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.
Good Reasons To Take Your Kids To the River Posted On: August 18, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Nature Tagged In: children, kids, Racecourse My childhood family vacations centered around the outdoors. My brothers and I were often the only kids on these trips and we were never bored. The highlight was heading to the river with the canoes and all the fishing gear we had. We entertained ourselves by playing games, swimming, chasing bugs and paddling the canoes. Dad did not tolerate any whining so we had to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Regardless, the best memories of my childhood are all from these outdoor trips. As a guide, the families on my rafting trips inspire me to give their children a trip they will not forget. Kids flourish on the river by playing, creating, and entertaining themselves with nature. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE PLAYING IN THE MUD AND NOT CARING. MOMENTS THEY WILL NEVER FORGET. Read More…
How Deep is the Water? Posted On: February 19, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Racecourse, Rafting new mexico, Taos Box How Deep is the Water? More often than you might imagine, prospective rafting customers ask me: “How deep is the water?”. Many people suppose that water depth is the only measure by which to assess the risk of drowning. “Is it over my head?”, is the implicit question. Of course, you can drown in shallow water, if you are unlucky enough. But most people know that, besides containing water, rivers are not like lakes. And lakes and oceans are where most people drown. They are either not wearing a floatation vest (PFD), do not know how to swim or both. Read More…
High Water Anticipation, 2019 Posted On: May 13, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Class IV, Class V, Colorado, cubic feet a second, irrigation, New Mexico, Racecourse, Rio Chama, Rio Grande, river runner, run-off, snow melt, Souse Hole Rapid, Taos Box, water user, watershed High Water Anticipation, 2019 High water! Various government agencies keep a close watch on snowfall, and the depth and density of snow that accumulates on the ground, throughout the winter. With this information, they can predict the amount of run-off (water from snow melt) that will likely occur. The run-off prediction is of paramount concern to farmers and cities, who obtain their supply of irrigation and drinking water from snowmelt. It is of paramount concern, also, to river runners. Here in the arid west, all water users agree that more water is always better than less water. The agencies issue reports that detail the snowpack in the various watersheds of a state. The watersheds that are of interest to us New Mexico river runners are, firstly, the upper Rio Grande, in Colorado, and secondly, the Rio Chama in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. And the Rio Grande is at 142% of average. Based on past experience, we expect that the run-off from this amount of snow will provide exciting levels of water in our two rivers. Weather, of course, will determine the exact nature of the run-off. Cooler weather slows it down, and hotter weather speeds it up. But we are supposing that the peak of the run-off will exceed 4000 cubic feet a second. What does this mean? A box 12″ on a side is a cubic foot. So imagine that, in a second’s time, 4000 such box fulls of water are passing by as you stand on the bank of the river. How much might it exceed 4000 cfs? It could go to 7000 cfs. Or not. Read More…
Hold On Tight Posted On: May 12, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: highwater, New Wave Rafting Co, Racecourse, Racecourse rapids, Rio Chama, Rio Grande, Taos Box “Hold On Tight” is the headline, but it’s not accurate. Rafting in big whitewater is a participatory activity. The guide yells out paddle commands and the guests respond with enthusiastic strokes of their paddles. As a rule, holding on is not an option. But what keeps you in the boat, as it crashes into waves and then bucks upward? It’s your paddle that keeps you in the boat. You get support from the paddle as you pull on it. It’s your third item of attachment to the raft, along with your rear-end contact and your feet placed under a thwart. Believe me … it really works like that. And your aggressive strokes are needed to power the raft through big waves and propel the boat in the direction determined by your guide. So, don’t hold on tight! New Wave Rafting Co co-owner Steve Miller is quoted below.