The 'Rafting Tales From the Past' Category Archive

One of the Armstrong family’s classic stories, this rafting tale is about the start of the youngest sibling’s river guiding career. You just have to read it to believe it!

The history of whitewater river running dates back to the Native Americans and John Wesley Powell, well before modern rubber rafts were invented. Let’s take a history lesson about our favorite sport.

All-Outdoors has been a pioneer in both whitewater rafting and gender inclusivity since its beginning in the 60’s. Women have contributed to the company’s growth every step of the way, playing vital roles both on and off the water.

Our guests often ask us the question, “Where did the name All-Outdoors come from?” It is a good question and one that deserves to be answered.

The river where California whitewater rafting took sail 60 years ago is now a lake. While the loss of the Main Stanislaus River in the 1980’s was heartbreaking, out of it came a loud voice for river conservation countrywide.

Read this hair-raising story of a 1970 springtime trip the Armstrongs took on the Main Stanislaus River and see what important lessons were learned on that memorable day.

Turning 60 years old is something worth celebrating, especially when so many lives have been touched by All-Outdoors rafting trips over the decades. It all started in 1962 and what a journey it has been!

AO owner Scott Armstrong tells the story of him and his brothers on an early exploratory trip on Goodwin Canyon in 1999. That trip helped place this unique river into our large repertoire of California river trips.

George’s first rafting trip was difficult and full of mishaps, but sparked a passion. His second trip the following year in 1963 was more sensible and more enjoyable. Listen to him tell the story and see the footage of this epic voyage…

Listen to All-Outdoors owner Gregg Armstrong tell the story of how the family got hooked on whitewater rafting back in the 1960’s, how the family keeps growing the rafting business, and how the rafting business keeps growing the family.