Safety and Risk

Wild Water Adventures complies and exceeds industry standards. We comply with Transport Canada’s Canada Shipping Act “Special Purpose Vessel Regulations”. We comply with the recommendations laid out by the British Columbia River Outfitters Association (BCROA) and the special provisions established by the BC Registrar of Commercial Rafting currently managed by BCROA.

Critical to dealing with risk is having renowned guides and whitewater experts building on experience from more than thirty operational years on the Kicking Horse River. We require 3 to 5 years of guiding experience on Class 4 rivers before we consider hiring a new guide. All guides undergo rigorous training each year before our season starts. New guides are extended on their training before they are signed off as a BCROA guide and validation as a Wild Water guide under supervision of our Trip Leaders. All our guides hold current 1st Aid certification and current Swift Water Rescue Technician certification. Certification is not all we look for in hiring guides. They must be personable and good educators, show good judgement and have exceptional decision-making skills. We have strict hiring criteria and though many guides apply, not all are chosen.

We have the highest return rate of guides in all the companies on the river and that speaks to our diligent process of hiring and retaining skilled guides.

Wild Water Adventures is the only company on the Kicking Horse River that uses centre mount rowing frames and low profile 16’ rafts. Low profile rafts provide far greater splash factor, which is why we love to whitewater raft!! The centre frame gives the guide far more control and means that we only need 4 paddlers in the boat instead of the whole crew paddling. Too many paddles in a boat increases the chances of being hit by an enthusiastic guest’s paddle. 

All our guests are outfitted with wetsuits, booties, gloves, fleece sweaters, splash jackets, lifejackets, and helmets. All the gear is sanitized and dried at the end of each trip. 

Life jackets (Personal Flotation Device) are NRS high profile type V PFD with a flotation collar. They are Coast Guard certified and the best the industry has to offer.

Each trip carries safety gear as mandated by Transport Canada including a repair kit, spare gear, 1st Aid, oxygen and an AED. Each guide carries a rescue kit and VHF radio. 

Wild Water Adventures employs an equipment manager and safety gear is regularly inspected. 

The Kicking Horse River is a glacier fed river. This means at least two things. One is the water is COLD! (we refer to it as being refreshing). Secondly, the water levels fluctuate daily and throughout the summer. High and low water levels present different challenges through the season and we carefully monitor levels as part of our morning assessment. Flow rate and water depth change through the season and we have stringent guidelines to follow depending on water volume and speed. Our biggest water is typically in June during run off, but it can also be in May. In higher water we run a minimum of three rafts and will have a safety boat as well. 

Please pay attention to the minimum age and weight restrictions. If you are uncertain that your child meets the criteria, please call and ask us. This is critical for your child’s safety. Life jackets are made for certain weights and though it seems counter intuitive, a high volume (float) life jacket can hold a child in a rapid if the flotation is too high. As safety is our primary concern, children who look younger than the minimum age or under the minimum weight will be asked for proof of age and will be weighed at the River Base. If they don’t meet the minimums, they will not be allowed to raft. 

• Gentle Introduction to Whitewater: Minimum 8 years of age and 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
• Whitewater Exciter: Minimum 12 years of age and 90 pounds (41 kilograms)
• Tradition: Minimum 12 years of age and 90 pounds (41 kilograms)
• Maximum Horsepower: Minimum 16 years of age and 100 pounds (45 kilograms)

Communicating safety is a very important part of rafting. Please listen carefully in all the safety briefings and ask questions if things are not entirely clear for you. You will receive the first briefing during our introduction at the River Base. The guide on deck will introduce the crew and describe how to dress for the river. Once on the bus, you will receive a briefing on fitting and wearing the safety equipment. After getting off the bus, the guides will check your PFD and helmet for proper fit, followed by an overall river safety briefing from the Trip Leader. It doesn’t end there however! Once you are assigned to a boat, your guide will give you another briefing on what happens in the boat. On the river you will receive further training before the fun and excitement starts. Throughout the journey, your guide will be giving instructions on how to deal with the rapids and how to best stay in the boat. 

Please review the waiver of liability prior to booking with Wild Water and send the link to other members of your party if you are the one booking. Upon arrival at our River Base, our Guest Services Crew will give you a waiver briefing and assist you with the process of signing the waiver. All adults are required by our insurance company to read and agree to sign the waiver. Children under the age of 18 will need to have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver acknowledging that they understand the risks of whitewater rafting. See the waiver here. 

Safety is our priority on the river and we all depend on each other to be alert and tuned in to everyone’s safety and well being. We have a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. Any guest suspected of intoxication or impairment upon arrival will not be allowed to raft and their fare will NOT be refunded.