Rafting The Wild River

Rafting The Wild River

by Mike MacLeod

Publication Date: June 1998

Mention the Gauley River and many an eastern boater gets butterflies in the stomach. The Class IV put-in below the dam is a rite of passage, and while folks may argue over the Gauley's rank among American whitewater rivers, no one will dispute that the Gauley is unique among U.S. rivers.

Those who guide on the Gauley for any length of time speak in terms of family-like teamwork. "You develop a sixth sense for knowing where every boat and guide in your group is at all times," says Dave Gale, a guide with 16 seasons under his belt. "Off the water we are extremely competitive, but on the water, we relate to each other as siblings would."

It is the camaraderie, the ingrained interdependence among river guides, that allows Songer Whitewater to thrive in the business of guiding the public through the Class IV and V whitewater on the Gauley and New Rivers-and above all, it is their dedication to a system of safety that allows them to continue to grow.

Apprentice guides are quickly integrated into the flow of things and taught by a cadre of senior guides. Owner's Len and Susan Hanger are then free to take care of customers at the front end, knowing that their guides will perform that role on the water.

Songer Whitewater has operated on the New and Gauley rivers since 1978. The Hangers, both who grew up along rivers, purchased the company in 1982. Originally canoeists, Len and Susan began a quest for bigger and wilder whitewater that eventually led them to rafting. As the old advertising saw goes, they liked the product so much, they bought the company.

A guide's training begins before the season with first aid and CPR. Lois Lipscomb, a local EMT, trains first-time guides. West Virginia law requires that a guide make a minimum of ten trips on the section of river he or she will work before guiding customers. Most Songer guides do twenty trips before taking paying customers. Neophyte guides begin on the New River, learning how to read water, steer, and right a capsized boat. They practice rescue techniques and learn how to work as a team.

Veteran guides are not shy about handing out advice and transmitting a healthy respect for the river to their apprentices. It can be intimidating for the uninitiated. "Training was very cold," recalls Joanna Ferretti, a substitute elementary school teacher who has just completed her fourth year as a guide. "The new guides were grouped together in 'turkey boats,' in which we took turns doing the guiding. It is very different being in the back of the boat from being a passenger, but you feel safe because the veteran guides are there watching over you."

Another facet the owners bring to the guides' training is customer relations, following a Southern tradition of "good manners." "We teach by example," says Len. "We still say, 'Yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am.' We try to make sure that if people need something, they are taken care of right away. The rafting industry is not nine-to-five work. It is labor-intensive, hands-on, but when customers tell you they had a wonderful time, it makes your day."

"We ask ourselves, 'What else can we provide for our customers while they're here?'" Gale says. "We offer morning and evening group meals, bring in a band once a month, and operate a campground. Plus, we offer rock climbing, rappelling, horseback riding, and mountain biking through subcontractors. While we believe in offering as much as possible to our customers, we are in the rafting business, and intend to focus on that. Subcontracting these other services works well for everyone and allows us to do what we do best.

"Our corporate offerings help to fill in spaces during the week," she adds. "These trips are particularly popular with employees, since they are on company time."

Only an outfitter confident in its safety system would take several boatloads of attorneys down one of the most challenging whitewater rivers east of the Mississippi. "It is important to realize that with any adventurous outdoor activity, you're going to have injuries," Len says. "We had 11,000 user-days last year. With the sheer number of participants, the law of averages is going to keep up with you. You have to be ready.

"But," he continues, "the quality of the equipment is getting better. We've come a long way from bucket boats and Mae West life jackets. And, I see better-trained guides, who are more knowledgeable about the river than when we started. A lot of our people are EMTs or First Responders."

One of the benefits of improved equipment and well-trained guides is that Songer can afford to push the envelope by offering smaller boats and therefore a more exciting experience. It is proving to be a popular new addition that is helping to build their business. "We have had a great response to the smaller boats," says Len. It may be a new niche, but like the established business, it is possible only because of the company's dedication to safety.

Mike MacLeod is a canoeist, photographer, and freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana.