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Catrafts take to BC’s Kicking Horse River.

And you thought whitewater rafting in the Rockies couldn’t get any wilder?

by Teresa Earle 29 October 2010

Just as there are wine connoisseurs and history buffs, there are rafting aficionados, and these whitewater-obsessed thrill-seekers know a ramped-up river experience when they see one. In their world, a raft isn’t just a raft; if a classic doughnut-style raft is like an SUV, then a pontoon-style catraft is more like an off-road vehicle. So it’s no wonder catrafts are popular—they all but immerse paddlers in the water, guaranteeing the wettest ride and promising more play in the river.
This year Golden, BC’s Alpine Rafting introduced three custom catrafts to its fleet. In addition to running a business and knowing a thing or two about mountain rivers, Alpine’s owner Jim Pleym happens to be handy with welding and sewing machinery. He fine-tuned his design for the demands of the Kicking Horse, western Canada’s premier whitewater river.
 
Where most inflatable rafts generally keep the water where it belongs—in the river—a catamaran-style catraft invites crashing waves into the craft. Two pontoons are lashed to an aluminum frame with a mesh floor, so the water just spills out. Large catrafts, or cataraft, have been around for years. But smaller and more nimble catrafts take it up a notch in whitewater. Rafting enthusiasts are taking note; Alpine has clients coming back for the harder hits, more aggressive lines and saturating experience of a catraft.
During spring melt, Adams River Rafting in British Columbia’s Shuswap offers short cataraft trips on the Adams River through Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park. Two rafting operators on the province’s Thompson and Fraser rivers—Hyak Wilderness Adventures and Kumsheen Rafting Resort respectively—offer powered river trips in large catrafts. You may not have to paddle, but you’re gonna get drenched!
www.hellobc.com
video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcEaUxGr4hY&feature=youtu.be&a
Rafting at its Best in the Ottawa River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Rm6Pmx-HE
Slave River Kayaking Beginner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTE5vEcOwJU
Class V Kayaking on the Slave River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZXEeL1nLw

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Usage guidelines

We welcome you to use these story ideas as inspiration for your own stories about Canada. The CTC owns all rights worldwide. (Our images are also royalty-free and available for editorial print, broadcast and electronic use.) If you choose to reproduce these texts for editorial use only, please include the author's byline and "courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission." If you cut, edit or modify the text in any way, please include this note: "The text has been modified from the original." Thank you.

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Prince Edward Island, Credit - Mandatory Tourism PEI/John Sylvester - Background Image