Menu
Adrenaline rush with whitewater rafting
Everything seems calm -- the water is still, the sun is shining, but a rumbling in the distance is soon detected by the rafters who can just make out the first waves.
For about half the people on the trip, this will be their first whitewater rapid, and they aren't quite sure what to expect. As the rumbling increases and the butterflies begin, the boatmen give their first commands.
"Get a good brace and let's go all forward," said Russ Scheel, head boatman for the base's Outdoor Adventure Program, as the raft descends into the first wave.
"Keep going, dig it in," he yells over the sound of the waves. "Come on, don't stop!"
The end of the rapid soon approaches and the command of "all stop" is passed on. The rafters have now been introduced to their first rapid, "Whitewater 101," of the main Payette stretch, and the adrenaline is still pumping.
"It's an experience of a lifetime," said Joni Hubble-Zeneberg, an apprentice with OAP. "It's such an adrenaline rush -- hitting your first rapid; it's such an incredible feeling."
Gunfighters and their family and friends have the opportunity to take part in OAP's rafting trips almost every weekend.
With the rafting season beginning early May and ending in September, OAP offers six to eight trips each month at a cost of $35 per person. This cost covers transportation, rafting gear and time spent on the river. Participants are responsible only for lunch and a change of clothes if desired.
A typical day of whitewater rafting lasts around ten hours, which includes the drive, safety briefing, three to five hours of rafting and a quick stop for lunch.
Open raft trips during the early season take participants 16 years or older. As the season progresses and rivers become calmer, children 12 years and older with a weight of at least 90 pounds are welcome, but all rafters under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Each trip can be run on either the north fork or main stretch of the Payette River -- both 12 miles long -- or the south fork of the Boise River at 19 miles long.
"With more than 3,000 miles, Idaho has more raft-able rivers than any of the lower 48 state," said Michael Hurt, head of OAP.
Family raft trips are geared for the entire family and take place about once a month on the "Bliss" section of the Snake River. Children 6 or older are invited to join, but must weigh at least 50 pounds to meet life-vest requirements.
"It's one of the most uniquely Idaho activities you can take part in since we have so many good rafting rivers," said Mark Lothrop, head of Outdoor Recreation. "It's such a thoroughly relaxing yet invigorating time."
Volunteer boatmen serve as river guides and begin their training before the season begins in February to ensure they are prepared to handle the challenges of the rivers. Volunteers are also needed to drive the rafters to and from the rivers. Drivers earn credits, which they can put towards rafting trips or other OAP activities. "As a volunteer boatman you get the opportunity to learn a new skill and share the wonders of whitewater rafting," said Fred Busing, a volunteer boatman since retiring eight years ago.
After being stationed at Mountain Home for one month, Airman James Gillooley, 366th Logistic Readiness Squadron, realized this opportunity and began training as a boatman.
"It was an opportunity to get off base and see what Idaho had to offer," said Airman Gillooley. "The adventure and rush of navigating through the water while allowing people to have a great time was very appealing."
"Too many people leave an assignment in Idaho missing all the beauty it has to offer," said Chief Master Sgt. Allen Niksich, 366th Fighter Wing command chief. "Get out there and get a piece of the action and adventure, you have no idea what you're missing!"
For more information or to sign up for a trip, call 828-6333 or stop by OAP.