Q: Is this trip safe for my children?
A: Santa Fe Rafting offers a wide variety of fun and safe excursions for all ages and abilities. The biggest rapids available are found on the Taos Box full-day trip and are suitable for all interested parties age 12 and up. The rapids on the lower section of the river 'The Racecourse' offer plenty of excitement for children ages eight and up when the water is high and is suitable for six and up when the spring runoff is over. For people with no interest in rapids for whatever reason we have several scenic and relaxing float trips available.

Q: Will I get wet?
A: Yes! Everybody gets wet and quite a few people go for a swim in the Rio Grande…that feels great during July and August.

Q: How deep is the river?
A: River depths vary according to location in some spots the river is shallow and can be measured in inches other parts are more than twenty feet deep. The good news is that rapids result from constrictions and sedimentation so we look forward to the places on the river where it is not as deep because that is where we find the excitement.

Q: What is included in the snack and in the lunch?
A: Snacks provided on half-day trips include: fresh fruit, (usually seedless watermelon), chips and salsa, cookies and plenty of lemonade. Full-day trips offer buffet lunches including the above and deli sandwiches with a generous variety of meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables and condiments. We always have that old standby PB & J and can accommodate other dietary requests as needed.

Q: What type of clothing should I wear?
A: From mid June to the end of the season air temperatures are usually above 80 degrees and the water feels great. Dress like you're going to the beach. Wear a T-shirt, swimsuit or running shorts, sandals or sneakers, hat, sunglasses (optional) and sunscreen (strongly encouraged). All of this material is available at the SFR Store.

During the spring when the water is highest due to snow melting off the various 12 to 13 thousand foot peaks feeding the Rio Grande River air and water temperature can be considerably lower. At this time of year make an effort to dress a bit more warmly. We have found that synthetic fabrics that do not absorb much water are the best solution. Synthetic base layers like you use in skiing are great. A warm hat is a good idea as well.

Q: Are wet suits provided and booties provided?
A: Yes. We distribute these items at the SFR Boatyard in Santa Fe as needed or desired.

Q: What if I am meeting you at the river?
A: During the part of the season when we frequently use these items we will bring them.

Q: Are helmets required?
A: No. We do make them available to guests who request them.

Q: Are your guides certified?
A: All our guides are trained in basic first aid and CPR and trips on the Taos Box always include a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician. Many of our guides have a higher level of medical training. This includes Emergency Medical Technician and/or Wilderness First Responder. All SFR guides are well trained on the various sections of river they guide.

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Russell Dobson has owned and operated Santa Fe Rafting Co. since 1987. He has been rafting the Rio Grande commercially for over twenty years.

Q: Are photographs taken?
A: Yes. A separate company takes several photographs of each raft. We explain how to get in touch with them during our excursion with you. You can also click here.

Q: Where do we meet?
A: We generally meet our guests in the center of Santa Fe at our boatyard where we have plenty of free, secure parking. If you would prefer we could also meet you about an hour north of Santa Fe where the river is.

Q: Do I need to bring a water bottle?
A: It is a good idea to bring a water bottle or buy one from our store. Trips also bring a limited supply of water bottles for 'just in case.'

Q: What do the class ratings of the various trips mean?

A: From the Safety Code of the American Whitewater Association (Go to their Website). Here is a description of the various classes.

class i: easy. fast moving water with riffles and small waves. few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.

class ii: novice. straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class ii+".

class iii: intermediate. rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class iii-" or "class iii+" respectively.

class iv: advanced. intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. a fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. rapids may require ômust'' moves above dangerous hazards. scouting may be necessary the first time down. risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. a strong eskimo roll is highly recommended. rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class iv-" or "class iv+" respectively.

class 5: expert. extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added risk. drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. what eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. at the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. scouting is recommended but may be difficult. swims are dangerous, and rescue is often difficult even for experts. a very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential. because of the large range of difficulty that exists beyond class iv, class 5 is an open ended, multiple level scale designated by class 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, etc... each of these levels is an order of magnitude more difficult than the last. example: increasing difficulty from class 5.0 to class 5.1 is a similar order of magnitude as increasing from class iv to class 5.0.

class vi: extreme and exploratory. these runs have almost never been attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. the consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. for teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. after a class vi rapids has been run many times, it's rating may be changed to an apppropriate class 5.x rating.