Whitewater Rafting on the Royal Gorge: Like Riding a Horse.
Have you ever taken a whitewater rafting trip? I did ...onc. We were on the Snake River in Jackson Hole Wyoming 25 years ago. I vowed to never do it again. I was in the air more than I was in the boat and breathing water most of the trip. I was so scared when I got off the boat at the end that my legs were cramped to the point that I could barely walk. Who calls this fun? NEVER again I said.
Never say never....
25 years later, my family came to visit for the first time and they wanted to go whitewater rafting. After smugly saying no way, I suddenly changed my mind. If my 16 year old neice, Siri, could do it, so could I. It was either a senior moment or the old gal still has a bit of gumption in her...the verdict is still out on that one.
I chose the location. The Arkansas River offers world class whitewater in several locations and the Royal Gorge was one of them with several class 4 waves. I decided that if we were going to do it, we might as well get the most class 4 waves in one trip as we could.... (but why???). We scheduled a trip with one of the many rafting companies and headed out.
The guide, Evan, was calm, funny and told us exactly why he would give us the rowing commands and under what conditions. I thought... "this can't be that bad".....
Sure enough, during the first 2 sets of class 4 waves, I fell into the boat (luckily INTO the boat) but nobody else did. Waterlogged, I crawled back to my seat, frustrated and scared. We just got started. What was I doing wrong?
A flash of my horse, Rio came to mind and how cantering with him became easy once I relaxed my core and moved with him. Would it work on a whitewater raft?
The side of the raft became my saddle and I planted firm. My upper body became supple and moved with the water. I felt like I could fly. I couldn't quite laughing. The fear was gone.
The new boats self drain quickly so water up to my knees was gone in just a couple of seconds, adding to my newfound ease (after almost drowning twice, my respect of water borders on and dips into just plain fear).
At times, the waves were so high that I could not see my brother Dan and son Taylor in the front of the boat. Everyone worked together.
In the moments between the whitewater, we spent enjoying the jaw-dropping beauty of the Royal Gorge. For me, rafting will be an annual event when family comes. I am eager to go again and recommend the experience to others.
And, for all you horse men and women... just ride. Sink into that saddle and flow with the boat just like you do on your horse in a good gallop. Wheeeee!
The video below is an example of a portion of the Royal Gorge Rafting trip we took. Enjoy!
Richie, thanks for dropping by. I love your motto. First people then business. and ......the play right? Most excellent is exactly what i would say to whitewater rafting as well.
Sure enough, during the first 2 sets of class 4 waves, I fell into the boat (luckily INTO the boat) but nobody else did. Waterlogged, I crawled back to my seat, frustrated and scared. We just got started. What was I doing wrong? 
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