Hi. I've been trying to get info on experiences with a particular rafting company, but now I'm just wishing I could get some feedback from anyone who has gone white water rafting. We've made reservations for the Salt River next month, and I would love to hear someone's experiences with rafting (hopefully positive) because my family wants to go but are a little concerned, too. Hope to hear from someone! Thanks

You post is vague--where is salt river?
You will get more replies if you change your question to more place specific.

Jan, I can't help you on your specific location but I have been white water rafting three times (Maine, Alaska and Utah) and it's loads of fun. I will warn you that it's not a Disney ride...it can be dangerous! Don't ever think it's totally safe, but a well run rafting company will do everything it can to make it so. Unfortunately, a friend of a friend died on a Maine trip...I'm not sure if he had a heart attack or a head injury. The worst experience for me was in Utah when my husband was in a "ducky" which is a blow up kayak that some rafting companies take along. He hit a whirlpool and went under one of the larger rafts! He was being sucked up into the raft and couldn't get free. Fortunately he'd had lots of river experience in college and was able to maneuver out from under. A less experienced (or weaker) person may not have been as lucky. He didn't tell me how much danger he was in until we were back at our hotel...he said he was really close to drowning. Also, I think he mentioned that the life preserver he was wearing was not adequate for him in his situation. Something to conside. I stayed in the larger raft with the guide the whole trip and had a great time. So, have fun, but remember it's real, not a safe amusement park ride.

How old are the people in your family? What class river are you considering? What research have you done about the rafting company?

Sorry for not being more specific. We're staying in Phoenix, rafting on the Salt River, two and a half hours from there, with Far Flung Adventures. It's my husband, myself, and our sons who are 15 and 17. I understand we'll be in a paddle boat where everyone participates. It's a class III river.

My oldest son is graduating and will be majoring in environmental-type studies and loves all outdoor activities. We also plan on taking a jeep tour through the desert. Anybody have any other ideas or input for us? Thank you very much.

I have gone white water rafting a few times over the last 10-15 years ...
Enima River (Colorado) - I think this was a Class 2/3 with a guide on each raft with double oars for steering; we only had to paddle through the rapids. (It was nice scenery but not really exciting.)
Black River (Watertown, NY)- I think this was a Class 3/4 with a guide on each raft paddling; we also wore helmets.
Lehigh River (Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania) - Class 3/4; This was many years ago and at that time the guides went alongside the group in kayaks; there was not a guide in each raft.
Youckeheny River (?spelling) in western Pennsylvania - Class 4/5; very challenging because of the amount of maneuvering that had to be done in the rapids around rocks. Also, at that time the guides went along in kayaks; there was not a guide in each raft.

I would recommending finding out the class of river. Class 5 is definitely very challenging and can be scary if this is someone's first time. (We ran these rivers in late spring when the water was high and fast.) You should feel comfortable around water and a confident swimming. It often happens that someone falls out of the raft in the rapids. You need to be able to keep your head and not panic, especially in higher class rapids.

Given that ... if this is a family outing, you may want to stick to Class 2/3 (defintitely no more than Class 4). I think it is more common today for a guide to go in each raft (but I'm not sure). Personnally, I would not go rafting again without a guide in each raft. When you are going through rapids you need to be able to maneuver the raft. They will give you instruction, but the guides have experience and will tell you how to paddle as you are going through the rapids. The lack of a guide was a problem for us doing the Class 5. There were four of us in the raft and sometimes we disagreed on how we should be paddling to keep control of the raft ... this can can tension for something that should be fun.

Also, make sure that you are provided with helmets. Depending on the time of year and water temperatures, you may need a wet suit (although in Arizona it may be warm enough without one next month). If you don't wear a wetsuit, dress in clothes that you will be comfortable in wet. Avoid cotton; nylon type shorts are good with a bathing suit underneath. Tee-shirts should be of synthetic material that dries quickly.

I hope this helps. It is a fun experience that I would definitely do again given the right circumstances.