Are you the adventurous type that likes to hit the rapids on your own? Or do you prefer to take in the scenery while learning from the wisdom of a guide? No matter your preference there is one thing for sure, river rafting is awesome. And here is what five outdoor goers have to say.
Jan Wojtasinski
VP Marketing at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jan has worked in the adventure travel and tourism space for the last decade as a guide, instructor and consultant.
When it comes to a guided vs. non-guided river experience, it is all about what you are willing to put in and what you expect to get out. Personally – I love the planning, preparing, and adventure of a non-guided experience. Whether that is a 20+ day trip down the Grand Canyon, exploring half day runs in rural Ecuador, or just going out for an afternoon paddle – for me it’s worth the work and time spent on training and preparation.
When I speak to Nantahala Outdoor Center guests, most times I hear and see the opposite. Our guests value their time spent with family and friends on the river – not the logistics that get them there. They overwhelmingly rate their guide as one of the best portions of their experience. From a focus on risk management, to local knowledge and fun facts about the natural components of the river, their guides deliver above and beyond what just the river can provide. It’s the personal connection, and professionalism, that consistently rank our guided trips with higher satisfaction ratings than their non-guided counterparts.
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- Un-guided trips leave you missing some of the best hidden treasures of the river canyon. Going with guides who have the knowledge and interpretation skills can leave you with a far greater appreciation for the river you are floating [on] and allow you to peek into all the best side-canyons and hiking highlights. Guides can also point out the safest ascents over a side canyon waterfall, the location of hidden pictographs, the geologic history of a canyon wall and other nature interpretation you’d need many years to amass (or one darn good guidebook)!
- Un-guided trips can be exhausting! Having to row yourself in the energy-draining sun all day and then once you hit camp sometime in the afternoon be expected to not only set up your camp but cook and clean up everything? Why not let guides do it?! They are trained and typically, being so used to life in the canyon, will not only have the stamina but efficiency to make all the hard-labor much lighter work, leaving everyone having a more relaxing vacation.
Zachary Collier
Owner of Northwest Rafting Company, Zach Collier combines international guiding experience in places like Siberia, Bhutan, and Chile with a natural business acumen for systems and logistics.
There are some distinct advantages to non-guided rafting trips. When you’re on your own, you can choose your own schedule and exactly who you are rafting with. It also costs quite a bit less if you have the skills and equipment to go rafting on your own.
When you go on a guided trip you lose some flexibility, and the cost will typically be much higher. You do get a lot in return. First of all guided trips have detailed emergency and evacuation plans as well as insurance. Guides are typically highly trained in safety, first aid, and swift water rescue. If safety is important to you then a guided trip is probably the way to go.
Beyond safety, when you go on a guided trip they provide all the necessary equipment and transportation. If you don’t already have these things, renting can be expensive and time consuming. Some rivers require permits that can be quite challenging to obtain, and guided trips have already obtained the required permits. Finally, leadership is an important consideration. If you have a hard time organizing your friends then going on a professionally guided trip is a great way to work with experienced leaders that can organize everyone efficiently and set important safety boundaries.
David Rack
David Rack has dedicated his life to bringing awareness to the importance of the swamps, rivers and bayous using eco-tourism and his enjoyment of entrepreneurship.
The con of a non-guided kayak trip in a bayou (a marshy outlet of a lake or river) is that you might get lost. There are so many pathways, it is quite easy to forget which way you were going or coming from. With no cell reception, your Google maps won’t work, and you would have to rely on your internal navigational compass.
With a guided kayak tour, your guide has paddled that area hundreds if not thousands of times and could probably get back with a blindfold, so there is a good chance you won’t be getting lost.
Mike Sheety
Director at thatshirt.com
