Spend the afternoon rafting the wild and scenic Ocoee River with Charles Myrick, owner of
Atlanta Outfitters . We'll meet at the outpost at
Whitewater Express. Please carpool and plan to leave Atlanta in time to arrive at the Outpost on time! (It's a 2 hour drive from Atlanta).
Charles will meet you at
Whitewater Express at the Outpost.
Rafting times are: 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30pm, 1:00pm, 2:30pm. Please specify which time slot AND activity you are RSVP'ing for! If you are interested in doing other things, see the other options in the Paypal dropdown menu (or under COST below) which includes lodging and other activities (horseback riding, mountain biking, etc).
Cost:
Rafting only = $30 / person.
Rafting + (1) night cabin lodging = $55 / person
Rafting + (1) night cabin lodging + (2) meals (dinner Saturday, breakfast Sunday) = $75 /person
Rafting + (1) night cabin lodging + mountain biking = $100 / person -- Minimum 4 people!
Rafting + mountain biking = $75 -- Minimum 4 people!
Rafting + (1) night cabin lodging + (2) meals (dinner Saturday, breakfast Sunday) + horseback riding = $100
Payment can be via the Paypal button / credit card / cash to Charles direct. Payment must be made before the RSVP deadline unless arrangements are made with Charles beforehand.
RSVP deadline: 4 days prior to event. Friends and family are welcome. Minimum age to raft 12 years old.
Directions to the Outpost can be found here:
www.whitewaterexpress.com
What to Bring for Cabin Lodging:
- Sleeping bag / bedroll -- bunks are provided with mattress
- Shower kit
- Cooler for food / snacks -- meals are not included in standard cabin package.
What to Expect on Your Whitewater Rafting Adventure:
1. You will get wet! Be sure to wear a bathing suit underneath and then wear water resistant clothes such as board shorts, workout clothes, etc. Don’t wear cotton or denim, which will take a long time to dry and will chafe. Also, bring a change of clothing to wear after you are done.
2. Don’t wear flip flops! Wear shoes with straps that Velcro (such as Teva or Chacos) or other water shoes. You want something that will not come off easily, and good tread on the bottom is also important so you won’t slip on rocks or wet ground.
3. Don’t bring anything in the boat you can’t afford to lose. This means leave the wallet, cell phone, key fob, expensive sunglasses, etc. in the van. There is no dry, safe storage spot on the raft and you are responsible for your own belongings. Better safe than sorry – leave it behind!
4. There are some trees covering the river so you will be in sun for several hours. Please put on good waterproof sunscreen before we get to the river (allow 30 minutes for it to soak in before sun exposure) to protect yourself. Helmets will keep your head covered and protected so don’t worry about a ball cap while on the water. You can also wear a bandana underneath if you like.
5. This is not the place to wear your Prada sunglasses! You will get wet and slippery and they could fall off, especially if you go in the river. Wear cheap sunglasses that stay firmly on your head or have a cord (like Croakies) to keep them in place.
6. The river is unpredictable, so be prepared to go along for the ride. You might experience a few bumps/bruises/scrapes as you move around in the raft. After all, you are on a giant rubberized raft in the middle of a river so be ready for the unexpected!
7. While we are here to have fun, it is also important to follow any safety guidelines of the guide or the company. Please pay attention and follow instructions so you don’t endanger yourself or your fellow rafters.
8. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is NOT advised before you go on the river. This refers back to the previous rule, where it is imperative that everyone remains sober and safe.
Be safe and have fun!
Here is a helpful checklist of items to bring:
-- Bathing suit
-- Waterproof shorts
-- Waterproof shirt or technical tee
-- Sunglasses
-- Sandals/River shoes
-- Sunscreen
-- Waterproof camera (at your own risk!)
-- Water bottle (leave this in the van, but be sure you are well hydrated for the river portion)
-- Change of dry clothes for after the trip
-- Towel(s) – Might want to bring a beach towel to dry off after the river and a second towel if you plan to take a shower at the campsite
What to expect when you get there:
1. The river guides will explain safety procedures and what to expect while we’re out on the river. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION! While this is a fun outing, we want everyone to be safe, which means working together and following directions.
2. You will be outfitted with your gear – a helmet, PFD and a paddle.
3. You will load the van / bus and go to the put-in site at the river.
4. The guide will conduct a demonstration of proper paddling procedure and teach you the commands you will hear while out on the river.
5. You will load the boats into the water and the fun begins!
6. When you are done, you will take the rafts out of the water and the guides will load them back on the van. You will then be driven back to the campsite.
7. Next you will unload the gear and return paddles, helmets and PFDs to the company.
8. Hot showers and bathrooms are on site, so there will be time to take a quick shower to wash the river off and change clothes.
9. Be ready to brag about your performance on the river and talk about what an amazing time you had over lunch!
