Beginner Trips: 

Main Salmon Kayak and Canoe Trip  (August 25^th)

The Main Salmon is a great beginner kayaking river.  This trip offers great big water style pool-drop class III rapids with warmer water.  This combo makes for a great introduction to kayaking.  For a complete beginner we offer a pre-trip roll session at our private reservoir. This will help get you ready for the river, prior to the trip.

7 days:  $1,600 (+ 3%tax and $4/day USFS fee) includes boat rental and instruction.

The Lower Owyhee River Kayak and Canoe Trip  (May 9^th)

Located in eastern Oregon, the Lower Owyhee River, is a beautiful desert river that is excellent for canoeing. There are some good class III rapids, spectacular desert scenery, and great side hikes. This five day trip starts May 24th, just in time to tune up your paddling skills before the summer season goes into full swing. We'll have rafts along to carry the gear, and instructors to give you paddling tips and advice on lines (if you want any).

5 days:  $1,200 (+3%tax and $4/day USFS fee) includes boat rental and instruction.

Intermediate / Advanced Trips:

Middle Fork Kayak Camp (June 7th & 16^th)

June 7-12 and 16-21 on the Middle Fork is a great time for someone with kayak experience to see this great Idaho canyon. Higher flows bring more waves and fun big water style rapids.  There are many great surf opportunities along the way, with a possibility of camping at Marble Creek. The rapid at Marble Creek holds one of the best surf waves in Idaho at the right levels. The Middle Fork is credited for having 100 rapids in 100 miles, and in the spring is like a roller-coaster for most of the trip.  Most of the rapids are class III with some IV, with lots of fun wave trains.  Of the kayak trips that WRO offers this is a great trip for playboaters with some experience. A decent roll is required.  This trip is promoted to kayakers, with rafts providing the camping support. If someone needs a break there will be room on the rafts, but the rafts are mostly there for camping support and to carry the beer. Most people with experience would likely want to bring a play-boat for surfing, but river-running boats would be nice if you are not into playboating. There will also be lots of fun camp games like bocce ball, horseshoes, frisbee, and enjoying beers with friends. This trip begins in Stanley and ends in Salmon Idaho.  This cost includes transportation to and from the river, all meals, kayak guides, guest freestyle coach, and an all around good time.  Not included: transportation to Stanley and from Salmon, kayaks, alcohol or sodas, post trip dinner (optional), and personal gear.  Kayaks can be rented for additional charges (inquire about boats and sizes available).  Camping gear is also available for rent.  Space limited: 14 kayaker limit.

6 days:  $1,400 per person (+ 3% tax and $4/day USFS fee)

Jarbidge / Bruneau River (May 10^th)

If you have been kayaking for awhile and feel comfortable with running continuous class III with some solid class IV here and there this is great trip for you.  This is a small desert river that twists and turns its way through a deep rhyolite gorge in southern Idaho.  The Jarbidge can be exciting with swift water and many great boulder garden style rapids.  This is not a trip of beginner kayakers.  One of the great benefits to joining us on this trip is that there are rafting along to carry all of your personal things, as well as beer.  When going self-support you have to be a minimalist.  On this trip you can bring your regular camping gear.  Also if running this type of river without ever seeing the river makes you nervous, having a kayak guide is great way to ease the fear of missing the pull in at Jarbidge Falls.

6 days:  $1600 per person (+ 3% tax and $4/day USFS fee) no kayak guide or kayak rental.

Kayak Fleet

Jackson Hero – A full on river-runner.  Great for a beginner kayaker just learning, but also a great boat for running harder white-water.  This boat fits an average sized adult (140-190 lbs)

Jackson Fun (2) – This boat is a play-boat, but also paddles well down river.  If you are a go-getter beginner, this is great boat that will not slow you down in your progression.  Also a great boat for more advanced boaters that just like a little more run that todays play-boats have to offer.

Jackson Star – This is one of today’s best play-boats on the market.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s newest play-boating moves, it’s a freestyle machine.  If you can keep up with this boats ability, your going to have a guaranteed good time.

Jackson Sidekick – This is a boat for the kids, or very small adults.  If you have a kid who really wants to learn how to kayak, throw him or her in this boat on any Main Salmon trip with an instructor and watch them go.

Jackson Rocker – This boat is designed for creek boating.  If you are a solid kayaker and would like to jump on a Jarbidge trip, this boat or the hero would be good choice.

Wavesport Project 52 – Another play-boat.  A good play-boat for an average sized adult.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s wave or hole tricks.

Pyranha S6 (190) – This boat is an older play-boat, but it was ahead of it time.  Still a great play-boat for a smaller adult or kids.  Once you have your roll down and want to start getting a little more playful, this could make a good choice.

Pyranha H3 (S) – This kayak is a great river-runner or big water boat for a smaller adult.  This boat has seen some river miles, it knows the way down.

*  Inquire about paddles, spray-skirts, helmets, and other kayaking accessories available.

Instructors

Seth Tonsmeire

Founder of RiverSide Kayak School.  Growing up in the Wilderness River Outfitters family has given me lot of time on the river, rafting and kayaking.  White-water kayaking has been such a great part of my life and is how I spend much of my free time when not working.  I would love to help anyone that has an interest in kayaking get into the sport.  I learned how to kayak on the Main Salmon, which is one reason I think it such a great place to learn.  The warm water and fun (but also gentle) rapids make for the perfect learning environment.  Look forward to seeing you on the water.

Henry Munter

Henry has been kayaking from a very young age.  His father owns Backwood Sports in Ketchum Idaho, this mades for an easy introduction into kayaking.  Henry has kayaked many difficult rivers in many different countries around the world:  Peru, Mexico, Madagascar, Bhutan, Ecuador, Canada, and also looking for new adventures.  A true pleasure to be around, and a solid person to have in the water with you.

Matt Westfall

Matt grew up in the Salmon River area.  He knows the runs of our local rivers well and is a great person to help show you the way down.  After learning how to kayak in high school he was hooked and have been running rivers ever since.