subject: The Coolest Vacation Around - And How To Make It Even Better! [print this page] There are many considerations to take into account as you book a rafting vacation, but one, in particular, stands out above the rest - should your outfitter be a small company or a large company? While this question is applicable to all rafting trips, and many adventure trips for that matter, today's article will focus on the South Fork of the American River.
Both options offer benefits as well as drawbacks, so educating yourself on all of the options is important. We've compiled some suggestions to help you plan your next trip.
First and foremost - regardless of the size, any professional rafting company will be equipped with trained, professional, safe guides.
Second, it is important to define the terms "small" and "large." For our purposes, any company that rafts more than 1,200 people down the river a year will be defined as "large," while a company that rafts fewer than 1,199 participants is considered "small."
Thirdly, for the sake of reference, some 60,000+ people rafted the South Fork of the American River in 2008. The largest outfitter sent nearly 6,000 people down the river (nearly 10% of the total volume), while the smallest outfitter saw somewhere around 200 participants. The river is home to thirty-three total companies.
One of the biggest differences between large and small companies is the availability of trips. A large company can almost always take a one, two, or four-person booking, because there is almost always a preexisting trip already in place. However, a small company may not be able to book you into a trip that's already going, as the costs are prohibitive. This doesn't mean that it's not worth trying to reserve with a small company, but simply that it may not be feasible. On the flip side, larger companies may run out of space and their permits will not allow for more trips. Space and permitting are not problematic for a smaller outfitter.
Small companies can customize your trips more easily and are more apt to make special accommodations. Large outfitters send multiple trips a weekend, so your party may only comprise a small percentage of their participants that day. Thus, they must adhere to strict schedules and routines, allowing them far less flexibility for each individual party.
Equipment can be a factor as well. Like the guides, ALL rafting equipment adheres to safe, professional standards and is commercial-grade. However, the more often equipment is used, the more wear-and-tear is placed on it, so a large company's equipment may not be aswellfresh. More importantly, a larger company is going to purchase larger boats in order to accommodate more people and raft in a wide variety of places. A small company may only raft one specific river, and thus, the boats they use are specifically designed to raft that river. Here is a good analogy: if you have the option to drive over a bumpy road with an SUV or a motor scooter, which will provide the bigger, more exciting ride? Boats operate in rivers in a very similar manner.
Price can certainly be an issue as well. The large volume of rafting outfitters on the South Fork of the American River requires that all outfitters be price-competitive, but there are times when a small company cannot absorb the costs that a large company can. A particular case from 2008 comes to mind. A group was looking to book a two-day trip, and they went to their regular rafting provider - a small outfitter. The price quoted was $250, which included two days of rafting, two lunches, dinner, breakfast and camping. After a bit of research, the group found a larger company that was able to give them the same trip for $199 per person. While the difference in equipment, guide attitudes, and customer service varied greatly between the two providers, pricing was the deciding factor and the larger company won the bid. Identifying your priorities for a given trip is important in the decision-making process.
Flexibility can also be the deciding factor, depending on your desires. Considering the large number of clients that large companies see, their flexibility in scheduling is very limited. A smaller company is a much better bet if you have specific scheduling needs. Conversely, if you want to run a different river, you are less likely to find a small company that can meet your needs, and they may not even have all of the appropriate equipment. A larger company is definitely your best bet if that is your priority.
Finally, the customer service experience you receive may vary greatly based on outfitter size. Again, all companies will have quality staff, but big companies must stick to a strict schedule, which can pull the focus of the guides and other staff. With a smaller company, you may deal directly with the owner or small staff that will remain hands-on throughout your rafting experience. Smaller most often equals a more intimate environment, while a larger company may deliver more of a mass experience.
No matter what you decide, identify your priorities first and then make the appropriate decision. Large or small, when it comes to choosing a rafting outfitter, size does matter.
