If you would like to raft with me you may contact Ocoee Watersports and request Fast Fred sa your guide via 423-650-6116. You may also book online with these instructions for best results. Visit ocoeewatersports.com and book your rafting trip. Then email your guide request with details like your order # etc to Info@OcoeeWatersports.com and fastfredruddock@gmail.com
If you have any questions or problems during the process please contact me.
I generally work at least from Memorial Day Weekend in May through Labor Day Weekend in September. I plan to work later this season as I plan to stay through the Green Race and election before leaving for South America and another endless summer.Contact me at fastfredruddock@gmail.com or 828-423-0374 to ask questions or verify my availability for the date and river section you have in mind to raft for best results.
I think the best trip is the full river trip including both the class 4 Upper Ocoee and the nearly continuos class 3 Middle Ocoee. Please be aware tips are an important part of my attempt to make a living wage just like other guides. Even green first year guides deserve at least 20% of the cost of the trip. Senior guides like myself have spent many years perfecting our art. Please compensate that effort and experience. My outpost may add kayak instruction and additional services soon. Please contact me directly regarding private instruction.
YouTube: youtube.com/@fastfredruddock
Facebook: facebook.com/fastfred.river.rat
Questions you will want to ask and the answers you need to know before booking that summer rafting trip. These questions are frequently asked by those planning a rafting trip with family or friends. This is a great resource for planning and preparing for your rafting trip.
These questions range from useful and serious to extremely silly. But no dumb questions gets unanswered here. Topics range from all stages of planning to the execution of the trip. How you book your rafting trip is an important part of the process of making the most of the experience. Get tips for what to ask before handing over your money. Also learn about the parts of the raft and about your three pieces of river gear. Paddle commands and other useful information is also included. You may also detect some guide humor.
Carefully planning you rafting trip in advance will greatly improve your whitewater rafting experience. Having the right guide can make or break your rafting adventure. I am well aware of this and I want to help you make informed decisions and have reasonable expectations about your rafting trip. I have been adding more to the Question and Answer section over the last couple of years. If you have any questions about rafting the Ocoee River or even just the surrounding area and things to do in East Tennessee and North Georgia please submit them to fastfredruddock@gmail.com
I like to give back to my communities. During 2016 began work on this Ocoee River Guidebook. It first began covering just the Middle Ocoee with the intent of helping future Middle Ocoee guides pass training a little faster. It was basically created as a study aid. The scope of the guidebook has expanded over time now covering both the Upper and Middle sections. The guidebook provides routes through rapids as well as videos demonstrating routes. Now this guidebook even explores hydrology and some of the hazards of the Ocoee River. Video presentation of the features of interest are conducted at low water and at times with cameras underwater. A team is only as strong as the weakest link. Whitewater teams need to help strengthen their weakest links for the enjoyment and safety of all.
As a result of guidng on the Ocoee River for well over a decade I have reviews at many outposts. I really appreciate feedback and reviews. I was kayaking class 5 whitewater before I ever threw my name in the hat as a kayak instructor and raft guide.
Keep in mind while reading reviews on the internet that often guests forget where they went rafting but often remember their guide. As a result of this I have reviews at many outposts. And I did merc at many outposts in the past as well. Because there are two dozen Ocoee River rafting companies folks can get confused by all the names and many are very similar.
That said having the right guide with the right skill set can make or break your rafting experience. These customer reviews should shine some light on my methods and ways. Additionally you will find recent rafting trip videos on my YouTube channels. Make an informed decision.