All Rafting Participants Must:

• Wear company provided helmet and company provided personal flotation device (PFD).*
• Independently roll face up in water while wearing a PFD.
• Demonstrate dynamic sitting position with head above water (sitting upright), and float with feet up in water.

*Our helmets fit a maximum head circumference of 62cm (24.4 inches). Our PFDs fit a maximum chest size of 56 inches.

All Paddlesports Instruction Participants:

• Must wear an instructor approved whitewater specific helmet when deemed appropriate and US Coast Guard approved flotation device (PFD) while on the water.*
• Independently roll face up in water while wearing a PFD.
• Demonstrate dynamic sitting position with head above water (sitting upright), and float with feet up in water.

*Personal equipment will be inspected by our instructors for fit and appropriateness for expected conditions, gear in need of repair or showing signs of damage may be disallowed.

For flatwater:

• Be able to perform a self-rescue after capsizing by remaining calm, getting oriented, and following instructor directions.
• *Helmets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are optional in our pool sessions but encouraged.

For river focused kayak, canoe and SUP clinics

• Be able to paddle for continuous periods of time without rest.
• Be able to perform a self-rescue after capsizing by remaining calm, orienting their body in current, keeping their feet at the surface of the water, and pulling a capsized boat to shore and/or swimming aggressively to shore in the classification of water advertised in the course description.
• On our more experienced clinics/trips, longer unexpected swims in rapids are possible, and guests need to be prepared to self-rescue by swimming aggressively to shore and/or be prepared to receive a throw rope from shore.

Don't forget to read your confirmation letter - there is a lot of useful information in there!

Call our office at 413.339.4010 if you have any additional questions - we're always happy to help!

• A full payment is due on the day you book your reservation.
• When paying by check or money order, the appropriate payment must be received within 10 days of booking a trip.

• More than 30 days in advance of your trip date, we retain a $10 per person cancellation fee and hold the processing fee.
• 30 days or less in advance of your trip date, you forfeit the entire cost of your trip.
• Money forfeited may not be applied to any outstanding balances.

All reservations are transferable to another person, but not another date. Transferring to another date is considered the same as cancelling.

Cancellation Insurance allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before a trip or a lodging/camping stay and receive a full refund (minus the Cancellation Insurance and Processing Fee) or transfer your reservation to another date.

Cancellation insurance must be purchased at the time that an initial reservation is made and must be taken by all members of a group.

No-shows on the date of the trip or last-minute cancellations are not covered by cancellation insurance.

Tax will be added to rental and lodging reservations as required by state law. Our Reservation software provider adds a processing fee to all reservations.

While we have an excellent record, the sports of whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking have inherent risks; accidents can and do occur. For this reason, we cannot assume responsibility for injury or loss of property. Participants in all activities will be required to sign a waiver stating that they are aware of the risks involved and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Pregnant people are prohibited from participation in Zoar Outdoor activities. Those with health problems limiting their normal activities may be prohibited from participation at Zoar Outdoor’s discretion.

Please note that many of the areas we operate in are rural and have poor or non-existent cell service (including most of the Deerfield River), so emergency communications and emergency service response times may be as much as an hour or more away.

Zoar Outdoor cannot be responsible for supervision of minors when they are not actively participating in our programs. At all times, supervision of minors is the responsibility of the group leaders, parents or guardians.

The following statement is required by state law: “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.”

We do not use nuts in our food, but cannot guarantee that the ingredients in our meals do not contain nuts or other food allergens. If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, we strongly suggest you bring your own bag lunch in non-glass containers and we will pack it with the other lunches on your trip. Please inform our office at 413-339-4010 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you intend to bring your own lunch.

The use of recreational drugs or alcohol is prohibited on all trips. If you arrive at Zoar Outdoor under the influence, you will be prohibited from participating in the day’s activity and no refund will be given.

River Trips (Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing)

Zoar Outdoor river trips go out regardless of the weather with the exception of weather or water conditions deemed dangerous by Zoar Outdoor. Any decision to cancel, move or postpone a trip will be made the morning of the trip at Zoar Outdoor. We reserve the right to move a trip to another location or river section at our discretion. In the event we must cancel a trip for any reason, you will receive a full refund.

In the event of cancellation prior to your trip, you have the option to refund or reschedule. If your trip is cancelled during the activity, you will receive a pro-rated refund or credit based on the location where you were evacuated from.