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Dryway Rafting

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Experience Class IV rafting excitement close to home on the Deerfield River’s most exciting section, the Monroe Bridge Dryway. Combining the rush of advanced whitewater, the beauty of the northern Berkshires and the camaraderie of a paddling adventure, a Dryway rafting trip will be the highlight of your summer.

AGE

14+

DURATION

Under 5 Hours

SEASON

May - October

LOCATION

7 Main Street, Charlemont MA

INTENSITY

Wild

Typical Day

We raft a section of class III and IV whitewater on the Deerfield River in Northwestern Massachusetts. This trip meets at our base in Charlemont, Massachusetts and we put in below the #5 Station Dam and finish the trip at Dunbar Brook in Florida, MA. The trip usually takes about 4.5 hours overall, including registration, transportation to the river, a river side snack, a home cooked meal served at our base, and a slide show of your run through the biggest rapids.

Please be on time, since we must work within the schedule of water releases decided on by the power company. You will be required to read and sign a release of liability.

All guests will be required to wear a Zoar Outdoor issued PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and helmet. You will also be provided with a paddle.

Looking to do multiple activities during your visit? Try one of our single day Adventure Packages, or call the office to custom build your own multi-day experience.

What to Bring

Expect everything you bring on the raft to get wet!

Best options for clothing:

  • Bathing suit and/or shorts in the warmer weather, long pants and sweater made of wool, nylon, fleece, or polypropylene in the colder weather.
  • Sneakers or other shoes that can get wet and can remain securely on your feet during a whitewater swim.  (Bare feet and flip-flops are not allowed)
  • Avoid cotton clothing such as blue jeans, sweatshirts, or t-shirts as cotton keeps you cold when it gets wet and are not appropriate for this activity.
  • We provide all the in-raft equipment!

A few more details:

  • Wetsuits, splash jackets, and neoprene river booties are available for rental if you need them. Call our office or inquire when you arrive, and we’ll get you set-up!
  • Bring any required medications as well as extra money for souvenirs or any other goodies.
  • Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration; we’ll collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, and then return them to you when you get back to Zoar.

Pre-Trip Requirements

Adventurers on the Dryway Trip must be 14 years old or older. 

For all of our whitewater trips, guests must be able/willing to do the following:

  • Wear a helmet and our personal flotation device (PFD)
  • Respond to and follow verbal or visual instruction
  • Roll from front to back in water while wearing a PFD
  • Demonstrate dynamic sitting position (sitting upright), and float with feet up in water.
  • Be able to walk on rocky, uneven ground and descend staircases with no railings.

Specifically, for our Dryway trip, guests should:

  • Be able to paddle in rapids for up to 2 minutes at a time
  • Remain calm, lay flat, and orient their body so their feet are aiming downstream if they find themselves unexpectedly in the water
  • Be okay with a long, unexpected swim in rocky class III/IV rapids.
  • Be prepared to self-rescue by swimming aggressively to shore or other rafts, and/or be prepared to receive a throw rope from shore.

Our PFDs fit a maximum chest size of 56 inches.

Remember to read your confirmation letter (there is a lot of useful information in there!).

Call our office if you have any additional questions: 413-339-4010. They’re always happy to help!

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