The 'AO Rafting University' Category Archive

There is a lot more to a raft guide’s job than taking folks down the river every day. Come along as we follow seasoned raft guide Mathilda on a trip down the South Fork of the American River.

When it comes to whitewater rafting, one common question that arises often is whether swimming skills are a prerequisite. Let’s look into why and under what conditions even non-swimmers can participate in this exhilarating water sport.

Planning a family vacation can be stressful, but you’re off to a great start by booking a whitewater rafting trip with us. Let us help even more with these family friendly tips of what to do before or after the rapids.

The South Fork of the American River valley has more to offer besides whitewater rafting: it is full of hiking trails, swimming holes, and amazing views. Check out a few of our favorite trails to explore before or after your trip.

The river classification system is based on an International Scale of River Difficulty and ranges from Class 1 to Class 6 rapids. Let’s look at the different white water rafting levels!

Get educated about the most common whitewater rafting paddle commands you can expect to hear on your next river trip, and find out how to properly execute them in this helpful video.

Learn about the additional considerations that need to be taken into account when planning a rafting trip during the spring “high flows” period in a year with a well above average snowpack.

Whitewater rafting is one of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of a river canyon. But it’s only fun when you are comfortable and not concerned about getting too cold. Let’s talk about wetsuits!

All rivers are connected to rain and/or snow. If you want to know what California rivers will be doing in the spring, summer, and fall, you need to know what happened in the Sierra during the “wet season”.

Summer rafting in California is always awesome and usually warm and sunny. Listen to Trey, the grandson of founder George Armstrong, as he provides tips on what to wear and how to gear up for a summer rafting trip.