Summer Rafting Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a list of some of the questions most frequently asked of us. The questions and answers below refer to our summer raft trip. Many of these questions and their answers apply to our other trips, but you should contact us if you are not sure if the answers here apply directly to your situation.

1. Is it safe? (Closely related to: "Have you ever lost anyone?")
Whitewater rafting is an activity that has inherent risks that can not be eliminated without changing the unique character of the activity. Sheltowee Trace Outfitters does many things to help mitigate those risks. We use excellent equipment and all of our guides are First Aid and CPR certified. We stress safety from the time the reservation is made. The release form that must be signed by all participants contains safety information. Every rafter watches a safety video. The trip leader gives a safety presentation before the trip. We take safety very seriously and we expect you to take it seriously as well. This includes not drinking alcohol before a trip, and paying attention to the safety information provided. In fact, there are times that our paddlers are inconvenienced because of our concerns for safety. For this we are sorry, but if we ever have a choice between losing a customer at the cash register or on the river, we will choose to lose them at the register every time.

2. How do I make a reservation?
We try to make the process as quick and painless as possible. First, you need to decide on a date that you would like to go (and perhaps a second date in case the first is already filled). Second, you need to know how many people will be going. Third, contact us via the reservation request page, via this the e-mail us page, or call us (1-800-541-7238). If there is space available on your chosen date, we will take the reservation, and make arrangements for you to send in the 50% non-refundable deposit (see The Fine Print page for details regarding reservations and cancellations). That′s it. Our reservationists will answer any questions that you may have regarding details of the trip. If they don′t know the answer, they will find out for you.

3. Are the rapids like the movie "The River Wild"?
No. Those rapids make for a good movie; our rapids make a great family/beginner raft trip. Remember, our summer raft trip is a Class III trip and geared to having a good time, not scaring someone half to death. The rapids are short and there is a pool of slow moving water below most rapids. If you do fall out of the boat, we usually just pull you back in the raft, and go up for more! This answer usually brings up the next question: "Does that mean that I′ll get wet?" See Question #4 below.

4. Will I get wet?
Many people worry about whether they will get wet. Let us put your worries to rest on this one. YES, you will get wet. On our summer trip, we have a tendency to play hard. Even if your raft does not flip, the rapids will get you wet, and if that doesn′t work, someone in another raft will almost certainly splash you! In addition, all of our rafts are self-bailing which means that your feet will be wet all day. In short, dress to get wet and you will be well prepared.

5. What do I wear? What do I bring? (Closely related to: Can I bring _______? and What about wet suits?)
During the summer, shorts and a T-shirt are all that are recommended. The Cumberland River (our summer raft trip) is a natural-flow river (as opposed to a dam- controlled river) and the water temperature during the summer is quite warm-similar to an unheated outdoor pool. Wet suits are not recommended for our summer trips.

As far as the "Can I bring _____" question, click here to see our complete discussion of "What can I bring" answers. The following is a short list of things to bring. Note that all but the last two items are available in our retail store.

• Shorts/T-shirt
• Glass straps if you have glasses
• Shoes that will stay on your feet (tie, strap, buckle or velcro) and can stay wet (no flip-flops, clogs or crocs)
• Sun block
• Change of clothes to leave in the car for after the trip
• Good attitude to maximize enjoyment

Everything else just makes the raft more cluttered and more likely to hit someone in the raft should it flip over.

6. How many people fit in a raft?
On our summer raft trip, 6 people plus a guide fit in each raft. We can (sometimes) fit more in a raft if there are (very) small children in the raft, but we generally try to avoid it if possible. If you have some special circumstances that you would like to discuss, e-mail us or call us at 1-800-541-7238.

7. How long is the trip?
Our summer raft trip is an all-day trip (approximately 6-7 hours). Don′t worry, you are not on the river that entire time (but it is long enough ensure that the kids will sleep well later that evening!) The first hour or so is spent signing release forms, paying the balance of the trip, watching a safety video and outfitting everyone for the river. The next 3 hours are spent playing in the rapids. The tow-out generally takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the last 30 minutes is spent driving back to the outfitters where you first began the day's adventure.

8. Can non-swimmers go?
The most important question we ask non-swimmers is "Will you panic if your face gets wet or goes underwater?". We have had many non-swimmers raft with us and almost all of them had a great time. However, they must not panic when their face gets wet. Remember that you are wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device, a.k.a. life jacket) at all times during the rafting portion of the trip, and that it will float you. If you think you may panic, it is probably better that you not go on the raft trip. We recommend that you take the Lunch Cruise Option and meet the rest of your party as they board the Cumberland Star River Boat.

9. What about glasses/contacts?
If you wear glasses, we strongly recommend using some sort of glass strap. We sell a number of types in our retail store (starting at $1.50), you can bring one from home, or even use a shoe lace (not very pretty, but inexpensive and effective). Those with contacts should use precautions similar to if you were going to a pool. If you have trouble with losing contacts in a pool, then you should probably consider going with glasses and a strap instead.

10. What about rain/thunderstorms?
We run all of our trips rain or shine - you are going to get wet anyway (see Question #4 above). In this area, storms that generate lightning pass very quickly and we just wait it out (usually 10-15 minutes or less) - whether on the river or getting ready to start. Also remember that you are paddling in a river valley, so there are lots of places above the river for the lightning to strike. We desperately wish that we could control the weather for you, and we put our order in early every year, but sometimes it does rain during the raft trip. Just remember, without the rain, there would be no water in the river!

11. Can we smoke in the rafts?/Can we get a non-smoking raft?
Our new smoking policy (implemented in 2009) for our rafting trips is as follows: Smoking is allowed on the rafting trip, but not in the boats themselves. You may smoke while floating in the river or by the side of the river (during breaks). Our guides will show you where the 'smoking area' is for any given break. Cigarettes must be 'field-dressed' after smoking and the butts carried off the river. Please put used butts in a container or sealable pocket where they will not end up floating down the river in the event of a swim!!

12. How will repairs to Wolf Creek Dam on Lake Cumberland affect my trip?
We have dedicated an entire page to this question. Please click here for further information.

Sheltowee Trace Outfitters P.O. Box 1060 Whitley City, KY 42653 1-800-541-RAFT (7238) fax: 1-866-FAX-RAFT (866-329-7238) e-mail: funky-rafting.com www.ky-rafting.com