The Rio Chama Experience Posted On: July 8, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Rio Chama Tagged In: family fun, Funyak, Rio Chama The Rio Chama is located in the area of New Mexico made famous in the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. This is a very scenic full-day trip through the canyon of the lower Rio Chama is in the Santa Fe National Forest. The rafting trip is from the Christ of the Desert Monastery to the Big Eddy take-out, with Class 2 to 3 (easy to moderate) whitewater. This is the area of New Mexico characterized by multi-colored sandstone cliffs and cottonwood groves along the river. Funyaks are perfect for this trip. When to Raft The weekends in late June, July, August and the beginning of September are guaranteed release weekends. The water is released from El Vado dam starting on Friday at noon and shut down on the following Sunday. Therefore the assured days for rafting are Saturday and Sunday. Who Should Raft the Rio Chama This full day trip of the Rio Chama is perfect for the entire family. The minimum age is 5. Family Funyaks Single person Funyaks, as seen in the photo below, are a great addition to the rafting adventure. Visit New Wave Rafting for more information. See You on the Rio.
Inflatable Kayaks on the Racecourse Posted On: June 20, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Inflatable Kayak Tagged In: Funyak, inflatable kayak, Racecourse Inflatable kayaks, also known as Funyaks, are becoming more and more popular. The Racecourse The five miles of the Racecourse rapids run below the steep Pilar cliffs on the south and basalt mesas on the north. Rockfall from these formations have created the Racecourse rapids, named for raft and kayak races held there every Mothers’ Day. At low water funyaks may be used, along with smaller rafts. The river warms to swimming temperatures (70+) in mid-summer. This stretch is contained in the scenic section of the federal Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. Funyaks (inflatable kayaks) We provide Funyaks at no extra cost in low water conditions. Just ask. Those who are new to kayaking or who want an introduction into the paddling world are in luck because inflatable kayaks are known to be excellent for beginners. You will be given special instructions at the beginning of the trip. Funyaking is NOT for everyone, and requires some athletic ability. If you are over 250 lbs. or in poor physical condition you may find it impossible to sit comfortably in a funyak. See You On The Rio. Check out our Instagram Page.
How River Levels Affect Your River Trip Posted On: June 8, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: family fun, Funyak, Racecourse rapids, Taos Box River levels of New Mexico’s Rio Grande are dynamic. Why Do Water Levels Fluctuate? The Rio Grande is one of the longest continuous rivers in the United States. Born in the deep snows of southern Colorado it provides water and recreation for Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The winter snow pack determines just how much water fills the river in the spring. Every year that amount is different. Other factors such as water rights for irrigation and municipal water affect that amount of flow. Late summer water level at Big Rocks Rapid. How Do Different River Levels Affect Your Trip? Rafting conditions depend on just how much water flows through the river canyon. Water levels tend to be higher throughout the spring and into the summer. Some years our monsoon season in July and August can also raise levels. For those seeking the highest adventure level, the early season May and June can provide the thrills and chills and the best whitewater excitement. Further into the summer the river becomes lower and produces the best whitewater fun for families and kids. Summer fun includes piloting your own inflatable kayak or funyak through the scenic parts of the canyon. The Racecourse, so named for the annual Mother’s Day race event, becomes technically challenging through medium size rapids. Here your guide will pilot you through Albert’s Falls, Herringbone, The Narrows, Big Rocks, and Souse Hole! Early spring high water of the Taos Box. SEE YOU ON THE RIO! (images courtesy of BrittRunyonImages)
Funyaks (inflatable kayaks) For Everyone Posted On: August 23, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Inflatable Kayak Tagged In: Funyak, inflatable kayak Funyaks, adding adventure to your whitewater experience. New Wave’s half-day Racecourse trip at low water provides the perfect opportunity for Funyaks. The young man in the above image successfully navigated the Class 3 rapids with his arm in a cast. It’s always a rewarding experience to teach kids how to successfully navigate the waves. This year has been stressful for both your kids and our guides. After months of quarantine, it’s been so beneficial for kid’s mental health to spend time outdoors. Even Mom can get in on the whitewater action of the Racecourse. Read More…
Inflatable Kayak (funyak) Rental For All Posted On: May 13, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Funyak, inflatable kayak, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument Renting a Inflatable Kayak (FUNYAK) is social distancing at it’s best! The rental trip goes from Taos Junction Bridge to Quartzite site, on our Monument Float section in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. $60 for a single and $90 for a double. Rentals are NOT available for use on the Racecourse, or other Rio Grande runs. Please call 800.984.1444. Note: Rental of one of our funyaks is NOT for everyone, and requires some athletic ability. If you are over 250 pounds or in poor physical condition you may find it impossible to sit comfortably in a funyak. A remote, outdoor experience is one of the healthier and safer places to be. We believe being out on the river away from the crowds represents a welcome refuge from the hectic nature of our day-to-day lives. Our guides and staff look forward to helping you have the best experience of your life. Additionally, nature makes us feel better emotionally. It also contributes to our physical well being, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. This short one minute video shows Funyaks on both the Racecourse section (guided) and the Monument Float (unguided). Lots more videos can be found on our YouTube Channel. We are taking multiple steps to minimize health risks to all involved in our rafting adventures. Below are some of the initiatives we are taking in response to this uncertain time: Participant screening Vehicle and equipment sanitation Enhanced active trip sanitation Trip change policies Thanks for following along. For all the information go here.
Fall Along the Rio Grande, 2017 Posted On: December 13, 2017 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: Nature Tagged In: Bighorn sheep, Funyak, Orilla Verde, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument Fall colors, bighorn sheep, brown trout and beautiful days! All photos were taken in September, October and November of this year. Read More…
Funyak Season Arrives on the Rio Grande, July 1, 2017 Posted On: July 1, 2017 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Funyak When the Rio Grande drops below 600 cfs (cubic feet per second) we pull out our smaller rafts and our funyaks. While we will miss the Taos Box, which. because it is so steep and rocky, requires more than 600 cfs, we look forward to the fun of funyaks and our sport fleet. “Does the lower water level make the river easier?”, you may ask. Well … yes and no. The lower water is safer, in that you are not being rushed pell-mell downstream if you fall in. The water is warm and clear now , as well – 65 degrees warm as of 7-1-17 – making it much more fun for swimming. Yes, we do a lot of swimming during this part of our season. But the “no” part of the answer is that, while we have fewer big waves in the Rio, the lower water has allowed more rocks to break the surface – and we now have to maneuver around those exposed rocks. Either on the part of the guide, who may be shouting paddling commands at you, one after the other, or on your part, as you dodge between the rocks. Of course, everything else being equal, a funyak can thread the passages with greater ease than a raft. And, funyaks are more much stable and user-friendly than regular hard kayaks. We rent funyaks for 4 hr. unguided trips on the Class 2 Orilla Verde stretch, with shuttle included, and we provide funyaks on our regular trips at no extra cost, but you have to request them beforehand. Are you handy? Then you can likely handle a funyak. Funyak, on the Racecourse in typical mid-summer conditions Read More…