Whitewater Challengers

«What did the fish say when it hit a wall? Dam!» Marco started our trip off with the best kind of stupid jokes, and the day just got better! Krista was our guide, and she showed us a great time for the whole five hours we were on the river. The scenery was gorgeous (pun intended) and the mix of rapids and calm was perfect for beginning rafters. We’ll def. go back.

My friend Sydney and I had one of the most fun trips we’ve ever had this past weekend, largely in part to Whitewater Challengers. We rafted on the Hudson on 4÷18÷15 and it was AWESOME!!! From the moment we arrived in the parking lot all of the staff were super friendly and carried out check-​in/​equipment rentals very efficiently.
Then the journey began: On the way up to our starting point we saw a MOOSE! So cool! The ride up overall was very fun, everyone was fired up. When we got to the river we were assigned to rafts and given a tutorial regarding rafting safety and paddling commands. Our guide was Cory and he was excellent! He was very nice, super knowledgeable about the river, and promoted a high-​level of enthusiasm and camaraderie amongst everyone in our raft. Given the time of year, the rapids were HUGE and he did a great job of guiding us through them safely while still taking some big hits; it was SO FUN! Along the way we were provided with a delicious honey/​peanut butter/​granola wrap and some hot tea, and afterwards we were given a pretty good bbq chicken dinner. This trip was definitely a great value and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting adventure with some of the friendliest folks around!
Also at the end of the day my friend and I asked about some good trails to hike in the area and another guide, Casey, was very helpful in giving us directions to a couple. We hiked one the next day; it was a great hike with a fantastic view at the summit that we would have never found on our own. Thanks to everyone at WC for making our weekend away one we will never forget!
Katie

The best place to raft within a reasonable distance of New York City. I did a few runs on the Lehigh, because it’s so close to where I live, but quickly grew bored of it (kids’ stuff really). Luckily, the Hudson river trip is much more exciting and fun. It has some decent rapids and the scenery can be breathtaking. Plus, for just $ 80, you get a full day’s adventure. lunch and dinner (what could be better than that?).
Our guide — Krista — was awesome. Most of the paddlers in my raft sucked, but she was totally upbeat and made the whole day a lot of fun. She knew what she was doing and easily overcame my group’s general lack of coordination and strength.
Definitely a great time, though the rive’s intensity varies depending on the time of year that you visit (I think May/​June is the best time to go). I’d 100% recommend this as a fun way to spend a day. You don’t even have any previous rafting experience to love it.

Awesome experience for my first White Water Rafting Trip!!! Even though its like a 5 hour driver from the city to get there it was totally worth it. The staff was super energetic at 9 am in the morning and woke me to be even more excited than I already was.
After check in you can rent a wet suit, wet shoes, or windbreaker and since it was raining when I went it was all for $ 7 total. Then you get your helmet, paddle, and life vest and get on the party bus for a 15 minute ride to the River. Our guide throughout the trip was Kasey, «The man with a beard», and he made the trip so much better. He taught us how to make a clapping noise with the paddles and went through every level class like a badass. The best seats are in the front as there’s not really somewhere to grab on with your feet like you do in the seats behind so when you hit a wave you go flying with feet up in the air and no matter what you will get wet no matter where you sit.
You get a mid-​afternoon snack which was the best thing ever invented. Peanut butter, granola, honey, in a tortilla wrap which I still eat to this day. The stop is in a nearby mini waterfall which was pretty cool to see. The course is about 3 – 4 miles on Indian River than 13 – 14 miles on the Hudson River.
After the trip there is a post meal that included salad, beans, macaroni salad, and chicken. They take pictures of you as well during the trip that you can get after for like $ 10 bucks on a CD. We arrived around 9 and finished the trip around 330 pm.
Totally worth the trip!!! I would definitely do this again. Our guide told us that best time to come is around April when all the snow has melted so the river is overflowing with water than normal. They also sometimes do 3 – 4 day trips where you can raft and camp along the river.

Unbelievably fun time. We truly lucked out that there was a big rain storm days before we went and had almost 8 feet of water at time of year when it should have been 4 feet giving us Class 4 rapids. The guides were great. Our guide Sunshine did a great job of getting us in place to hit the holes perfectly.

i could have done it myself, Jake!!!
my group of 7 were super excited to actually feel what a «LEVEL 3» white water experience would be like… i packed my personal PFD, so that i don’t have to rub my skin on the mildewed collar PFD they offer. due to insurance purposes, i had to wear their PFDs… ugh!
we were the first people to arrive in the parking lot, by 45 minutes… as some rested, we, others scouted the area — staying close to make sure we were first! there were a few others, but they left in a white van, going on a 2 – 3 day kayaking/​camping excursion… as the van of campers/​kayakers left, customers started to pour in…
as they parked, they all looked a bit busy, staff calling them, and so forth…
time was coming close for us to depart… i took the liberty to walk over to the office and to see where we stood… the lady told me she was looking for me, even though she passed me (sitting by the trunk) 3 times!!! i could see where this was going…
she hustled us to sign our wavers, pick up PDFs, helmets and paddles. we were now the LAST PEOPLE ON THE BUS!!! how unorganized these people are!!!
we get off the bus, looked for Jake, our tour guide… instead of first introducing himself, he asked one of my guys to help him pump the raft! HOW PROMISING!!!
as we stood on the outside of the raft, he introduced himself then, and told us to sit in the raft… he furthered us with (what he called) detailed instructions… we safely made it down to the water and boarded…
going down the river, nothing much was said… maybe Jake was tired. i mentioned to Jake that i was a steer person for my dragon boat team, and all of us were on different teams — he decided to take it easy? all of the other rafts were going INTO RAPIDS, while Jake was AVOIDING them! i didn’t get it!!! well, being that he saw how we paddled with technique… he took advantage of us and made us paddle, more than enjoy the scenery…
hahahaha.a.a.a. screw that! when i said, «let’r run»… Jake was upset…(all 9 times!!) if i knew that Jake (the fake) didn’t want to work that day — even though it hailed… — i would have taken over, and had more fun!

My very first rafting trip ever and I booked with a group of friends. We purchased the groupon and had a really great memorable day. The staff is really awesome and knowledgable. Our raft guide Mike was really really great and answered all our questions with ease. Due to a very dry Summer the difficulty wasn’t super high but it was a perfect day. No complaints here. They ever have vegetarian options for dinner.
I’d suggest bringing a small snack and some water to put in the dry bag. It is a pretty long day. Especially is the water level is lower and you are moving at a slower speed. Bring your sunblock as well.

Website: www​.white​wa​ter​chal​lengers​.com/
Guide: Josh
Rivers: Indian & Hudson
Experience: ⁵⁄₅
–This was first whitewater rafting experience and the difficulty was around a 3 to 4.
–I thoroughly enjoyed the 17 mile experience. At $ 68.44 per person (including insurance) the price is decent because they provide a guide, mid-​afternoon snack of peanut butter honey granola raisin wrap and finally dinner bbq chicken breast, mixed greens, beans and brownies.
–The whole trip took about 6 hours from start to finish.
Tips:
–A waterproof camera/​case is highly suggested for awesome memories
–Food can be placed in a dry bag provided by WC (Whitewater Challengers)
–Bring sun lotion onto the boat and apply liberally
–Stay hydrated and bring extra snacks
Highly recommended!

What a great way to spend the afternon. worth every penny infact it was a bargain. Patrick and his help were fabulous. we went with our three kids and the staff was super helpful. Patrick was extremely patient and helpful in navigating the course. I am definitely not in shape and Patrick helped me through the entire course. The kids had such a sense of accomplishment after completing the entire course as well. We all would have quit had it not been for Patrick gently nudging and helping us along. The kids are already asking to go back. Thanks to everyone at whitewater for a memorable afternoon.

Overall, Whitewater Challengers in North River is pretty good. Considering they have no control over the conditions on the river, I have to say that they do a very good job. I’ve done the Indian/​Hudson River twice with them and overall, I’m satisfied. They’re not perfect but how can they be with something like this?
Your experience on the Indian and then Hudson Rivers (which is where the particular experience takes place) will depend on:
1. The rivers themselves. The Indian River is the starting leg of the journey and during the dam release times, it can get pretty hairy. I have no experience with level 4 rivers but from what I was told by our raft leader the first time I did this, the Indian River at that time was nearly a level 4. You’re on the Indian River for a relatively short part of the overall trip and when you get to the Hudson, things settle down considerably. Conditions change depending on the river levels.
2. Your comfort level. Afraid of water and/​or can’t swim? Please don’t do this. Some of the rapids are kind of scary and if you are nervous about water and your swimming skills, skip this and try a more tame river. My main complaint is my inability to feel completely secure in the raft. You are told to sit pretty much on the outside of the raft’s «ring» and secure both feet inside and under where the ring meets the rafts underside. Sounds easy but when you are trying to row furiously AND stay in the boat AND listen to your raft instructors commands, it ain’t easy. I’ve never fallen out but only because I’m so concerned about doing so but I feel that it has compromised my ability to help row and steer the boat.
3. Your raft guide/​instructor. First time out on the river, we had a great guide. Informative, friendly, easy going and knowledgeable. Second time? Not such a great guide. He didn’t really seem to know what he was doing and we ran aground on river rocks not once, not twice, not even three times but FOUR! And once after I warned him about it. He was a nice enough guy but not what I would want for a river guide.
One other thing I have to note: during the last time we went, I got extremely thirsty on the second half of the trip. I did not get enough to drink when they served lunch and it caused me to get a bit fatigued. I wish they could somehow provide a way for us to bring water onto the raft. I’ve never asked but next time, I will. Imagine being painfully thirsty and having all this river water around you? Tempting to try but I was told to not try it.
What Whitewater Challengers does do well here is taking care of the customers before and after the trip. They are very good at making sure people know where they should go, what equipment they need, etc. Any questions? They are very approachable and helpful. After the trip, the provide a good meal and it really is very good. It’s not some thrown together thing but some nice food (BBQ chicken, salads, brownies).
And if you are coming a long-​ish distance and plan to stay over, try The Copperfield Inn in very nearby North Creek. It’s just minutes away and it’s an extremely nice hotel.

Awesome and will definitely be returning! That sums it up.
We did the 8 hour trip today and our guide, «Madd Dogg» was so good. He has been with the company over 25 years and it showed! (by experience that is…). We arrived at 9 and you check in, orientation, get your gear, change and then they load you up on the bus. They then take you up to the drop in area. We did not have a watch/​phone, so dont know exactly what time we got in the water. I would estimate 11am.
You then are in for a fun ride. Nothing extremely challenging, but enough to keep you satisfied (this was or first time).
As someone else pointed out, one of the best things was that you walk back to the base. I did not really want to have to deal with waiting for all of the other boats and loading up again-​I was beat!
We got back to their location at 3:30 and there was food waiting. Nothing spectacular but all very good.
The wraps on the river for lunch were really good-​I feel like I want to go try to duplicate that this week for lunch one day!
A great day and I would highly suggest them.
*Let me add that they had an usually high amount of people today compared to normal. Our guide said they normally drop 17 – 18 boats and had 24 today. Due to this, there were a lot more people at their location than normal and I really feel that everything went well, so I think that it would only be better with less people and it was already great!

This place was very well orangized and did a fantastic job. The price was right and the tour guide (josh) was great! Along with white water rafting and guiding us he gave us a little history behind the river and was entertaining (also looked like orlando bloom-​this is a good thing). Would use again next time! Also have to agree the peanut butter, granola and honey wrap is top notch! This will be my new travel snack! Delicious! food at the end wasnt bad either. grlled bbq chix, baked beans and salad.

For my first rafting trip, I would say it was pretty awesome. It wasn’t as rough as some of my crew would have liked it but I definitely got a good workout. The peanut butter granola and honey wraps they gave us for a midday snack were tasty and enough to tide me over until the BBQ they hosted after the trip which was… okay : — Our guide was fun and kept us entertained during the calm parts of the trip and it was and all around good time.
sidebar: My husband and I got a yucky rash on our necks from the gear that we rented, so if you have your own wear it!

If you want a great rafting experience, with an experienced, friendly and knowledgeable staff, then you need to go to Whitewater Challengers. I have been rafting with them for 16 years. Hudson, Moose, and Black rivers to name a few. For the Hudson trip I highly recommend Billy «Mad Pupp». He is very friendly, knows the river, has over 10 years experience, and a great sense of humor. He is great for the fist timer, or the well seasoned veteran. After your hard day on the river, you are treated to a nice warm meal with all the other guests and guides.
Good Times Always!
P. S. They are opening an adventure park, complete with a paintball target range, paintball field and a zip line sometime in May, 2012!!!

I’ve rafted a couple different companies on the Hudson and I have to say this one is the best. They are cheaper than some of the other places and the guides are top notch — very informative of not only the river, but the wilderness surrounding the river. The peanut butter/​granola/​honey wrap is AMAZING! Kudos to the person who came up with that idea. The BBQ at the end was also really good — nice tossed salad, mac & cheese, baked beans, BBQ chicken, and brownies (not all companies provide a BBQ after the trip unless you’re in a group or raft in the spring, so this was nice for a summer raft). The best part, though, is the location — the base is right across from the take out point so when you’re done you just lift the raft out of the river and walk across to the base. A lot of other companies require you to get back on the bus and travel back to base when you’re tired, wet, and hungry. I will definitely raft with this company again and will have to check them out on the Lehigh river as well.

Great time! It’s a long day bring your sunblock and head towards this company. They are well organized and stand out in the crowd of tour companies on the river. We were very lucky in our raft, and snagged one of their best guides, Mike. When we stopped for a prepared lunch, everyone raved about the peanut butter, honey and granola wraps. I had a veggie wrap which was prepared for anyone with dietary restrictions. Sorry no gluten free, but you can pick at the veggie wrap. After our trip down the river, we enjoyed a BBQ and yes the cooks were fore advised about any and all dietary needs and had veggie burgers prepared. Remember: bring sunblock and ask for Mike!