Rafting in California - For your safety and how to choose a trip

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running California river rafting trips for more than 30 years and has maintained an excellent safety record. We will continue to try and safeguard our clients and their possessions while on our raft trips. We do encourage you to make quite sure that you select the right trip for your group.

What level of rafting should I choose?

On our Choosing your California Rafting trip and Choosing your American River Rafting trip and Rafting with Children pages, we group the rivers by the level of difficulty, and have notes to guide you, which will depend on swimming & athletic ability, age and how adventurous the party is.

Particularly for a first time trip, or if you have a larger group, err on the side of caution to ensure everyone has fun. Always consider the least experienced, most timid or least fit person in your party when making your decision. Early in the season (April – Mid-June), water levels may be higher if we have a large snow pack, water levels can be higher and the rivers flowing more swiftly. This may cause us to raise our minimum age level, change our requirements for swimming ability or switch trips to less difficult runs. See International Scale of River Difficulty for official definitions.

Concerns about rafting, weight or physical limitations?:

Nearly everyone can participate at some level, but anyone with any medical condition, very overweight or in poor physical shape should always consult with their physician. Those with a heart condition or back problems should be particularly cautious. We have no specific weight limitation, however, each participant must fit into one of our lifejackets with all buckles fastened and our regular lifejackets fit a torso circumference of 52 inches maximum. We have a few jackets that will fit up to 56” but they MUST be requested in advance. It is also important for us to know in advance about any conditions that may affect anyone from being fully able to participate to ensure the enjoyment of all our guests.

Rafting with a mixed group of abilities and/or ages?

Please call or email our office if you would like assistance in choosing the most suitable California Rafting trip or American River Rafting trip. We are more than happy to discuss any concerns or specifics you may have. We have solutions for groups with a diverse range of ages and abilities like the South Fork American Gorge run for the more adventurous and the Lotus Run for younger or more timid, but the group get to hang out for the first 4 miles and lunch together. There are also some easier options that can be made more exciting for older youths and adults with the addition of an inflatable kayak. We may also have some custon options. We are sure we have the right trip for you!

What are the risks in taking a whitewater rafting trip?

There are risks involved in any outdoor activity and accidents can happen. However, we have been providing safe trips since 1978 and are permitted on some of the most difficult whitewater trips in California. Though there have been some injuries (people can sprain an ankle walking across rocks when not even in a raft), we have never lost anyone on one of our trips and there are many who cannot claim that safety record. All participants will be required to sign an Assumption of Risk or Liability Release form prior to the trip. Forms can be accessed and downloaded from the site map, but they are provided with your trip confirmation package. When bringing other people children under 18 years, a parental or legal guardians signature will be required.