Saturday, December 13, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Secret Montana Surf


A well kept secret. It just gets better as the river goes up.

Riverboarding


Considered by many to be the ultimate whitewater thrill, riverboarding’s for the adventurous few who want more excitement than rafting or kayaking can provide.
Montana River Guides is the only outfitter in Montana offering guided riverboard trips, and we've been doing it for over a decade. Montana is North America's last best place to catch a mountain wave. Montana’s Best Whitewater:
The Alberton Gorge is an ideal location for guided riverboard trips. Just thirty miles west of Missoula and only a two hour drive from Couer d’Alene, the Clark Fork River narrows, picks up speed and tumbles into the Gorge with rollicking Class 2,3 and 4 rapids and absolutely stunning canyon scenery. With its legendary rapids Fang, Tumbleweed and Boateater, the Gorge is the premier summer whitewater adventure in Montana. It is a high volume (2,000 to 40,000 cfs), pool and drop river with large recovery pools after each of its Class II, III and IV Rapids. Because of it’s volume, the Clark Fork is not considered a technical run and is relatively free of obstructions. The rapids are characterized by obvious entry points with large waves caused by a combination of constriction and deep channel drops. Bottom line: the Alberton Gorge whitewater is one of the world’s best spots to learn how to maneuver and surf while riverboarding.

We run trips from June through September. Expect huge water and fast runs through early July. As the river level drops through July and August more rocks and features appear along with more potential surf waves.
Your guide will provide an overview of the day and outfit you with the right equipment. You'll be outfitted with a helmet, wetsuit, fins, lifejacket, booties and a riverboard. Everyone should be a solid swimmer and be in good physical condition. Guests must read and sign an acknowledgment of risk form before the trip. Riverboarding is considered an extreme sport in which your safety can't be guaranteed. While we have great safety record, you need to recognize that there are inherent dangers in whitewater, and that riverboarding involves a certain amount of risk. That of course is but one reason it is sort of interesting--and fun. Having noted that, we start each trip with an orientation, safety talk, and practice the basics before running each section of whitewater as a team.
Trips Cost: Main Gorge Half Day $85. Upper and Main Gorge with lunch, $129. Morning trips meet at 9am, afternoon trips at 2pm and evening trips at 6 pm / mountain time. Call 800-381-7238 for reservations.