We were excited to raft the Colorado, because we had just gone on another rafting trip a week prior in Durango. However, the river was low, so only Class 1 and maybe one 2. That was not the fault of the guides or Red River. However, we were really unimpressed with the guides. The safety talk was awful. No information was given about how to paddle, where to place feet in the raft, how to pull someone into the raft...and the instructor mumbled through the part about feet up and how to float in the river. One guide in partucular was also a bit mean, to the point of being rude to some of the guests. I felt like cattle, they just wanted to be done. We had to ask about names of rapids and other basic info about the river, not much was offered or shared by the guide. We were really dissapointed with the lack of instruction, and the lack of excitement or knowledge from the guides. Also, the advertisement says, "a short ride to the drop off", it was a 40 minute bus ride around curvy roads, which people with motion sickness should know beforehand, so they can take meds.
Response from Host
Sep 2018
Meh!
Yes the river is Class II and I am sorry that you were unable to find enjoyment in it. The, thinly veiled, criticism of the river and that of the guides has been elevated in this review to a level beyond that which we received in an internal survey we sent to Peaceable2 after his trip. I think that Peacable2's own words from that response say it best.
"Our guide, Mikaela (sp?), Was excellent and pretty much saved the day for us. Great job Mikeala and thank you!"
There is obviously more to the review so I will go on.
"The safety talk was awful"
We do a similar orientation every time we go to the river. In fact we have a form that lists all the elements of what we cover.
Items like paddle, T-grip, blade, shaft and how they are to be used, as well as, sitting in the boat, falling out of the boat and river rescue are all specifically covered, everyday!
Once we run through the list we ask a guest to acknowledge that we covered everything and then sign off that we did so. We do this everyday! It is notable that the form was signed, that day, by Peacable2's wife. I am checking to see if I can add it to our photos here on TA.
The group orientation sometimes needs to be expanded upon and we will give additional instruction when experience and conditions dictate. In this case the prior rafting experience and conditions negated the need to further elaborate on how to paddle after it was covered in the group orientation.
"I felt like cattle".
We have a saying that getting families on vacation to the river is like herding kittens.
Some days it is difficult to impress upon people that they need to move along through the process or we won't see the river. This apparently was one of those days. There is a fine line to walk and I am sorry that if, in being stern, Mary came across as rude. There is a difference. I would like to mention that Mary is generally a delight and has more survey responses and reviews mentioning how sweet and kind she than anyone who works at the company.
"We had to ask about names of rapids and other basic info about the river, not much was offered or shared by the guide. We were really dissapointed with the lack of instruction, and the lack of excitement or knowledge from the guides."
This would have fallen to Micaela as she was in their raft and I believe that the same words address the concern.
"Our guide, Mikaela (sp?), Was excellent and pretty much saved the day for us. Great job Mikeala and thank you!"
"the advertisement says, "a short ride to the drop off"
No where in any info that we send or anywhere in our advertising is a āshort ride to the drop offā mentioned. Our site and confirmation mention āscenic rideā. This often a highlight of the trip due to the information our guides offer up about what they are viewing along the way. I am sorry that the realities of the ride were not in line with your expectations.
Lastly I would like to mention to all those that got this far that we send out an enormous amount of pre-trip info and our website is a wealth of information. We also encourage people to call and chat with us if there are any questions or concerns. We do this because a well informed guest has expectations that match what we provide and won't be surprised by low water or a river road that is curvy. A well informed guest can make our job easier which will make the day run smoothly and allow us to provide a better experience for all.