| A local group gets ready to ride the rapids. People of all ages can try their hand at river rafting this year with Carbon County Recreation. |
The romance of the river is something many of us are enticed by, but few actually experience. Carbon County is lucky to have both the Green River and the Colorado River in such close proximity as to make white water rafting, kayaking and flat water canoeing very accessible.
Even though many people express a desire to try these activities, they list multiple reasons they have not tried them. One of the reasons given is being afraid to get hurt or drown. Cost is another common reason. Lack of knowledge or equipment is also on the top of the list.
The good news is that right here in our very own community there is a program designed to get anyone who wants to on the river. This is either as a passenger on a fully supported trip or as a participant who is able to have a hands-on learning experience. For those who already know how to get themselves down the river, but do not have the equipment, that problem is solved with an extensive rental program as well.
Carbon County Recreation’s river program is just one of the many recreation opportunities that the rec offers. The program is not a river company, but an educational resource to try and teach the entire scope involved with river activities. Not only can a person learn to paddle a kayak and compete an Eskimo roll when they sign up for a kayak class, but enrollees are taught river etiquette, environmental issues and the history of the sport. The same for canoeing and white water rafting. Safety is first and foremost in the program with some of the best trained staff around.
A complete listing of the different programs is available at the Carbon Rec office in Price. You won’t find many scheduled trips listed because the program is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of the community. With as few as eight people you can schedule a trip down the Green River daily complete with guides. Six people are all that is required to put together your own family workshop that will teach you the basics of river running from loading the gear to getting down the river. A family kayaking workshop would include three sessions in the pool and a trip down the river.
If it is flat water and scenery you crave, the a three to five day canoe trip down Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River may be your cup of tea. The guides do most of the work for you and will entertain you with hikes and games of horseshoes in the evenings.
Rafts, canoes and kayaks are all there to be rented. Life jackets, throw ropes, bail buckets as well as coolers, tables, tents and sleeping bags can be rented to complete a trip. Each year the inventory gets more extensive. The rental program is the most used segment of the river program and everything is on a first come, first serve basis.
The river program has taken kids as young as four on the water as well as adults into their 80’s on their first trip. Young children should be evaluated for their ability to not panic if they fell in and to be able to sit relatively still for periods of time. If you have been yearning to give river running a try or your kids have expressed an interest just call or stop by the Carbon Rec offices to see the wide range of choices available.