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French Broad Rafting Expeditions recently experienced
tragedy when their outpost caught fire and owner's Michael and Mitch Hampton
lost everything. The twin brothers started French Broad Rafting 4 years ago and
take an average of 8500 people down the French Broad River every year. The
family owned rafting company employs 45 people and contributes significantly to
the local economy and the community. Among many other activities, French Broad
Rafting volunteers for river rescue and flood victim rescue, donates rafting
trips to non-profit organizations, and participates in local school fundraisers
and charity events.
French Broad Rafting Expeditions has purchased 3 acres of
land and is currently building a new outpost. The French Broad Rafting
Expeditions staff is currently busy taking reservations for the 2007 season.
Book your trip today!
How do I schedule my rafting
trip?
- Call our 24 hour reservation line at
800-570-RAFT (7238)
- Make your reservation with our friendly
staff
- Reserve your trip with a check or credit
card
- Arrive at the French Broad Rafting
Expeditions Outpost 15 to 30 minutes prior to trip time
- Have fun!
- Make Your
Reservation Online
French Broad Rafting Expeditions has a 24-hour reservation
line. Call us and let our friendly reservations staff assist you in scheduling
your rafting trip. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation and
this can be done with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or check (time permitting).
Trips booked within 48 hours of the date of the trip require full payment with
a credit card. Please arrive at French Broad Rafting Expeditions 15 to 30
minutes prior to trip time.
Download your waivers and complete
prior to your arrival at French Broad Rafting Expeditions.
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French Broad Rafting Expeditions cancellation
policy
Deposits are refundable with a call to our office with a
minimum 48 hour notice. Any cancellations under 48 hours to trip time will
result in forfeit of the deposit. Trips booked under 48 hours in advance are
not eligible for refunds. French Broad Rafting Expeditions whitewater rafting
trips go rain or shine, 7 days a week, March through October.
If you need to
reschedule your trip within the 48 hours to trip time, a $50 rescheduling fee
will apply.
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Spring and Fall - Layers, Layers, Layers!!!
Complimentary wet suits (please wear swim suits underneath) and splash
gear are provided for all guests. We recommend wool or polypropylene sweater
and nylon pants and then the splash gear as the top layer. DO NOT WEAR
sweatshirts, sweatpants or jeans for your rafting trip. REQUIRED: shoes that
won't come off in the water (sandals with strap the back or old tennis shoes).
You may want to wear wool socks with shoes during this time of season.
Summer - Swim suit, shorts, t-shirt or tank shirt.
REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals with a strap on the
back or old tennis shoes).
Additional things to remember -
shoes, sunscreen, hat, strap for glasses, towel and a change of dry
clothing for after the trip. If you forget these items we do have them for sale
in our store.
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Frequently Asked Questions for French Broad Rafting
Expeditions on the French Broad River.
I have never done this before, how
does this work?
On the day of your trip, arrive at the designated
outpost 30 minutes prior to your trip time. Check-in at the store to complete
your waivers and process your payment. Lock everything in your car that you
don't want wet, lost or broken. Your trip leader will collect your car keys and
we keep them in the store during your trip. You will get outfitted for your
gear, load the bus and we will drive you to the put-in. Enjoy your trip with
your talented and humorous guide! We will then meet you at the take-out and
drive you back to the outpost.
Which trip is right for my
family?
The five mile trip is our most popular trip and is a great
introduction to whitewater rafting. It is exciting but not overwhelming. The
nine mile trip is an extension of the five mile trip with a higher level of
excitement at the end with the class III+ and the class IV.
Do I need reservations?
YES!
Because we guarantee a guide in every raft, we strongly encourage making a
reservation so we can have the appropriate staffing for the day. If you are
planning to come in July or August I recommend making your reservation early
(by mid-May) because we close out quickly.
Can I get a discount?
We
offer a 10% discount to groups of 10 or more people.
What is a duckie?
A duckie
is an inflatable kayak made for one person. It is recommended to be in good
physical condition to paddle a duckie on the whitewater section of the French
Broad River. Due to a limited quantity, please request a duckie at the time of
reservations.
What does guide assisted mean?
The only trips we offer that are guide assisted are on the calm water section.
Guide assisted means there may be 4 rafts in the water with only one guide to
assist the trip down the river.
Is there a cancellation policy -
What if I need to cancel?
Yes you can cancel your trip, but please keep
in mind of our cancellation policy which states as follows: Deposits are
refundable with a call to our office with a minimum 48 hour notice. Any
cancellations under 48 hours to trip time will result in forfeit of the
deposit. Trips booked under 48 hours in advance are not eligible for refunds.
French Broad Rafting Expeditions whitewater rafting trips go rain or shine, 7
days a week, March through October. If you need to reschedule your trip within
the 48 hours to trip time, a $50 rescheduling fee will apply.
What should I wear on the river?
Spring and Fall - Layers, Layers, Layers!!!
Complimentary wet suits
(please wear swim suits underneath) and splash gear are provided for all
guests. We recommend wool or polypropylene sweater and nylon pants and then the
splash gear as the top layer. DO NOT WEAR sweatshirts, sweatpants or jeans for
your rafting trip. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals
with strap the back or old tennis shoes). You may want to wear wool socks with
shoes during this time of season.
Summer - Swim suit, shorts,
t-shirt or tank shirt. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water
(sandals with a strap on the back or old tennis shoes).
Additional
things to remember - shoes, sunscreen, hat, strap for glasses, towel and a
change of dry clothing for after the trip. If you forget these items we do have
them for sale in our store.
Will I fall out of the raft?
Possibly!! There is a chance that you may fall out of the raft. But relax and
enjoy the float. Your guide will get you back in the raft very quickly. BUT,
before you even begin your trip and touch the water, your trip leader will go
through a safety talk on whitewater rafting and what will happen if you should
fall in the water.
Do I need to know how to
swim?
No. We have taken many children and adults down the French Broad
River who do not know how to swim. Not only does French Broad Rafting
Expeditions provide top quality safety equipment (life jacket and helmet), but
our guides go through extensive swift water rescue training along with being
certified in CPR & first aid.
Are trips canceled when it
rains?
No. We go whitewater rafting rain or shine.
Is there an age limit?
Yes.
Our minimum age limit for whitewater rafting is 8 years old. Our minimum age
limit for calm water rafting is 4 years old.
Is there a photographer for
pictures?
Yes so smile pretty when you are coming through that rapid.
All Terrain Images is on the side of the river to take your picture from
Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. When you get back to the outpost after
your trip, you can view your photos on the computers in the store. You can have
all of your pictures copied to a CD or have prints made while you wait.
Is whitewater rafting safe?
Like all adventure activities, whitewater rafting is a risk. French Broad
Rafting Expeditions does not assume liability for personal injuries. You will
be asked to read and sign a waiver agreement prior to your trip. We do not
allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to go on any of our trips.
No refunds will be made.
Is tipping my guide/driver
appropriate?
The raft guides and bus drivers are providing a
professional service to you, your family, or your group. All of your guides
depend on tips as part of their salary. A good rule of thumb is to tip your
guide as you would a server in a restaurant, 20% of the trip (of course, any
tipping is at your own discretion). Gratuity is deeply appreciated.
French Broad Rafting Expeditions requires all guests to
sign a waiver. Please download the waiver and fill out and bring with you at
the time of your trip. (You will need the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the waivers from our
website).
OR you can simply complete the waiver form at check-in at
the Outpost.
Download
waiver—Guests 18 years and older
Download waiver—Guests 17 years and under
(must be completed by a parent/guardian)
FBRE makes every reasonable effort to ensure a quality and
fun rafting trip. However, there are certain conditions in whitewater rafting
beyond our control. All guests are required to sign a waiver and participate at
their own risk. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be excluded
from trips. No refunds.
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 Laughs, smiles, and great memories! As you are
paddling down the 5 mile or 9 mile whitewater section of the French Broad
River...Smile Pretty!
All Terrain Images will be on the side of the river taking
pictures of your whitewater rafting adventures. All Terrain Images is on the
site from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. When you arrive back at
French Broad Rafting Expeditions Marshall Outpost, you can view your photos and
have prints made or copied to a CD.
 4 X 6 -
$12 |
 5 X 7 -
$18 |
 8 X 10 -
$24 |
 CD - $38 |
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NOTE: Groups of 15 or more can
recieve a special rate for all of the photos on a CD. Call French Broad Rafting
Expeditions to make arrangements.
800-570-RAFT |
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