Frequently Asked Questions
What do guides use for safety equipment?
Each of North Woods Rafting’s guides is equipped with a high float Swiftwater Ranger PFD (life vest) which has safety features that allow our guides to conduct rescues on the river if necessary. Each raft is also equipped with a rescue throw rope and a comprehensive adventure first aid kit which carries everything needed in an emergency.
How much time is actually spent on the water?
The term half-day trips can be deceiving! Ask yourself how much time you would expect to spend white water rafting when you reserve a white water rafting trip. North Woods Rafting offers 2 runs on a half-day trip (at least 2 – 2.5 hours). Ample time is spent on the water, but do keep in mind that you will be spending some quality time being shuttled to and from the river, and enjoying your meal.
Do all boats have a guide?
Yes! Safety is our utmost priority. We understand a lot of people are new to white water which is why they book with us. The sections that we run are fun for all but if you do not know your way around a boat or are new to the experience, we have got you covered. Whether you are rafting or in one of our inflatable white water kayaks (called ducky's) you will have a guide with you at all times.
Are helmets required for guests?
Yes! We know they look goofy, but we value your brain! The Androscoggin River is a rocky river and guests can fall out of boats in the white water. We have seen people come out of the Andro with head injuries. The safest way to prevent a head injury is to wear a helmet.
Do your guides wear helmets?
We require our guests to wear helmets to protect their heads and we require our guides to do the same. A guide with a head injury will be no good to a boat full of guests in whitewater!
How much time will I spend in rafting company vehicles?
While it sounds good when a rafting company provides all transportation, that service can be less of a benefit than you might think. Every rafting company in the Great North Woods (Gorham, Berlin, Milan, Errol) rafts the same sections of river. Some companies meet you at the river and some at a rafting shop. While we are the closest as far as travel time out of all the raft companies in the area, a short ride of 8 minutes to the put in for our rafting trips, to 25 minutes to get to the put in for weekday float trips can be expected. North Woods Rafting's company vans and other vehicles are used to transport you to the river on weekend and weekday trips regardless of your location.
Will my car get wet?
No! Your car will be left in a safe spot and you won’t have to get in it at all in your wet rafting clothes! After rafting, we'll transport you directly to our base of operations so you can change into warm, dry clothes before enjoying your food.
Will I fall out of the raft?
There is a chance of this, it is white water rafting after all! We love to swim! Before any trip gets on the water, there is an extensive safety talk that is done for all guests headed up by the lead guide for the day. They will cover what to do in the chance you fall in as well as what they will do to get you back into the boat as quicly and safely as possible while also keeping everyone else who is still in the boat safe as well.
Each of North Woods Rafting’s guides is equipped with a high float Swiftwater Ranger PFD (life vest) which has safety features that allow our guides to conduct rescues on the river if necessary. Each raft is also equipped with a rescue throw rope and a comprehensive adventure first aid kit which carries everything needed in an emergency.
How much time is actually spent on the water?
The term half-day trips can be deceiving! Ask yourself how much time you would expect to spend white water rafting when you reserve a white water rafting trip. North Woods Rafting offers 2 runs on a half-day trip (at least 2 – 2.5 hours). Ample time is spent on the water, but do keep in mind that you will be spending some quality time being shuttled to and from the river, and enjoying your meal.
Do all boats have a guide?
Yes! Safety is our utmost priority. We understand a lot of people are new to white water which is why they book with us. The sections that we run are fun for all but if you do not know your way around a boat or are new to the experience, we have got you covered. Whether you are rafting or in one of our inflatable white water kayaks (called ducky's) you will have a guide with you at all times.
Are helmets required for guests?
Yes! We know they look goofy, but we value your brain! The Androscoggin River is a rocky river and guests can fall out of boats in the white water. We have seen people come out of the Andro with head injuries. The safest way to prevent a head injury is to wear a helmet.
Do your guides wear helmets?
We require our guests to wear helmets to protect their heads and we require our guides to do the same. A guide with a head injury will be no good to a boat full of guests in whitewater!
How much time will I spend in rafting company vehicles?
While it sounds good when a rafting company provides all transportation, that service can be less of a benefit than you might think. Every rafting company in the Great North Woods (Gorham, Berlin, Milan, Errol) rafts the same sections of river. Some companies meet you at the river and some at a rafting shop. While we are the closest as far as travel time out of all the raft companies in the area, a short ride of 8 minutes to the put in for our rafting trips, to 25 minutes to get to the put in for weekday float trips can be expected. North Woods Rafting's company vans and other vehicles are used to transport you to the river on weekend and weekday trips regardless of your location.
Will my car get wet?
No! Your car will be left in a safe spot and you won’t have to get in it at all in your wet rafting clothes! After rafting, we'll transport you directly to our base of operations so you can change into warm, dry clothes before enjoying your food.
Will I fall out of the raft?
There is a chance of this, it is white water rafting after all! We love to swim! Before any trip gets on the water, there is an extensive safety talk that is done for all guests headed up by the lead guide for the day. They will cover what to do in the chance you fall in as well as what they will do to get you back into the boat as quicly and safely as possible while also keeping everyone else who is still in the boat safe as well.