Rafting the Bow

[ken0042]

^^ Thanks- that actually answers two questions I had about "what the heck are they doing there?"

[Wormius]

I have gone down the Bow before in a raft that wr ented from the Outdoor Centre, but I kinda wonder why it isn't allowed to go down on just anything The rules seem to be pretty strict in Calgary. Is it really that dangerous or are they protecting against having to rescue folks who can't swim?

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I have gone down the Bow before in a raft that wr ented from the Outdoor Centre, but I kinda wonder why it isn't allowed to go down on just anything The rules seem to be pretty strict in Calgary. Is it really that dangerous or are they protecting against having to rescue folks who can't swim?

If regulations were lax, I think it would take about 3 warm hours in the summer before there were multiple incidents prompting public outcry for regulation.

It's a pretty reasonable balance right now - a bit like photo radar. It sucks if you get caught, but you probably should have been paying enough attention to see the obvious trap ahead.

[GGG]

On the elbow the life jacket, paddle, and bailer reg is ridiculous. The bow though is a real river with real hazards where you need a paddle.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I have gone down the Bow before in a raft that wr ented from the Outdoor Centre, but I kinda wonder why it isn't allowed to go down on just anything The rules seem to be pretty strict in Calgary. Is it really that dangerous or are they protecting against having to rescue folks who can't swim?

The water temperatures are pretty low for recreational swimming around. Cramping, loss of muscle coordination in fast flowing, deep water is dangerous. Add in natural hazards like submerged logs, chunks of culvert from the 2013 flood, barbed wire, it certainly wouldn't be comfortable just bobbing down the Bow.

[FireGilbert]

Back in my university days my friends and I would raft from Banff to Canmore at least a couple times per summer. We'd rent rafts in Calgary and then drop a car off just before the bridge in Canmore before heading to the bottom of Bow Falls. The trip was about 4 hours with breathtaking scenery, crystal clear water, and no Calgary Police. There were a few spots where the current increased and you needed to paddle to avoid fallen trees but most of the journey was a slow casual float.

Rafting in Calgary is pretty awesome too though. Bowness or Shouldice to Princes Island or the Zoo is great if you don't have much time. For some reason I have never done the south portion of the river but Carburn to Sikome would probably be fun too.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Back in my university days my friends and I would raft from Banff to Canmore at least a couple times per summer. We'd rent rafts in Calgary and then drop a car off just before the bridge in Canmore before heading to the bottom of Bow Falls. The trip was about 4 hours with breathtaking scenery, crystal clear water, and no Calgary Police. There were a few spots where the current increased and you needed to paddle to avoid fallen trees but most of the journey was a slow casual float.

Rafting in Calgary is pretty awesome too though. Bowness or Shouldice to Princes Island or the Zoo is great if you don't have much time. For some reason I have never done the south portion of the river but Carburn to Sikome would probably be fun too.

The biggest advantage of floating from Glenmore boat launch is that it is a real boat launch, you can back right up to the river's edge. Fish Creek (2hrs)/Policeman's Flats(4+ hrs)/McKinnon Flats (6+ hrs) are good take out points again with boat launches.

Added bonus, I have never seen CPS below Glenmore, not that you should be out there without all the required equipment, but it is nice to be able to have a few beers without being bothered. CFD patrols down to the 22x bridge, so they will check on your life jacket from time to time. They have never been concerned about the cooler in the boat.

A big thank you to the Calgary Fire Department for all the work they do on the Bow. Following the flooding in 2013 they have done lots of work to clear hazards, and it is always comforting to see them out there, and know help is close at hand. They are always quick with a friendly wave, and as long as you can show them a life jacket, they are happy. Their role on the river seems to be promoting safety, while CPS on the river seems to limit their activities to policing/revenue generating.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Flacker

Their role on the river seems to be promoting safety, while CPS on the river seems to limit their activities to policing/revenue generating.

Not sure that's a fair assessment - I've never seen anything but friendly encounters with CPS on the rivers. I'd actually be happy if they clamped down just a little bit harder on the jackasses.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Not sure that's a fair assessment - I've never seen anything but friendly encounters with CPS on the rivers. I'd actually be happy if they clamped down just a little bit harder on the jackasses.

I'm not implying that they aren't friendly, I have never had any issues with them, and I realize that is their primary function. I just think they could learn from the positive example that the Fire Department sets on the river. Granted, CFD has been on the river for a lot longer than the police.