Whitewater Rafting Safety

AVA Whitewater Rafting Standards

If you ask us, whitewater rafting is the best adventure in Colorado and a must-do activity that will leave you wanting more. AVA Rafting has been a premier rafting outfitter since 1998, and we’ve always prided ourselves in the superior level of training our guides must go through. There are inherent risks with any outdoor activity, including rafting, but we prioritize safety on our trips, which is why we require 3 times more training than the state of Colorado requires for commercial raft guides.

What to Know about Safety

Rafting Browns Canyon Class III Rapids

Safety Orientation

Before you embark on any adventure with us, whether on the water or aerial, you’ll receive a detailed safety orientation. It’s important that you pay careful attention so that you can respond in any situation that might arise. You’ll be enjoying your tour in a natural environment where the situation can change quickly, so it’s important that you know what to do.

Raft and equipment, including safety helmets and lifejackets.

Proper Equipment

When you show up for your adventure, you’ll be given safety equipment that matches your tour. This equipment may include a helmet, a personal flotation device (PFD), a wetsuit or splash top, a harness for aerial tours, and more. It’s important to make sure that your equipment fits properly and that you’re wearing that right way. Your guide will help you get fitted and answer any questions you have about your gear.

Whitewater Rafting Guide Training

At AVA, our guides go through 3 times the state-required training for whitewater rafting. All of our guides are first aid and CPR certified and go through continued education even if they have been guided for a decade or more. On average, our guides have 8 years of experience.

Crew carrying a raft toward the river.

Shoreline Safety

Our certified bus drivers at AVA take very good care of our guests on the road and the river. You can find them at the shore with a safety rope to help any swimmer in need of getting to the side of the river. They work with the safety kayakers and rafting guides closely to help guests at any time.

Inflatable Kayak Whitewater Rafting in Colorado

Safety Kayakers

We also have safety kayakers on our class IV & V whitewater rafting trips. During high water, we will have safety kayakers on class III trips as well. The safety kayaker provides an additional line of safety as guides and guests move through rapids, and their potential for swimming in the river increases.

Advanced Whitewater Rafting Tours

River Level And Age Requirements

We take safety very seriously, and reserve the right to cancel a trip or increase age minimums depending on the water flows at that time. We love rafting more than anyone, but we will not go out on the river during conditions that are seen as unfit for certain ages or potentially anyone.

Don't just take our word for it

Stephanie B.2025-06-10

our guides Kale and Rex were absolutely amazing!!!! they made our trip worth every second!!!! Read More »

Dan L.2025-06-04

We went ziploning for the first time w this company. Excellent experience. Felt safe at all times. Our guides were Ella and Julian, would highly... Read More »

Zach N.2025-06-26

-bad customer service
-safety issues
-series of problems

I recently came with my 13 year old and a group of their school friends and families. The twelve... Read More »

Julie Miller2025-06-12

I took my husband and our three children ages 17, 13, and 12 and we had the experience of a lifetime. Parker was our guide and he was knowledgeable and professional, and has the best personality for what he’s doing. We booked the Browns Canyon Sizzler and we could not have been happier with our choice. We embarked on our adventure around 9am and were back at the outpost mid afternoon. Halfway through our float we stopped and had delicious fajitas prepared right there by the river by the guides. I’m so glad I decided to go with this company, we were not disappointed one bit. We definitely have AVA in mind the next time we come to Colorado, maybe I’ll try some zip-lining next time. Thanks for the awesome adventure!

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Paul McNulty2025-06-12

Did this 14 years ago and it was awesome. This time Unbelievable ! It is all about the guide. We probably sucked at paddling, but “stoke” made us feel we were great, had a good team, and rewarded us with attacking the challenge with fun. Worth every strike and amazing life experience. Thanks Stoke!

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Blake cochran2025-06-23

We did the rafting in the morning with Chad and Garrett and the via ferrata with Ella and Cody! It was a fabulous day of high adventure. All the guides were so experienced and safe. You could tell the attention to detail the company puts into their experiences, everything was so well thought out. I greatly appreciated the encouragement and support they gave for the scarier more adrenaline enduring portions of the via ferrata, I couldn't have done it without Ella! 5 stars all around! We will be sending people your way :)

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