When
should I book?
What's the difference between Kumsheen and
other rafting companies?
How do I get to the river?
How do I choose the right rafting company?
When is the best time of year to go rafting?
What is the minimum age for rafters?
Do I have to be able to swim?
How many people are there per raft?
Is rafting safe?
What kind of clothes should be worn on the river?
What happens if it rains?
Can we bring tent trailers and recreational vehicles to the
campsite?
Are campfires allowed?
Is there a curfew in the camping area?
What about alcohol?
Is my pet welcome?
Is a baby sitting service available?
Which is better, Power or Paddle rafting?
When
should I book?To ensure
space on the date of your choice, book as early as
you
can. Some dates fill months in advance, others don't
fill at all.
Procrastinate and you may be disappointed. The earlier
you book the more likely you are to get the dates you
desire.
What's
the difference between Canadian Rockies Rafting and
other
rafting companies?We
run the same stretch of river as other rafting companies
but that
is where the similarities end. We are world class. Our
equipment is the finest on the river. We use 100% self
bailing
rafts that have been built to our specifications for
the rivers we run. Our staff members are friendly, experienced
and willing to answer your questions and concerns. We
offer opportunities to waterfight, cliff jump and swim
that no other company offers. Our service level is second
to none.
How do
I get to the river?If your
driving check out our Getting to Kumsheen page. Greyhound
Bus Lines has twice daily departures to Lytton. Ask
the
driver
to let you off at the Kumsheen Rafting Resort and you'll
arrive at our doorstep.
How do I choose the right rafting company?Kumsheen
Raft Adventures takes pride in its reputation as
one of the
world's leading outfitters. (check out www.riversearch.com)
From the finest resort facilities to the best safety
record, you'll go first class with Kumsheen. But
don't take our
word
for it; ask around. More people choose Kumsheen on
the Thompson & Fraser
Rivers than all our competitors combined. When is
the best time of year to go rafting?The
Thompson & Fraser feature very good rafting conditions
all season long. Our schedules and raft styles reflect
water flows. A
shortage of water is never a problem on these two large
rivers.
What is
the minimum age for rafters?On
our Thompson River power rafting packages the recommended
age
is ten years. Most importantly, children must weigh
at
least sixty pounds (27 kg.) For paddle rafting
and Fraser River
packages the minimum age is twelve years and minimum
weight is ninety pounds (40 kg.) Each Action Adventure
package has
a different minimum age, which can be easily determined
by clicking here.
Do I have
to be able to swim?All rafters
must wear specially designed whitewater lifejackets
which we provide. Swimming is mandatory on our
Paddle Rafting
excursions, but not essential for our Power Rafting
excursions.
How many
people are there per raft?Capacity
varies with the size and style of raft. Power Rafts:Maximum
17 or 22 people; Paddle Rafts: usually 12 people.
Is rafting
safe?We have
the best safety record of all Western Canadian
rafting companies; over 150,000 rafters have been
safely
guided down the Thompson
and Fraser Rivers by Kumsheen. Our river guides
are licensed by the BC Government and are trained
in
First Aid, River
Rescue,
and Kumsheen's special procedures and techniques.
What kind
of clothes should be worn on the river?Weather
conditions vary greatly from month to month and
river
attire varies accordingly. Power Rafting: bring
a bathing suit,
towel,
shorts, t-shirt, aqua socks, river sandals or running
shoes, wool socks, wool or polypropylene top, long
pants and rain
gear (we will provide rain coats if you have none).Paddle
Rafting: wear a bathing suit or shorts under the
farmer-john wetsuit that we provide. Add low-cut
running shoes
or river sandals, and on cool days a windbreaker
and wind
pants.
Do not wear cotton on the river.
What happens if it rains?River
rafting is fun in any type of weather provided
you dress properly. We go rain or shine - you'll
get
wet either
way. Keep in mind
the Thompson/Fraser region is semi-arid desert
and gets over 325 blue-sky days every year!
Can we bring tent trailers and recreational vehicles
to the campsite?What about
alcohol?Drinking
is not permitted before or while you are engaged
in an activity. Anyone who is drinking or appears
to be
intoxicated
before
the trip will be denied participation. Refunds
or alternates dates will not be given. Guests are
permitted
to bring
along alcoholic beverages for personal enjoyment
at their campsites
or the evening campfire. Responsible behavior is
expected from all our guests at all times, and
remember, rafting
is a lot more fun without a hangover.
Is my
pet welcome?Sorry,
pets are not permitted.
Is a baby
sitting service available?With advance
notice we can usually arrange baby sitting or daycare
service for young children.
Which
is better, Power or Paddle rafting?Which
style is "better?" Neither - they
simply are different. As a general rule we
recommend power rafts
for most first
time river runners on the Thompson. They are
our only option for the Fraser and for high
water on the Thompson because
they provide us with great stability, buoyancy,
and maneuverability.Power Rafting
These are pontoon rafts similar to the kind used
on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. They
consist of two
large inflatable
tubes joined together by a flexible metal frame
and wooden
floor. They are powered by an outboard motor.For
power rafting no experience is necessary and
you need
not be a
swimmer. Your role isn't strenuous but you are
required to hang on
to a hand line as the raft bucks wildly in the
big rapids. A guide controls the raft with an
outboard
motor (you
drift quietly in the calms.) Power rafting is
wetter than paddle,
and a few rapids can be run more than once.Minimum
age: 10 years.
Raft size - capacity: 22' - 17 guests; 28' -
22 guests.Paddle Rafting
Paddle rafts are smaller than power rafts
and you are required to work as a team in
order
to negotiate
the
rapids. Your
guide
calls paddle instructions and you assist the
team by paddling together. The ride is "smoother" compared
to power rafting, but generally results in
a strong sense
of accomplishment.Swimming
ability is essential. We reserve the right to
transfer your booking from paddle to power
rafting if required because
of
water conditions.Minimum
age: 12 years
Raft sizes: 18' & 20'
Capacity: 10-12 guests |