Frequently Asked Questions
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| Frequently Asked Questions: Everything you need to know about our trips. |
What is a whitewater rafting trip like? Fun, excitement, adventure all rolled into one! All of our guides are trained to
tailor your rafting experience to meet your level of adventure. We want to make your rafting trip truly yours, not just a
preplanned trip. We are here to help you relax and have fun, and we do this by taking care for the whole trip for you, from
start to finish we are here to make your trip incredible. Your guide is an expert in not only navigation and bringing you the
exciting trip that you want, but they are also trained in the fascinating and remarkable history of the South Fork of the
American River. From the climate and geology, to the histories of the Native Americans and the gold rush, our guides
share a passion for every aspect of an adventure. Your adventure will take you miles away from everyday stress to a
place where the raw power of nature combines with good people and good fun to create memories that will last a
lifetime. At Pirate Rafting Company the memories that our adventures create form a powerful bond with the people you
meet on your trip. Even if you come with a group of friends or family, your adventure will help cement those bonds which
you have already created. Many people even choose to bring their office on trips to further strengthen their teamwork and
relationships with their co-workers. No matter who you are or where you come from the memories that you create on
your adventure will last you a lifetime.
What is this upper and lower river stuff? The South Fork of the American River is divided into two unique sections, the
upper section and the lower section. These sections each have their own unique characteristics, rapids, histories, and
appeal to them. In or many years of experience on the river we have tried to find out what section provides the best value
for our clients. In our experience the upper section of the river provides the best value for our clients, while still providing
a fantastic rafting experience. This is why we have chosen to focus on upper river trips for our clients.
How Long does a rafting trip take? Our first answer is generally “We are on river time, does it matter?” However, we do
realize that our clients are busy people and there’ s a lot going on in your life so here is our not so simple, simple
formula: it depends on which section of the river you choose to adventure on and the water levels. For an upper section
it generally takes 3-4 hours from put-in to take-out. On a lower section it generally takes 4-6 hours from put-in to take-
out. Our start times also vary depending on the season and water flows, typically you should expect to show up about
1.5 to 2 hours before your trip to check in and get ready to raft. If you have any questions feel free to ask us, we are
happy to answer any questions you may have about your trip.
Who can go whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River? Our age only age restriction is that you must
be 8 years old or older to raft and over 60lbs. We also recommend that any one with health problems consult a
physician before taking a rafting trip. We do not recommend a rafting trip to anyone with severe health problems.
How Should I dress for the river? Usually, in the core of the season, swim suits and good water shoes (Any light
weight footwear that will stay on your foot even with lots of movement) are what we recommend. In the early season, we
offer wet suit rentals in camp. In the early season the water tends to be colder and the weather is milder, and
depending on weather conditions we, at any time, may make wetsuits mandatory to go down the river. We also
recommend hats and sunscreen.
What should I bring with me? We will take care of all of the details of your trip. We do recommend that you bring
Sunscreen and Sunglasses, also if you have any medications or important medical supplies that you must bring just let
us know and our guides will take care of what ever you need.
Can we bring food on our trip? If you are on a trip with no food included you are welcome to bring food with you as you
will probably be hungry at the end of your trip. There are also many historic and scenic areas near the river to enjoy a
picnic if you like, at the end of your trip, and if you have any questions about bringing food or food service just ask us and
we can let you know what would be appropriate. It is possible to arrange food service; however we will need some
advance notice (typically 10 days).
What if I want to camp? Camping is possible through our partner company. If you would like to add camping to your trip
it is possible for us to arrange it, however we will need advance notice (typically 10 days).
When can I go Rafting? Our rafting season runs between late April and early September every day of the week except
Wednesday. Just let us know when and what part of the river and you will be rafting in no time.
How do I sign up? Just enter your information in the boxes to the left and we will give you a call, or you can call us a
(530) 306-9883.
tailor your rafting experience to meet your level of adventure. We want to make your rafting trip truly yours, not just a
preplanned trip. We are here to help you relax and have fun, and we do this by taking care for the whole trip for you, from
start to finish we are here to make your trip incredible. Your guide is an expert in not only navigation and bringing you the
exciting trip that you want, but they are also trained in the fascinating and remarkable history of the South Fork of the
American River. From the climate and geology, to the histories of the Native Americans and the gold rush, our guides
share a passion for every aspect of an adventure. Your adventure will take you miles away from everyday stress to a
place where the raw power of nature combines with good people and good fun to create memories that will last a
lifetime. At Pirate Rafting Company the memories that our adventures create form a powerful bond with the people you
meet on your trip. Even if you come with a group of friends or family, your adventure will help cement those bonds which
you have already created. Many people even choose to bring their office on trips to further strengthen their teamwork and
relationships with their co-workers. No matter who you are or where you come from the memories that you create on
your adventure will last you a lifetime.
What is this upper and lower river stuff? The South Fork of the American River is divided into two unique sections, the
upper section and the lower section. These sections each have their own unique characteristics, rapids, histories, and
appeal to them. In or many years of experience on the river we have tried to find out what section provides the best value
for our clients. In our experience the upper section of the river provides the best value for our clients, while still providing
a fantastic rafting experience. This is why we have chosen to focus on upper river trips for our clients.
How Long does a rafting trip take? Our first answer is generally “We are on river time, does it matter?” However, we do
realize that our clients are busy people and there’ s a lot going on in your life so here is our not so simple, simple
formula: it depends on which section of the river you choose to adventure on and the water levels. For an upper section
it generally takes 3-4 hours from put-in to take-out. On a lower section it generally takes 4-6 hours from put-in to take-
out. Our start times also vary depending on the season and water flows, typically you should expect to show up about
1.5 to 2 hours before your trip to check in and get ready to raft. If you have any questions feel free to ask us, we are
happy to answer any questions you may have about your trip.
Who can go whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River? Our age only age restriction is that you must
be 8 years old or older to raft and over 60lbs. We also recommend that any one with health problems consult a
physician before taking a rafting trip. We do not recommend a rafting trip to anyone with severe health problems.
How Should I dress for the river? Usually, in the core of the season, swim suits and good water shoes (Any light
weight footwear that will stay on your foot even with lots of movement) are what we recommend. In the early season, we
offer wet suit rentals in camp. In the early season the water tends to be colder and the weather is milder, and
depending on weather conditions we, at any time, may make wetsuits mandatory to go down the river. We also
recommend hats and sunscreen.
What should I bring with me? We will take care of all of the details of your trip. We do recommend that you bring
Sunscreen and Sunglasses, also if you have any medications or important medical supplies that you must bring just let
us know and our guides will take care of what ever you need.
Can we bring food on our trip? If you are on a trip with no food included you are welcome to bring food with you as you
will probably be hungry at the end of your trip. There are also many historic and scenic areas near the river to enjoy a
picnic if you like, at the end of your trip, and if you have any questions about bringing food or food service just ask us and
we can let you know what would be appropriate. It is possible to arrange food service; however we will need some
advance notice (typically 10 days).
What if I want to camp? Camping is possible through our partner company. If you would like to add camping to your trip
it is possible for us to arrange it, however we will need advance notice (typically 10 days).
When can I go Rafting? Our rafting season runs between late April and early September every day of the week except
Wednesday. Just let us know when and what part of the river and you will be rafting in no time.
How do I sign up? Just enter your information in the boxes to the left and we will give you a call, or you can call us a
(530) 306-9883.
