Kayaking with Canyons
Canyons is unique in a multitude of ways. One that stands out in particular is the strong kayaking culture that has been a centerpiece of Canyons since its inception in 1985. In the wide world of commercial river rafting, the status quo is to put all the guests in a raft (or if they’re really lucky, a dory) that is guided by a trained, professional guide. At Canyons, however, we cater to whitewater boaters of all types: those who kayak, canoe, row their own rafts, or even those who have no prior whitewater experience but are eager to hop in an inflatable kayak (i.e., ducky) or on a stand-up paddle board.
Ask almost any guide on any river in the industry, and they would tell you that the thought of putting guests in their own boats on a multi-day, class III-IV wilderness trip would stress them out to no end. It is far easier to simply pile all the guests into a few rafts and not be concerned with teaching them how to paddle, how to read whitewater, how to communicate with other boaters, how to self-rescue in the event of a swim, etc. But at Canyons, we’ve never been about doing things a certain way just because it’s “easier” – we’re about providing the most fulfilling, rewarding, and empowering experiences possible on the river.
Make no mistake: being a guide who is responsible for guests in their own boats – as opposed to your own – is exponentially more challenging and complex. You’re no longer just navigating your own craft down the river; you’re managing a multitude of boaters who span a wide spectrum of ability, experience, and confidence levels, offering them tips to improve their whitewater skills, providing valuable information about the rapids, and – inevitably – executing countless rescues when then fall out of their boats and go for an unexpected swim. It’s what separates your Canyons guides from the rest of the pack.
I speak from personal experience when I say that as a guide, there is nothing more rewarding than facilitating the opportunity for a guest to paddle or row their own craft down the Middle Fork or Main Salmon. Many of the guests we take down the river with us have dreamed of navigating these magic waters for years, or even decades. To play a part in turning that dream into reality – to bring it to fruition – is truly special, and I am grateful for this opportunity on every Canyons trip.
Nicky Gallo
