A few years ago we took the kids on a raft trip, but it was called the family float, and they weren't kidding. We had one rapid and then it was just a float for a very long time.
This time around we wanted something just a bit more intense. We got it! We chose a group called Apex Raft Co. that operates out of the Regent hotel in Revelstoke. We got geared up in wet suits and socks, "experienced shoes", meaning shoes that had already been soaking wet. We also had fleece jackets and splash jackets. I thought this was all a bit excessive because we didn't even get wet on our last raft trip.
We went out in the bus and drove about 30 minutes, got off the bus and took some pictures. We got on the raft and away we went. About 3 minutes into the trip, I got a taste of what the trip was going to be like. We hit our fist rapid and we all got soaked! Not only were we dripping wet, but we were paddling like mad and the rapid was HUGE! Our guide, Paul, was really great. He encouraged the kids to paddle, he guided us in how to paddle and he also told us all about the river we were rafting. It's called the Illecillewaet River, and he told us all about the rivers coming into the river we were on and the mountain range we were flowing through. He was very well educated and amusing too. The have a thing, the guides, where they tell you about "Kid Island" and when we get there, we see it is just a rock and the guides try to throw one of the kids off the boat onto the "island". It was funny.
We floated along side the other group that was there that day, with their guide Corey. Corey encouraged the people in his raft to douse us with water, so they did. We got into a big water fight and my daughter got Corey right in the mouth with a ton of water when he was trying to talk. I was so proud of her! Corey did strike back and stole my son off our raft and into theirs! The guides know all the slow spots and make the trip more fun there by being a bit crazy. We did get my son back - he thought it was hilarious!
My 8 year old paddled for a little while, but my 12 year old paddled the entire trip. My 14 year old nephew has a habit of being a bit grouchy and he didn't say one bad thing the whole trip, and he paddled the whole trip too. I'm pretty sure he loved it just as much as the rest of us.
This was the best raft trip I have ever been on. It was full of "gnarly" rapids, I mean they were just amazing. I wasn't scared at any point, a bit afraid the kids would fall out, but they didn't, and after the first 20 minutes, I didn't even worry about that anymore. It really was an active trip, I had puddles in my sleeves, but my wet suit held up really well. My hair was wet, but we were lucky enough to have a nice hot day so we were warm for the most part.
I can't even explain how much I love to raft - I might one day just give up my life and become a raft guide. I wish every day could be that interesting. Life without adventure is just plain boring. If you haven't tried rafting yet - you have to at some point. I can't wait to get my husband out
there with us!
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