Whitewater Voyages - 2012 KAWEAH TRIP MEETING TIME: 1-Day Sequoia Shooter 9:30 a.m. LOCAL WEATHER AT RIVER: www.weather.com Zip Code 93271 WATER FLOWS: www.dreamflows.com TRIP MEETING SITE: Three Rivers Hideaway Resort Whitewater Voyages designated parking area 43365 Sierra Drive Three Rivers, CA 93271 RESERVATIONS OFFICE: 5225 San Pablo Dam Rd. El Sobrante, CA 94803 Phone: (800) 400-7238 Fax: (510) 758-7238 Email: Website: (not a meeting site for trips) fun@whitewatervoyages.com www.whitewatervoyages.com DIRECTIONS TO MEETING SITE Please DO NOT GPS the location please follow the directions below. Nearest large town is Visalia approximately 200 miles from Los Angeles and 260 miles from San Francisco. From Northern California 1. I-5 South to Highway 152 2. Highway 152 East towards Los Banos connect from Highway 152 onto Highway 99 South 3. From Highway 99 South exit onto Highway 198 towards Visalia / Sequoia National Park 4. Travel 37 miles on Highway 198 through the town of Visalia and through to Three Rivers 5. In Three Rivers, pass the Sierra Lodge on the left and drive another ¼ mile until you come to Three Rivers Hideaway 6. Turn left into Three Rivers Hideaway and stop at the office to register (tell them you are with Whitewater Voyages and on a one-day trip) 7. After registering follow the signs to Whitewater Voyages parking area From Southern California a. I-5 North b. After crossing the Grapevine connect onto Highway 99 North c. From Highway 99 North exit onto Highway 198 towards Sequoia National Park and Visalia then follow directions from item #4 above PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR KEYS OR VALUABLES WITH YOU ON THE RIVER! You may leave your keys in our camp store. Whitewater Voyages cannot be responsible for client valuables. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN ON WEARING FLIP-FLOPS OR THONGS FOR RAFTING You must wear shoes that securely stay on your feet such as tennis shoes, water shoes, water sandals that strap on completely, etc. (Reasonably priced slip-on water shoes are available for sale at our camp store. Also, for your convenience sunscreen, water cameras, sunglass straps, sunglasses, hats, t-shirts and cold drinks are available for purchase at trip check-in site.)
Whitewater Voyages - 2012 KAWEAH LOCAL CAMPING Advance Reservations: Three Rivers Reservation Centre (a no-fee booking service) Website www.sequoiapark.com Email rescentr@sequoiapark.com LOCAL CAMPGROUNDS Three Rivers Hideaway ** (559) 561-4413 Sequoia National Park (800)-365-2267 Lemon Cove Camp & RV Park (559) 597-2346 Visalia KOA (559) 651-0544 ** If you wish to camp at Three Rivers Hideaway you will be charged camping fees by Three Rivers Hideaway. Three Rivers Hideaway is a pleasant campground with showers and a sandy river beach. Whitewater Voyages does not own or manage Three Rivers Hideaway. Additional camping information may be available through links found on our website at www.whitewatervoyages.com LOCAL MOTELS Sierra Lodge (888) 575-2555 Sequoia Village Inn (559) 561-5900 Western Holiday Lodge (559) 561-4119 Fairfield Inn (559) 636-7600 Kaweah Motel (559) 592-2961 BED & BREAKFAST INNS Cort Cottage (559) 561-4671 Please Note: It is common for facilities in small towns and remote areas to have strict cancellation policies and require two-night minimum stays. Please check the policies of any facility you plan to reserve with. Also, we recommend booking early. 1-DAY TRIPS TRIP AGENDA Arrive and check in at meeting site/time specified above. Turn in your signed, completed Release Form at trip check-in. Rafting gear provided (life vest, helmet, wet suit if needed) Safety talk administered by Whitewater Voyages trip leader. Transported to river put-in. Paddles and raft assignments provided. Rafts launch onto river (yeah!). Enjoy midday sandwich lunch along river at Raft to take-out Transported back to meeting site in Lotus WET SUITS Wet suits are provided for use as needed on a complimentary basis. Wet suits are typically required through May. Occasionally, cool weather occurs after May in which case a wet suit may be needed. Wet suit size requirements should be placed prior to trip with the reservations office at (800) 400-7238. Wet suits provided are 3mm neoprene Farmer John style. Nylon paddle jackets provided with wet suits however booties are not please wear sturdy, secure shoes and wool socks. Wet suits should be worn over bathing suit, lightweight non-cotton shorts or polypropylene long underwear. We recommend wearing shorts over your wet suit to help prevent slipping on the raft. MEALS One-day trips: Lunch along the river at Anne Lang s Emporium (order your choice of sandwich, with fruit, chips & beverage) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Please note that alcohol, and alcohol-impaired guests, are not allowed in rafts or on the river.
Kaweah River Just north of the Kern, a three-hour drive from Los Angeles, the Kaweah pants and plunges through a multitude of great rapids. Running the Kaweah, we push at high speed down narrow reed-lined passageways. Again and again we burst upon fast, wild class IV+ rapids throbbing with fast current, big drops, and boulders requiring strong paddling and expertise of maneuver. In places, the Kaweah has its quiet moods streaming down living corridors of willow, sycamore, cottonwood, and alder. In an area known as the Slickies, the whole river glides down sensuous flumes and water slides of solid granite polished smooth over the eons. Located adjacent to Highway 198 near the entrance to Sequoia National Park, the Kaweah combines well with a visit to the giant Sequoias, the largest living entities on earth. This challenging class IV+ run is recommended only for fit, active, experienced paddlers with strong swimming ability who are able to stay in a wildly tossing boat all the while paddling vigorously. Bumper IV+ Suicide Falls IV Toilet Bowl III Dislocation III+ Stonybroke IV Dinely III Wedding III Mac s III Hammer III Twin Treat III Cyanotic IV+ Powerhouse IV+ The Chair III+ Unnamed III Ditch Now III+ Elowin III Screaming Right Turn III+ Golf Course III Slicky IV+ Grady s Ledges (aka Upper Slicky) IV Tuber s Religion III Holiday IV Lower Holiday IV Lake Kaweah Tunnel of Love III Graffiti III Legend Rapids Not to Scale Whitewater Voyages 1-800-400-RAFT
Release Form Notice Following is a copy of the Release of Liability form that all persons must complete and sign before embarking on a rafting trip. When a reservation is made and confirmed the reservations office will send, to the person whose name the reservation is under, an email with a partially completed Release form with the reservation number, rafting date, river selection, and length of trip specified. The emailed Release form should be distributed to each member of the rafting party. Each rafter will need to finish completing the form by filling in their personal information (name, address, etc.). The Release form is sent as a fill-in Adobe PDF document. You may distribute the form by email, or print and copy it for another method of distribution. Release forms should be submitted to Whitewater Voyages staff at trip check in. We recommend arriving at trip check in with your form already filled out.
WHITEWATER VOYAGES RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT PLEASE BRING THIS FORM, SIGNED, TO YOUR TRIP CHECK IN. THANK YOU. This is a release. Read it carefully before signing. This release essentially states that I know I am going on a whitewater rafting trip in a wilderness/outdoor environment not on an amusement park ride or to an air conditioned shopping mall. As a result of the inherent risks in this activity, I know I may die, get hurt, or damage my belongings. If any of these occur, I understand that I cannot make a claim, sue, or expect WHITEWATER VOYAGES, its owners, officers, agents, employees, associates, the State of California, its Department of Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Placer County Water Agency, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (hereinafter referred to collectively as WHITEWATER VOYAGES) to be legally responsible or pay for any damages. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF RISKS: I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily chosen to go on this whitewater rafting trip with WHITEWATER VOYAGES. Certain risks are inherent in any recreational activity and cannot be eliminated, altered, or controlled, and these risks that contribute to the unique character of the activity can also be the cause of injury, illness, death, and damages. I know and fully understand that a whitewater rafting trip, whether on a raft, oar boat, kayak, or any other type of vessel, is an outdoor adventure activity in wilderness environment with inherent risks and hazards where serious accidents can occur, participants can die, sustain injuries and property damage. Also, I understand that Class IV and V represent the most difficult and dangerous levels of whitewater and recognize that the risks associated with whitewater rafting are greatly increased. I acknowledge and willingly assume all risks and hazards in whitewater rafting and river related camping from the pre embarkation rendezvous until the conclusion of the trip, including, but not limited to, (1) loss of control of the raft, falls in, out, or about the raft, collision with other participants, equipment, other rafts, rocks, trees, and any portion of the interior of the raft, and any other man made or natural obstacles, whether obvious or not; (2) judgment, decision making and conduct of the guides; (3) submersion in water, drowning; (4) encounters with animals, wildlife and insects; (5) exposure to wilderness environment, extreme temperatures, and inclement weather, remote areas, wilderness terrain, including travel by foot or vehicle in any way related to this activity, whether at camp or elsewhere; (6) assistance in lifting and/or carrying rafting equipment; (7) rescue related injuries; and (8) unavailability of immediate and appropriate medical attention in case of injury. I further understand and acknowledge that WHITEWATER VOYAGES provides foot cups in some of its boats to assist participants in stabilizing themselves. The use of foot cups may present an increased risk of knee, ankle, or other injuries because of their restrictive nature. Use of foot cups is totally voluntary. I understand and acknowledge that the above list is not complete or exhaustive, and that other risks, known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, may also exist and result in injury, illness, disease, death or damage. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary and I elect to do so at my own risk. RELEASE: In consideration for WHITEWATER VOYAGES allowing me to participate on this trip, I voluntarily agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless WHITEWATER VOYAGES and for any and all claims of liability arising out of their negligence, fault, recklessness, or any other act or omission which causes the undersigned illness, injury, disease, death, and damages of any nature in any way connected with my participation in this rafting activity. I also expressly agree to release and discharge WHITEWATER VOYAGES from any act or omission of negligence in rendering or failing to render any type of rescue, emergency or medical services. In signing this document, I fully recognize and understand that if I (or any minor on whose behalf I am signing this release) am hurt, die, or my property is damaged, I am giving up my right to make a claim or file a lawsuit against WHITE WATER VOYAGES, even if they negligently or by some other act or omission cause the injury or damage. I further agree, to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify WHITEWATER VOYAGES from all defense costs, including attorney's fees incurred in connection with claims for bodily injury, wrongful death, or property damage, sustained by any minor under 18 years of age on whose behalf I am signing, or which I may have caused to spectators or other third parties, whether negligent or not, in the course of my participation in this activity. As parent or legal guardian of a participant under 18 years of age, I have read and voluntarily agree that said minor may participate in this whitewater rafting trip, and I sign this release on their behalf and on the behalf of the minor's parents and/or legal guardians. In addition, I give W HITEWATER VOYAGES permission to treat said minor in case of illness, injury, emergency, or accident. Should emergency medical services become necessary, for the undersigned participant or minor, the expenses are the sole responsibility of the participant and not that of WHITEWATER VOYAGES. Personal medical and travel insurance is strongly advised for all participants. WHITEWATER VOYAGES reserves the right to accept or deny service to any person. I hereby agree to follow all rules, regulations, and instructions of WHITEWATER VOYAGES while on this trip. I also certify that I and any minor on whose behalf I am signing, are physically and mentally capable of participating in these activities. I hereby represent that I have informed WHITEWATER VOYAGES of any pertinent medical conditions that may affect my or the minor's participation in these rafting activities. I hereby agree that WHITEWATER VOYAGES may use film or photographic records of this rafting trip for its promotional and/or commercial purposes. The Venue of any dispute that may arise out of this agreement or otherwise between the parties to which WHITEWATER VOYAGES or its agents is a party shall be either the town of El Sobrante, California, Justice Court or the County or State Supreme Court in Contra Costa County. Guide school/skills workshop participants: I understand that Whitewater Voyages is not certifying my guiding proficiency or readiness to go to another outfitter and guide right away after this training. I understand I will need additional extended training and practice to acquire proficiency in the skills being taught. I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ASSUMING ALL THE RISKS INHERENT IN THIS WHITE WA TER RAFTING ACTIVITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNDERSIGNED AND WHITE WA TER VOYAGES, THEIR OWNERS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES, AND THAT IT CANNOT BE MODIFIED OR CHANGED IN ANY WAY BY THE REPRESENTATIONS OR STATEMENTS BY WHITE WA TER VOYAGES OR BY THE UNDERSIGNED. I VOLUNTARILY SIGN MY NAME AS EVIDENCE OF MY ACCEPTANCE OF ALL THE PROVISIONS IN THIS RELEASE AND MY AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THEM. Present this form at the river at trip check in. Please print clearly. Name (please print) Home Phone Cell Phone Address City State Zip E mail Address: In the future we will be communicating mainly by e mail and through our website. Date of Birth Rafting Date(s) River(s) Trip Length Are you over 18? YES NO If No, then accompanying adult must sign & date here: Signature (If under 18 parent or legal guardian must sign here also*) Date Signed Reservation No. *Minors not accompanied by their parent must bring this form signed by their parent or legal guardian. Adult accompanying the minor must also sign this release as a verification of the parent/guardian signature. 2011
WHAT TO BRING FOR RAFTING ESSENTIALS Clothing appropriate to season and weather See guidelines below for summer and spring/fall trips Sunscreen Plan to use plenty of sun protection cream with a high SPF# on exposed skin; Don t put sunscreen on your forehead splashes of water will wash it down into your eyes! Secure head strap for eyeglasses or sunglasses & secure chin strap for hat or visor Sold at meeting site for Kern and American River trips. Personal water bottle Gallon water jugs are on rafts from which your bottle may be replenished. Magnetic hide-a-key for car keys do not take your keys on the river with you! If you wish you may leave your keys in the care of our staff while you are on the river. Waterproof or disposable camera OPTIONAL Change of clothes for the drive home Summer CLOTHING GUIDELINES Swim suit or shorts Protective footwear Tennis shoes that lace tightly, wet suit booties, or rugged, protective sandals that securely strap on. Bare feet, flip flops and thongs are not safe or permissible. Sun hat or visor With chin strap to prevent hat loss. Spring & Fall Warm clothing Plenty of warm clothes made of synchilla, polarplus, wool, fleece, capilene and similar materials which insulate well even when damp. Please avoid wearing cotton which when wet does not provide insulation and in cool or cold weather make you colder! Waterproof paddle jacket, windbreaker or rain suit. Hat Wool or an alternate insulating material such as Synchilla, Polarplus, etc. In cold weather, warm wool socks should be worn with your protective footwear. Protective footwear Tennis shoes that lace tightly, wet suit booties, or rugged, protective sandals that securely strap on. Bare feet, flip flops and thongs are not safe or permissible. In cold weather, warm wool socks should be worn. Wet suit Provided by Whitewater Voyages, whenever needed, on a complimentary basis. Wet suits do not include booties or footwear. Clients must provide own footwear. MEDICAL CONDITION ALERT Bring your own medication Our staff is prepared to provide basic first aid, but we are prohibited by law from providing, and we are not trained, to administer medications or advanced medical care. So, all clients with medical conditions such as susceptibility to anaphylactic shock from bee stings, allergies, etc., should bring, keep handy, and inform their guide(s) about their medication/anaphylactic kit.
Whitewater Voyages WET SUITS Wet suits are provided for use on a complimentary basis River Provide Sizes In Advance to Reservations Office Size At Trip Check-In Required In Spring & Cool Weather Required At All Times American (South, Middle & North) Kaweah Kern (Lower, Upper) Kern (Forks, Thunder Run) (Class V) Kings Merced Tuolumne Yuba (Lower North Class III-IV) Yuba (Upper North) (Class V) WET SUIT SIZING Height Range Weight Range Size 5 1 5 3 100 115 Small 5 4 5 7 115 140 Medium 5 8 6 0 140 180 Large 6 1 6 2 180 220 X-Large 6 3 6 4 220 240 XX-Large Wet suits are 3mm-thick Farmer John neoprene with nylon paddle jacket. Wet suits should be worn over bathing suit, lightweight non-cotton shorts or polypropylene long underwear. Baggy shorts should be worn over wet suit to reduce slipping on raft. Wet suits do not include booties. Tennis shoes with thick wool or polypropylene socks are recommended. Please note that wearing any cotton with your wet suit will make you colder. A hat is recommended during cool weather either wool or an alternate insulating material. RVE 2012
CANCELLATION POLICY Please understand that when a reservation is made and confirmed with a deposit it becomes an assured/guaranteed reservation Whitewater Voyages is committing to hold space for you and remove that space from the market. If you decide to cancel, it can be difficult for us to rebook the space especially in the case of cancellations that occur close to the reserved trip date. With this is mind, we must firmly adhere to the following policy: No-Shows/Late Arrivals No refunds or trip credits will be given for "no-show" or late-arriving guests that miss the trip departure--in such cases all monies paid to Whitewater Voyages are forfeited. According to the time frame in which you cancel, a cancellation fee will be assessed and the remaining balance of monies paid toward the cancelled space will be issued either as a refund or trip credit (trip credits are good towards a future Whitewater Voyages trip): Cancellation occurs 10 or fewer days prior to trip date 50% Cancellation Fee, 50% Trip Credit Cancellation occurs 11 to 30 days prior to trip date 20% Cancellation Fee, 80% Trip Credit Cancellation occurs 31 or more days prior to trip date 20% Cancellation Fee, 80% Refund Cancellation fees, trip credits, and refunds are calculated only on actual money amounts paid to Whitewater Voyages toward the cancelled trip space. Expenses incurred in association with your planned trip, or monies paid to other vendors/facilities in connection with your cancelled trip, are not the responsibility or liability of Whitewater Voyages. Any refunds issued are done so in the same method that the client payment was originally submitted to Whitewater Voyages. Persons may be substituted within a reservation without penalty. In lieu of cancellation, a change in trip dates, or river choice, will be accommodated (pending space availability on your alternate trip chice) without penalty if: 1) The change occurs 14 or more days prior to the originally booked trip date. If the change occurs less than 14 days prior to the original trip date booked, there may be a processing fee of $15 per person, up to a maximum total charge of $60 per reservation. 2) The change does not result in cancellation of the originally booked trip for other clients due to the trip falling below the minimum number of persons required to run a trip. A change that causes cancellation of the original trip for other clients is treated as a cancellation and the above cancellation fees apply. We regret that exceptions cannot be made for personal emergencies or illness. For this reason we urge our guests to purchase trip cancellation insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is available through Travel Insured International, Inc., 800-243-3174. Whitewater Voyages 800-400-7238 5225 San Pablo Dam Rd., El Sobrante, CA 94803
Dear Patrons, For those of you who have rafted with us in past years we extend a huge, warm Thank You! To those rafting with us for the first time we say Welcome! We greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve you and hope that your trip is a wonderful and memorable experience. We want to highlight a policy change that occurred in the 2010 season and that has been carried forward. Some clients will applaud the policy while some will not but for reasons pertaining to liability, client safety and employee welfare, Whitewater Voyages no longer provides alcoholic beverages at happy hour or dinner. We do not prohibit alcohol clients may furnish their own alcohol for personal consumption. We ask that alcohol consumption be limited to off-the-water time at the conclusion of the rafting day. As has always been our policy, alcohol is strictly forbidden while rafting or engaged in any river activity. While permitting clients to bring beverages that suit their personal preference, we do ask that a sense of moderation prevail especially in the presence of minors. It is our goal to provide a fun, uplifting atmosphere for all with safety our highest concern. We hope you understand and appreciate this policy if you wish to discuss this policy please don t hesitate to contact us at 800-400-7238. Whitewater Voyages Staff