Safety Information

While we do everything in our power to make your trip as safe as possible, please be aware that all whitewater sport involves an element of risk which increases with the difficulty rating of the rapids. Guests must be prepared to assist in their own rescue in the event of an unexpected swim.

You do not have to be able to swim to go on our trips. However, it is important to understand that the risk is higher for non-swimmers. Emergency procedures are fully explained at the beginning of the trip. Our trips require varying degrees of fitness, so you must consider the mental and physical capacities of your group when choosing a trip. We are happy to discuss this with you, and do our best to make sure every client books a trip appropriate for their capacity.

Every guest is required to sign a liability release and acknowledgment of risk form. Click here to download our form (8KB pdf). If you have minors on the trip unaccompanied by their parents, you may wish to have the parents sign on their behalf before you leave home. Click here to download the minor liability release form (8KB pdf).

All rafters are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on the river. We provide top-quality Class V life jackets in a variety of sizes up to a 60" chest. Helmets are mandatory on Class 4 trips (the Taos Box and the Lower Gorge/Racecourse at high water), and for funyakers. Helmets are optional on other trips, and are offered to all rafters before the trip begins.

A comprehensive safety lecture is given to all rafters before the trip begins. Please pay close attention: this stuff is important! If there's anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask the guide to explain it again.

At the time of booking, you will be asked if everyone in your party is in good physical condition. If you have any physical challenges, including difficulty seeing or hearing, you must inform us (issues like these do not disqualify you from rafting). If you use a companion dog, you must inform us of this at the time of booking. Companion dogs must be fully trained and wearing appropriate harness and a canine flotation device (we do not provide these). Customers who require companion dogs are not suitable candidates for all our trips.
 

Weather Policy

Early and late season trips (March-April, October-November) are weather-dependent. We look for a minimum predicted high of 50 degrees F, and no high winds or other unpleasant weather. Weather forecasts for northern New Mexico are often inaccurate, so we wait until the evening before the trip to make the call. If we cancel because of weather, you receive a full refund. If you're booking an early or late season trip, it helps if you can be flexible about which day you go. Typically most days in those months are suitable for rafting; a storm will blow in and then the next day it may well be back in the 60s.