Silly Questions Guests Have Asked River Guides
Believe it or not, these are real questions asked by guests on the Ocoee River. While there are no stupid questions when it comes to safety, some inquiries definitely provide comic relief for the guides! Many of these questions come from first-time rafters who are just beginning to explore the Ocoee River FAQ to understand the basics of a commercial trip.
As a veteran guide and ACA-certified instructor, I've found that even the "silliest" questions often stem from a genuine curiosity about how the river works. Whether guests are asking about the anatomy of a whitewater raft or how we navigate through big water, providing clear answers is part of the professional standard. For those looking to move beyond the basics and into the technical side of the sport, my Middle Ocoee Guidebook offers a deep dive into the 27 rapids we navigate every day.
While we enjoy the humor, safety remains the core of every trip. Understanding swiftwater safety protocols and the inherent risks of the river is vital for every participant. By examining the technical Ocoee River Hydrology of famous drops like Broken Nose and Table Saw, you can see the serious science that allows us to have so much fun on the water.
Does the river loop back here to the put-in?
Well now, this is not Disney World, Six Flags, Dollywood, or the Whitewater Center. Nature carved this river and it strictly runs downhill following the laws of physics.
I can swim. Why do I need a life jacket?
The personal flotation device is required by Tennessee law and enforced by Tennessee State Park rangers. In addition to helping you float, the PFD also provides impact protection.
Have you ever seen a raft pop?
I have personally observed a few rookies damage tubes and cause partial deflation of the outer tube or floor. These events are rare and generally only occur when rafts wander well off the desired lines or routes.
Have you ever fallen out?
Yes, all guides have fallen out and swam at some point. Falling out and swimming is part of rafting and does happen.
I want to paddle the whole time, especially going down rapids?
It is great that you want to participate. However, it is very important to follow your guide's paddle commands both for safety and fun. Failure to follow defeats the purpose of having a guide and increases the inherent risks of rafting.
What happens if the boat falls off the track?
The Ocoee is a natural riverbed and not part of a man-made amusement park. There are no tracks and the riverbed is natural with the exception of the Olympic Course.
Which way is downstream?
Downstream is the direction the water is flowing.
Isn't the take out the same place as put in?
No, the take-out for the Middle Ocoee is five miles downstream of the put-in. The takeout for the Full River trip is ten miles downstream of the put-in.
Why would someone want to be stuck in a raft when they could be in a kayak?
Most kayakers would much rather kayak than raft. However, it takes a significant commitment to gain the skills required to navigate the Ocoee River successfully. It also requires a moderate investment of about $2,000 to acquire the equipment needed to kayak the Ocoee River.
When does the tide come in?
Ha ha, the Ocoee River is located 2,120 feet above sea level. Thus there is no tidal rising or falling of water.
What happens when the coffin gets closed?
The guide holds onto the raft to aid in recovering the equipment he or she is responsible for. As a result, the guide will not be acting as a lifeguard due to this obligation. This is one of the reasons why it is critical to follow all paddle commands to avoid flips and swims.
What is a dump truck?
A dump truck occurs when the entire crew is ejected but the guide manages to hang on.
Why do rafts flip?
Soft thwarts, hard tubes, bad behavior of guide or guests.
Why did we get stuck on a rock?
Well that could be a combination of factors. Your guide might be daydreaming. Or the crew might be daydreaming or otherwise slow to follow paddle commands. Or maybe the raft is loaded really heavy and is dragging on the riverbed.
How do I flush the toilet at the put-in?
There is no need to flush vault toilets.
Why are the trees taller the further they are from the river?
This is a rather odd question. Could it be perception of the trees growing along the slope?
How long does it take to get all of the way back to the put-in?
If you are a private boater it takes as long as loading the shuttle vehicle and driving back to the put-in. The drive from the private boater take-out to the put-in is less than six miles.
How deep is it here?
Guests often ask how deep the Ocoee River is and the answer varies depending upon the location. In general, the Ocoee River is typical of a shallow and technical southeastern river.
Is it true what they say about raft guides?
I don't know. What do they say?
Why are these PFDs all wet?
During busy days in the peak season all the Personal Flotation Devices might be in use during the day and some folks will get wet ones in the afternoon. But don't worry, at my outpost we clean and sanitize the PFDs after every trip.
Why are we going backwards?
Maybe your guide is scared and doesn't want to see what's coming. Or maybe the guide thinks the crew might be scared if they saw what was coming. Or more seriously, maybe the raft hit a rock or strong eddy line and spun backwards. Sometimes it is better to just go with it rather than chancing hitting a rock or big hole sideways.
How do we get back to where we started?
If you are a private boater you will need to set shuttle. If you are taking a commercial rafting trip you will not be returning to the put-in but rather will return to the outpost after your trip.
Why do some rafts get stuck on rocks so often?
That's a good question that could have more than one answer. It could be the guide is really green and doesn't know the river. Or maybe the crew is not following paddle commands, or perhaps a very heavy crew in a raft dragging over shallow rocks in some of the lines.
Do we go down the waterfall?
Read the signs at the top of the dam. If you really want to run the dam your guides will be waiting at the ramp below LOL!
Does the Ocoee River have Class 5 rapids?
No, there are no Class V rapids on the Ocoee River. The Middle Ocoee is a Class III river at levels commercially rafted. The Upper Ocoee contains six Class IV rapids those being Mikey's, Blue Hole, Callahan's, Godzilla, Humongous, and Roach Motel.
A young boy asked me while pointing upstream... Why are all the rocks going that way?
The law of gravity comes to mind but this was an odd question. Some kids need more time outside.
