Is white water rafting safe?

White water rafting is safe, but there are inherent risks on every trip. Your risk on a rafting trip goes up as you get into higher class rapids such as class V.

Do I have to have experience to go rafting?

Not at all! While some trips are more physically demanding than others and require a moderate to high physical fitness level, they do not necessarily require any previous whitewater rafting experience. Just because you are planning your first rafting trip does not mean you need to start out on beginner level rapids.

Will I fall into the water?

There is always a chance that you could fall out of the raft during your trip, however, if you listen to your guide it is much more unlikely that you will fall out of your boat. Learn more here.

Do we go rafting if it's raining?

We do go rafting in the rain. You are most likely going to get wet one way or another. Rafting trips can operate in the rain and in thunderstorms because you are in the lowest part of the terrain in a rubber boat.

Rafting Safety

AVA Whitewater Rafting Safety Standards

If you ask us, whitewater rafting is the best adventure in Colorado and a must-do activity that will leave you wanting more. AVA Rafting has been a premier rafting outfitter since 1998, and we’ve always prided ourselves in the superior level of training our guides must go through. There are inherent risks with any outdoor activity, including rafting, but we prioritize safety on our trips, which is why we require 3 times more training than the state of Colorado requires for commercial raft guides.

What to Know about Safety

Safety Orientation

Before you embark on any adventure with us, whether on the water or aerial, you’ll receive a detailed safety orientation. It’s important that you pay careful attention so that you can respond in any situation that might arise. You’ll be enjoying your tour in a natural environment where the situation can change quickly, so it’s important that you know what to do.

Raft and equipment, including safety helmets and lifejackets.

Proper Equipment

When you show up for your adventure, you’ll be given safety equipment that matches your tour. This equipment may include a helmet, a personal flotation device (PFD), a wetsuit or splash top, a harness for aerial tours, and more. It’s important to make sure that your equipment fits properly and that you’re wearing that right way. Your guide will help you get fitted and answer any questions you have about your gear.

Whitewater Rafting Guide Training

At AVA, our guides go through 3 times the state-required training for whitewater rafting. All of our guides are first aid and CPR certified and go through continued education even if they have been guided for a decade or more. On average, our guides have 8 years of experience.

Shoreline Safety

Our certified bus drivers at AVA take very good care of our guests on the road and the river. You can find them at the shore with a safety rope to help any swimmer in need of getting to the side of the river. They work with the safety kayakers and rafting guides closely to help guests at any time.

Inflatable Kayak Whitewater Rafting in Colorado

Safety Kayakers

We also have safety kayakers on our class IV & V whitewater rafting trips. During high water, we will have safety kayakers on class III trips as well. The safety kayaker provides an additional line of safety as guides and guests move through rapids, and their potential for swimming in the river increases.

River Level And Age Requirements

We take safety very seriously, and reserve the right to cancel a trip or increase age minimums depending on the water flows at that time. We love rafting more than anyone, but we will not go out on the river during conditions that are seen as unfit for certain ages or potentially anyone.

Is Rafting Safe?

Don't just take our word for it

Dan L.2025-06-04

We went ziploning for the first time w this company. Excellent experience. Felt safe at all times. Our guides were Ella and Julian, would highly... Read More »

Stephanie B.2025-06-10

our guides Kale and Rex were absolutely amazing!!!! they made our trip worth every second!!!! Read More »

Paige C.2024-08-29

An Absolute 10/10. We did a Full day Package, morning Via ferrata with Emma and Trey. It was so fun and they were awesome to hang out with! Then we did the... Read More »

Katie F2025-05-27

This was a great experience! This was my first time white water rafting and we did the 1/2 day Numbers trip. The trip honestly exceeded my expectations, as I was really nervous but ended up having a fantastic time! Our guide Chad was great and really knowledgeable about rafting and about the area. He was also really good about giving directions and keeping a calm and clear head.

I would really suggest this trip for anyone wanting a good rafting experience as you get a little bit of everything! The views from the river are great and you get to have both the adrenaline rush going down thr rapids and some smoother parts where we could look around and relax a little. We even jumped in the water to swim a little when we hit a really calm stretch of the river (the water was very very cold though!!).

They gave us all the gear we needed and a safety talk that really helped ease my nerves. I would definitely recommend AVA rafting for anyone, whether it's your first time rafting (like me) or experienced and have done this a number of times, this was definitely worth it!!

Jonas Jüling2025-05-09

We had a blast rafting browns canyon with our guide Will. The weather was great, we had a couple adventures rapids and enjoyed it very much! Can recommend 10/10

Presley Mauney2025-05-17

Such an amazing experience!! Jillian and Bus were wonderful guides they were funny and made us feel safe and comfortable and reminded me to let go and enjoy the moment! Highly recommend