Kicking Horse White Water Rafting in Golden, BC: Full Review of Hydra River Guides
Following is everything you need to know about Kicking Horse white water rafting in Golden, British Columbia (BC) from someone who has experienced it (and loved it).
This is one of the most honest Kicking Horse white water rafting reviews of Hydra River Guides including why they are the best company to choose, their safety precautions, how to get there, what to expect and why it’s a MUST if you’re in British Columbia / Alberta, Canada!
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What is White Water Rafting?
White Water Rafting is the ultimate water sport for adrenalin junkies.
With a guide and your friends you hop onto an inflatable raft with your own paddle and journey down a rapid river full of waves.
The Canadian Rockies (between BC and Alberta) is one of best places to go white water rafting for water fun with beautiful backdrops and wildlife to spot.
About Kicking Horse River & Hydra River Guides
Kicking Horse is a 80km long river in British Columbia near the town of Golden known for the best white water rafting Canada has to offer right through the Canadian Rocky Mountains and part of Yoho National Park.
It received its name for an expedition surgeon, James Hector, who was kicked by his horse at the time of exploring the area.
Hydra River Guides is one of the very best companies to go rafting in Alberta and BC! They have been around for over 30 years and offer Canadian Rockies whitewater rafting fun through 22km of the river. The company is well known, very popular and has excellent facilities, equipments and guides. I met four of their guides who were very experienced, reassuring, professional and fun!
Let’s go rafting Kicking Horse river!
**Kicking Horse white water rafting Golden BC tours are available between May and September.
Hydra River Guides Rafting Review
Let me start by saying this was incredible. I was so hesitant at first as I knew nothing about the activity as well as the company or tour but it turned out to be the best company and best white water rafting in BC!
What A Kicking Horse River White Water Rafting Day Looks Like
- Get yourself to the Hydra River Guides Base half an hour before the tour start time
- Check in and sign the waiver form
- (There are picnic benches, volleyball court and balls to keep yourself entertained before the safety talk)
- Meet for the safety talk and instructions by one of the guides
- Get yourself suited up with all the clothing, helmet and equipment provided
- Take a team photo before heading to the river
- Aboard the rafts
- Gently flow down the first parts of the river, getting to know instructions on what to do, speaking to your guide and taking in the scenery
- Enjoy a few rapids
- Pull over for the go ahead before the big rapids
- Head out again for one of the best afternoons you’ll never forget!
- Aboard the bus back to base
- Check out your photos taken from the professionals
How to Get to Hydra River Guides Base
There is no white water rafting in Banff but this is the closest facility to Banff and other Alberta and BC white water rafting so read the directions and get yourself booked on!
Getting to the Hydra River Guides base is only accessible by driving. But driving here is simple regardless of where you’re coming from.
Golden to Kicking Horse: 25 minutes / 29 km
Banff to Kicking Horse: 1.5 hours / 115 km
Jasper to Kicking Horse: 3 hours / 284 km
Calgary to Kicking Horse: 2 hours, 45 minutes / 239 km
Renting a car in Canada is easy. Use discover cars here to find the cheapest option for your rental car within Alberta or British Columbia.
Address: 2936 Kicking Horse Road, Golden, BC
Note on driving here: Take Beaverfoot Road exit, off Hwy #1
On arrival, head to the office to check in and sign the waiver forms before having your induction, getting your equipment and starting the Kicking Horse river rafting!
What The Tour Provides
- Hydra River Guides provides an expert guide with you every second of the tour to steer you down the river
- An important safety talk and instructions. Note: this part is quite terrifying but necessary and important!
- A helmet which they help you find the right size and help you wear it
- A full wetsuit (this is sleeveless)
- A spray jacket (I advise wearing this because it can get cold once you hit the kicking horse river whitewater rafting)
- Special wet shoes (make sure you put these beneath your wet suit)
- A life jacket
- An oar each
- Lockers for your valuables
- On-site washrooms and changing rooms
- Complimentary water and juice
- Options to purchase extra snacks, drinks and even BBQ food
- All professional photos emailed directly to you after the kicking horse rafting trips
- One of the most exhilarating and memorable water tours in North America with class 4 rapids!
What to Pack For White Water Rafting Kicking Horse River
- You can take a Go Pro because you’re able to attach it on the helmets they give to you
- Any medication that you need as there is a boat with a secure box to carry it
- Make sure you have string or holders for your sunglasses because the kicking horse whitewater rafting is rapid!
- Sunscreen as you’re in the sun for the entire trip
- Best thing to wear white water rafting? Underneath your wetsuit you’ll want to wear a bathing suit/bikini/swimming shorts but it can get warm so only wear a light t-shirt and shorts if needed
- Bring a towel!
How To Book The Hydra Kicking Horse Rafting Tour
This is the exact tour I did for white water rafting Kicking Horse and what this review is about so if you like what you’ve read, reserve your place here.
I hope my review has helped you either book or feel better about going on this white water rafting Golden BC tour. I wish I had this to read before I did it haha!
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