White Water Responsibility act & Guest Responsibilities
Rafting ranges from relaxing float trips to extreme whitewater. Outfitters & guests share responsibility to make rafting trips as fun & safe as possible.| West Virginia's Whitewater Responsibility Act | Rafting Guest Responsibilities |
Whitewater Responsibility Act of WV
This is the law and outlines your duties as a participant.(a) Participants have a duty to act as would a reasonably prudent person when engaging in recreational activities offered by commercial white water outfitters and commercial white water guides in the state.
(b) No participant may:
(1) Board upon or embark upon any commercial white water expedition when intoxicated or under the influence of nonintoxicating beer, intoxicating beverages or controlled substances; or
(2) Fail to advise the trip leader or the trip guide of any known health problems or medical disability and any prescribed medication that may be used in the treatment of such health problems during the course of the commercial white water expedition; or
(3) Engage in harmful conduct or willfully or negligently engage in any type of conduct which contributes to or causes injury to any person or personal property; or
(4) Perform any act which interferes with the safe running and operation of the expedition, including failure to use safety equipment provided by the commercial white water outfitter or failure to follow the instructions of the trip leader or trip guide in regard to the safety measures and conduct requested of the participants; or
(5) Fail to inform or notify the trip guide or trip leader of any incident or accident involving personal injury or illness experienced during the course of any commercial white water expedition. If such injury or illness occurs, the participant shall leave personal identification, including name and address, with the commercial white water outfitter’s agent or employee.
White Water - Release Forms
Before participating, everyone is required to complete a release form, which includes a waiver of liability, an assumption of risk and an indemnification.- Read the Class VI-Mountain River Release Form (PDF download)
ALL MINORS not accompanied by parent or legal guardian need to bring on the day of the trip, a Class VI - Mountain River release form signed by their parent or legal guardian in order to participate. If this applies to your or your group, please call for the required form or Print out the form, and bring it signed the day of the trip.
What Are My Responsibilites as a Raft Guest?
Whitewater rafting and many of the other adventure activities we offer on our website occur in the outdoors and may be hours from advanced medical care. Each activity has inherent dangers. The State of West Virginia has a Whitewater Responsibility Act which includes guest responsibilities. Below, we also recommend the following:- To be able to speak and understand spoken English or have someone in your group who can translate for you.
- To be comfortable in water while wearing a PFD (personal floation device). (PDF Maximum Chest Size is 52")
- To be able to swim (if you plan to raft the Upper Gauley River, the Lower Gauley River or the Lower New River from March thru June 15th).
- If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether you are physically able to participate on a whitewater rafting trip, consult your physician prior to your arrival date.
- If you make an on-line reservation, we recommend that you still contact our office prior to your arrival date by phone to confirm all details.
