Choosing a Rafting Outfitter: Big or Small

When you're choosing an outfitter for your outdoor adventure one basic consideration needs to be made with regard to outfitter size. While this concept is applicable in many areas, we'll focus on the whitewater rafting outfitter. We'll narrow the focus further by analyzing your options on the South Fork of the American River in Northern California and the outfitters that operate there.

Smaller outfitters will provide customized benefit to your trip the larger outfitters generally cannot or rather, are not willing to offer. Too, the larger companies have offerings the smaller companies cannot offer.

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.

We recognize the rafting community as a whole, large or small, is professional and serious about their offerings and thus you should be at ease with any professional outfitter for safety and competence.

Second, let's define what we mean by a large outfitter and my a small outfitter. For this article, we'll say large outfitters raft more than 1200 people a year down the river and small outfitters are running 1199 or less.

With 33 outfitters on the South Fork of the American River, there are a lot of rafters. Consistently one of the top rivers rafted in the United States more than 60,000 commercial boaters went down the river in 2008. Of that 60,000 the largest company was nearly 10% of the volume and the smallest less than 1/2% of the total volume.

Sometimes the large companies are so large they book out their permit for a given day and cannot take you rafting but a smaller company could. Moreover, the case is reversed, especially if you're a very small group that wants to raft. Since costs are so high, a small company may not be able to take you and a friend rafting. But, a large company, with loads of guest volume will be more likely able to add you and your friend to a trip that's already running.

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.

Fees: advantage big companies, if they choose to get into a pricing war. On the South Fork of the American River, as we mentioned, there are some 33 companies vying for your attention. Obviously they must be competitive with regard to price, there simply is too much competition. However, there are times where a large company can absorb more costs and run cheaper trips. A situation from 2008 comes to mind. A group asked for pricing from their normal 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 provider and found a larger company willing to give the trip for $199, they chose the larger company. While there are great differences between the two companies in customer service, guide attitude, equipment, the group opted for the lesser price. You must decide what your priorities are and then make your calls.

Simple flexibility in your trip itinerary can be the difference between a large and small company choice. A large company may not be able to adjust their schedule or the order with which the run the river for you, because you may be 1 or 150 rafting that weekend. A smaller company may be able to adjust schedule etc., to help you have the experience you want to have. Perhaps you want to run another river. A small company may or may not be able to make the schedules fit or may not even run the river you wish to see. A larger company may be able to do these things.

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.

Large or small, when it comes to choosing a rafting company, size does matter.

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