Your Rafting Outfitter and You: Large or Small
Through the lens of analyzing whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River in Northern California, we'll explore some ways to pick an outfitter. These concepts may be applied whether you're hiking, snorkeling, skiing or para-sailing, etc. Specifically we're going to look at outfitters and their size, how many trips do they do and what's right for you.
There are benefits to small outfitters you won't generally find in the larger providers on the river. The counterpoint to this, there are benefits the larger outfitter can provide the smaller outfitter just cannot compete.
We're not choosing for you, large or small, this is your decision to make; however, in doing so, just ask yourself some simple questions about the trip you want to have. The points below may be of assistance in developing your perfect rafting getaway.
Before we begin the compare and contrast, by in large, if you're rafting with a professional company then you can expect a competent, organized trip.
As a reference point, a small company is going to raft less than 1200 people a year down the river and a large company will do more than 1200.
To understand what this means on a "river-scale", in 2008 more than 60,000 people went down the American River's South Fork. The largest of companies ran more than 6,000 of those people and the smallest did near 200. The rest were divvied up between the other 31 outfitters.
One of the biggest differences in a large versus small company is trip availability. A large company, because they're generally running a trip, can almost always take a one, two or four person booking. Whereas a small company may not be able to book you into a trip that's already going. The costs are prohibitive. This doesn't mean you shouldn't try to reserve with a smaller company, it simply means sometimes they cannot run the trip The flip side here, some of the larger companies fill up and their permits will not allow more bookings and a smaller company may have room on a trip.
The energy may be a bit more laid back at a smaller company simply because they have less to keep track of. A larger company has a whole host of schedules to meet and logistics to keep organized and this may limit their ability to add special requests to a trip, limit their ability to customize your experience; whereas, a small company may easily accommodate your requests.
While not a significant factor when choosing an outfitter but equipment should be given a thought or two. Larger outfitters, who are rafting large numbers are going to have equipment to handle large numbers. For rafting this means bigger rafts, bigger than a small outfit designed specifically for customer enjoyment. Bigger rafts are fine, you'll have fun but they're not as exciting as a company that has gear aimed specifically at making the river the best ride it can be.
Rates: For some, it all boils down to money. In 2008, a group asked for pricing from their regular rafting outfitter, a smaller company. The pricing was for 2 days rafting, 2 lunches, dinner, breakfast and camping. The small companies bid was $250, per person. They shopped their outfitter and found a larger outfitter who charged $199, without considering the differences in experience, they chose the larger company. Most of the pricing you'll find will be similar, even the $50 spread in this example is over 2-days, the fee splits are nominal. If, as in the example, the bigger company wants to go lower, they can, and the smaller companies cannot follow due to fixed costs.
If you have additional plans built into your vacation you may have requests of the outfitter you choose to meet the time requirements of what you're doing. A larger outfitter may not be able to meet your needs because of the schedules mentioned above or the person in charge is not authorized to make the necessary decision to make your special request happen. A smaller outfitter has a higher likelihood of the decision maker being at or near the river to make those decisions and to help you plan your trip. A larger company may better be able to handle very large groups, 100+ people or perhaps they run other rivers you're interested in. Again, both have their benefits you simply need to decide what you need and how you need it and then begin your contact.
Finally, customer service may be an issue. Most smaller companies have the boss close at hand. This person is often the owner and your pleasure, your positive experience with his or her outfit is of paramount importance and this may show in little touches or courtesies extended to you from the booking encounter to the final wave good bye. All companies will have positive competent staff working to make you happy, but some of the bigger companies can get distracted.
Size does matter, when choosing your rafting provider.
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