Rafting in Calgary

[urban1]

Im new(er) to Calgary and havent been rafting since being a tourist here years ago.

For both the Elbow and Bow, where do you get on and off the river?

For the Elbow, I know you can get off by Lindsay Park and that you get on the river after the reservoir. But where exactly by the reservoir do you get on? Where can we leave a car and is there a park or something where you get on? Street names would be great.

For the Bow, I know about the weir. Again, can you provide specifics of where in the NW you would get on the river and where before the weir to get out. I run along the path by the river in Inglewood. I see people getting in the river after the weir. How far south do most people go down the river? Is it better to raft starting or ending at the weir?

Thanks for your help. And like I said, being new, Id really appreciate specifs on streets where to park and get in/out of the river.

[ken0042]

I live in the south, so I usually get into the river right where Glenmore and Heritage meet up, and get out around Fish Creek Park. For the times we do the NW leg of the trip, we usually get in at Edworthy Park, and get out at Eau Claire. (link showing the two points in the NW I mentioned)

A few tips I've learned:
- bring plenty of water. It can get warm. Also bring some sort of snack as you could be on the water for hours.
- Appoint a captain of the boat. Yeah, it may seem silly with an inflatable raft with 4 people in it, but when crunch time comes you need one person who can make the call.
- Speaking of crunch time, stay as far away from the bridge tiers as possible. The is a massive current that will draw you towards them. And if you hit one it really hurts; and sometimes kills.

[Burninator]

I go rafting down the Elbow, and we typically park our cars near the 4th street bridge and start in Sandy Beach. Lots of other people do the same as the river is pretty bustling on sunny days. Depending on the river speed it's typically around a 2 hour float, 3 hours if you stop once or twice.

Not sure what kind of rafting your are interest in. But the rafting down the elbow is really relaxed and easy going. Most of the people out there (like myself) are early twenties and are mostly interested in consuming beer and admiring all the fine ladies (which are a plenty). Most everyone uses the cheap inflatable rafts from Canadian Tire and don't wear life jackets. The river is pretty slow (maybe walking speed) and usually no more than 2 feet deep aside from a couple places where you can swim if so interested.

[Bertuzzied]

Just wondering if you can raft from Canmore to Calgary? are there any waterfalls or weirs?

[worth]

i've lived here for nearly 24 years and never been rafting down the river. maybe i should go...

[jar_e]

Not to be a debbie downer of sorts, but just be safe out there and don't do anything stupid. You have to remember that if someone even THINKS you're in trouble and phones 911...you can expect a whole lot of emergency personell coming at you from the roadway, the sky, and the water. Maybe I'm just bitter cause it increases my workload a ton...

[urban1]

Is it hard to stay away from them or does the current pull you toward them?

Originally Posted by ken0042

- Speaking of crunch time, stay as far away from the bridge tiers as possible. The is a massive current that will draw you towards them. And if you hit one it really hurts; and sometimes kills.

[ken0042]

If you are just floating along, you will be drawn towards them. However the strength of the current goes up geopmetrically as you approach the tiers. So if you try and split the difference between two it really only takes one person leasurely paddling to keep you away if you start soon enough.

The two times I've hit- the first I was alone and hit square on. I hit hard enough that I was sure I had broken my arm- like a compound fracture. (turns out I only suffered a hairline fracture.) The second time was with a group, and we hit because 1/2 the boat was paddling to left, the other half to the right. (After which we appointed a captain.)

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya, bring water, what a blast that will be. Also don't forget to pull up your panties and wear your apron.

I take it you've never had a case of dehydration combined with heat exhaustion before.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by fotze

Dedhydration is for pussies.

Maybe really old ones..?

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by fotze

Dedhydration is for pussies.

Not the fun kind, it's not.

[FlamesPuck12]

Anyway, back on topic, last time I went rafting, we started at the Bowness Park and ended near the Calgary Zoo. (Didn't go all the way to the weir). I recommend that you start from the Bowness park because you can park there and the river's easy to access. Its easier to get off near the zoo because the currents slow down if you're near the side and the ground isn't too high, also parking is availiable near the zoo. If you want more info, just send me a PM.

[icarus]

Yeah last time I rafted we went from Bowness Park to about Millenium Park, then played some beach volleyball there.

[STAMPEDRED]

I usually do the same as above... except we get off at 10th street and memorial drive.

One word of caution... I would wait a couple of more weeks for the water levels to drop on the Bow. It really is amazing how the river can pull you into the cement supports for the bridges. You definately need two people to help steer, nearly impossible with just one person unless you have a row boat.

[enthused]

I usually raft on the Elbow, and go from Sandy Beach to the 4th Street Bridge. It makes for a good afternoon, couple of hours on the river, a couple of cold beers, and plenty of sun. If its hot this weekend, I think thats what I will be doing.

[ricosuave]

i cant say about the elbow, but stay off the bow for the next little while.

too high and moving way too fast.