“While going under the 10 Street Bridge, it’s best to stay in the middle of the river or to the left,” says Daley. Know the hazards and obstacles along the wayĭaley says rafters should be cautious as they enter downtown.
Advance reservations are strongly encouraged as the shuttle usually sells out. Both shuttles are open to rental customers only. On weekends, a 40-passenger shuttle bus is offered for $5 per person from Lazy Day to Baker Park only. (Shuttle service isn’t offered if you’re planning on rafting down the Elbow.) On weekdays, the shuttle runs from the Lazy Days Raft Rentals shop to Baker Park, Shouldice Park or Edworthy Park for $25 for groups of one to four. Lazy Day Raft Rentals also has two different shuttle services for rafters going upstream from the shop. “You can save a lot of money by not having to take a taxi if you forget them.” “Make sure you have the keys for both cars with you,” says Daley.
Having all your equipment also means having your car keysĪ day on the river means having two cars: one to take you to the starting point and one at your end point. “Having an extra paddle is also advisable in case one gets lost.” Lazy Day Raft Rentals rents the third paddle for no extra cost. “Our safety kits contain a bailer, a throw rope and a whistle,” says Daley. It’s also important to have a safety kit in case you do run into trouble. Daley says that all rafters need to be wearing the life jackets for the entire duration they’re on the river. But just having the jackets in the raft isn’t enough. It’s common knowledge that if you’re rafting on the Bow or the Elbow you should have a life jacket. Make sure you have the right equipmentīefore you even step foot in the raft, make sure you have everything you need. “Rafting from Baker Park to Prince’s Island Park will take roughly 3 hours, ending at Edworthy Park takes one and a half hours and ending at Shouldice Park takes one hour.”īe ready for the trip by making sure you’ve packed enough water and plan to spend some time picnicking at whichever park you end at. Popular end points are Prince’s Island, Shouldice Park or Edworthy Park. Daley says that some rafters will start from Baker Park and now that the west side of Bowness Park has reopened, most rafters are choosing to start here. This needs to happen before you leave the house. Knowing your route means you can properly plan your day. You should also check the City’s handy safety tips page for updates on known danger zones and other considerations. Harry Daley, the owner of Lazy Day Raft Rentals, shares the essential tips when it comes to rafting down the river. The Paddle Station rents rafts and kayaks out of two mobile rental stations right along the Bow River.Īside from Harvie Passage, the rapids down the Bow are all Class 1 rapids with the exception of Class 2 rapids near 10th Street N.W., but Calgarians still need to be aware of the hazards out there to make sure their trip is safe. If you don’t have your own raft, you can rent from various sports-specific venues including Lazy Day Raft Rentals, Rapid Rent Outlaw Sports and the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.
It’s a local favourite come summertime: lounging in an inflatable raft while coasting down the Bow River, admiring the view of the approaching downtown skyline.