, or the wet dogs or bored children in the car. Camp has nearly all the amenities of home, even the kitchen sink (no seriously). Granted, the toilets may not flush, but they have the best views of any water closet you’ll ever use. So throw that sports coat or sleek black dress in a waterproof bag (provided by your outfitter) and enjoy a cocktail on a remote river beach.

A river rafting trip whether it is a one day Utah river rafting excursion on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam or a multi day adventure rafting Colorado’s world famous Yampa River or Green River Gates of Lodore is an absolute treat. A vacation of a lifetime and something the whole family will remember and want to do again and again each summer.

We offer Utah one day rafting trips on the Green River from Vernal, Utah. Also 4 and 5 day Colorado rafting trips on the Yampa River and Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. Debunk the myth’s and come raft Colorado and Utah with us today.

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