Wet and Wild Adventure: White Water Rafting Columbus Ga

White water rafting Columbus GA, with WhiteWater Express has been around for ten years in 2023! It has taken the planet by storm. USA Today calls it the best man-made white water on the earth and one of the top 12 man-made adventures in the world. The original idea was born in the 70s, launched in the 90s, and completed in 2013.

Visitors can enjoy 2.5 miles of whitewater rafting and kayaking- the longest urban whitewater trail in the world. An exciting benefit, also, is that the breaching creates habitat pools, which allow natural plants and wildlife back into the area.

WHAT TO EXPECT: WHITE WATER RAFTING COLUMBUS GA

We arrived at WhiteWater Express about 30 minutes before our scheduled departure time. This allowed us to sign the waiver, get our gear and listen to safety instructions. The outfitter also has a keen selection of gear for sale and GoPro rentals. We already have a GoPro, but we could still wear one of their helmets already fitted with a mounting base. Awesome!

Life jacket? Check. Paddle? Check. Helmet? Check. Fortitude? Check. OK. Now we load the bus.

Everyone climbed aboard the bus which took us to our put-in spot about 2-miles up the river. Once there we were put into groups, assigned a guide and given more safety instructions. Then the fun part: we picked up a raft and set out.

We were on the Classic ride. This is the perfect combination of family fun and adventure! We were met with Class I rapids first. If you’re looking for something more challenging, choose the Challenge or Carnage trip when the dam is released and the water is higher. Enjoy learning about rapids, history and the abundant wildlife that surrounds the river.

We hit about four different rapids, then took a break. We all hopped out of the raft and floated (nose and toes in the air!) down a stretch of lazy river. I could not believe how fast it moved us along!!

We climbed back in the raft and headed for Class II and III rapids, including The Pemberton, my favorite. With the waters low, it is a rapid with three steps to the bottom. It was killer! We could paddle back upstream and “surf” the rapid at the last rapid. Later in the day, we saw other rafters and kayakers attempting the same feat. It was exhilarating!!

Our tour ended in front of WhiteWater Express, where we said our goodbyes, pulled in our raft and headed back to the store. When you turn in your gear, don’t be shy about leaving a tip for your guide! Harris was our guide-extraordinaire, and we loved him! Ask for him when you go!

WhiteWater Express also offers bikes to explore the RiverWalk, ziplining across the Chattahoochee, paddleboards, kayaks and more. I highly recommend you make a reservation.

Near The Island (on the RiverWalk) you can rent rubes and stand-up paddleboards. You won’t want to take these into the rapids, but a cove around The Island offers pleasant waters to relax and explore. We took the kids there to play in the sand and water (life jackets are required for everyone, by law.) This is also the perfect area to watch other rafters with a picnic.

Without a doubt, white water rafting in Columbus is one adventure you don’t want to miss!

SEVEN THINGS TO KNOW: WHITE WATER RAFTING COLUMBUS GA

On most whitewater rafting rivers, you book your trip and hope for great conditions. At Whitewater Express in Columbus, Ga. There is no guessing. Morning trips are milder, afternoon excursions are anything but.

In the heart of Uptown Columbus, amid shops and killer restaurants, resides Whitewater Express, an adventure outfitter that runs whitewater-rafting trips down the Chattahoochee River, which sits across the street.

Location is always important, but when it comes to rafting, it’s the river that you want to be center stage, and the same folks who designed the 1996 Olympic course on the nearby Oconee River designed the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park course. What makes this river especially interesting is the daily water release. Until about 4 pm, there are over five class III rapids with things starting to pick up after 3 pm when the dam begins to release. After 4 pm, the dam release is complete, and that same course becomes class IV plus. For the real thrill seeker, Whitewater Express has special black rafts that are smaller, and easier to surf, as well as tip.

Kids must be at least 12 years old for the more intense afternoon trips. Everyone listens to a safety talk prior to heading out. When you get in the boat, several of these points are re-iterated as well. Guides do a great job of letting you know what’s coming and how to deal with it.

USA Today named Chattahoochee Whitewater Park one of the Top 12 man-made Adventures in the World. Four Rodman boys named it one of their favorite field trips in Georgia. Ziggy, our guide was key to that rating. He made sure we were prepared for what lay ahead. We practiced paddling and getting down in the boat while in calm water, so when the surges hit, we knew what to expect and how to react. He also had us surfing the rapids, a thrill for my adventure junkies who kept asking me all day why I hadn’t booked the class IV+ trip.

TIPS FOR A GREAT DAY OF WHITEWATER RAFTING

1. The earlier in the day you go, the less crowded the trips and the river. There may be three or four boats out on the first trip of the day, but as the day wears on, the river gets busier. Saturday is the busiest and Wednesday is the slowest.
2. The later in the day you go, the rougher the ride. Although all trips down the Chattahoochee have rapids, the afternoon trips have significantly more rushing water. The heavier flow begins at 3 pm when the dam lets out, but the real thrill rides are after 4 pm.
3. A more experienced guide can make a trip. The more experienced guides are generally those that are addressing the group, giving the safety talk, breaking rafters into groups, or the one carrying the medical kit on the river. Or you could just ask.
4. There are age restrictions, so check the website before booking a trip with children.
5. It’s customary to tip your guide for a great trip. An acceptable tip for a guide is $5 per person.
6. There are lockers and showers available where you get your gear.
7. Want even more adventure? There are also ziplining adventures and bike rentals.

If you’d like to take your rafting to the next level, you’ll be interested in what our friends at Pit Stops for Kids have to say about an O.A.R.S. overnight excursion.

WHERE TO STAY IN COLUMBUS GA

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA

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