The History of Whitewater Rafting

Back in 1958 when Jack Currey used to build raftscomfortable ride.
made from balsa wood to float Southern Utah's SanThus, river rafting history was made with the
Juan River, class IV and V whitewater wasintroduction of the first self-bailing rowing raft that has
considered too risky to run recreationally. He decidedsince revolutionized the river rafting industry.
that rubber army surplus rafts would much betterFrom the experience on the San Juan River with balsa
handle the trials of whitewater as they did not getwood rafts, the Currey's have built the largest and the
water-logged over time. However, after only a fewsafest river running company in the world. Over the
trips it was readily apparent that the rubber rafts hadpast 30 years, Steve Currey and his expedition team
their flaws as well. Because the rafts would fill withhave taken over 1/4 million satisfied guests on their
water in the bigger rapids, a continuous bailing effortnational and international river expeditions.
was required, and on occasion the floor would tear onTragically, Steve Currey passed away during the
the jagged rocks.summer of 2006 due to brain cancer. His son Neal,
One such occasion on a challenging section of the Sanfollowing three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
Juan, a Currey guide accidentally tore the entire rubberas an Army Ranger, has taken the reigns and will
floor out of his raft, leaving a suspended wooden floorcontinue the family adventure travel legacy beginning
hanging from the boat frame. The accident enabledwith trips in Chilean Patagonia on the Futaleufu and
the raft to self-bail itself through the entire whitewaterFigueroa Rivers starting December 15th of 2008.
expedition, giving the passengers a dry, safe, and