Wilderness Tours has over 45 years of operating excellence. We have a stellar safety record and a reputation as an innovator in customer care and service.
Rafting is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities available. However, as with all adventure activities there is inherent risk. Choosing a professionally managed and operated company with high safety standards should be your number one priority when booking a rafting adventure.
Wilderness Tours is a founding member of the Canadian River Council dedicated to increased professionalism on Canada's rivers.
Our industry-leading safety and operating standards include:
Strong Leadership & Management.
Judgment and leadership by risk management decision-makers is the key to ensuring guest safety. All the training, certifications and experience of the guide crew is meaningless if proper decisions are not made. At Wilderness Tours, we have specific rafting protocols for every rapid and every water level on the Ottawa River. At certain water levels, we close certain sections of the river to maintain strict safety guidelines. By implementing such comprehensive guidelines, Wilderness Tours has been able to provide quality rafting experiences to hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world.
More senior guides.
WT is fortunate to attract the best guiding talent in the world. Our wilderness resort and the range of Class 3-5 whitewater available at our doorstep, is a major drawing card for the best raft guides in the world. The Ottawa River is one (if not the best) river in Canada for not just white-water rafting, but for many other water sports as well. Our guides are challenged day in and day out, and this challenge attracts true whitewater professionals.
The right equipment.
All the necessary gear for rafting is provided by WT, including wetsuits, lifejackets, paddling jackets, and helmets. Guests have the option of wearing wetsuits any time of year. Farmer John/Jane wetsuits are available for rent. If you are prone to getting cold easily, we recommend you get yourself a wetsuit for your trip.
Safety Kayakers.
WT provides safety kayakers to enhance customer safety and service. Each safety kayaker that accompanies a trip will increase the overall safety margin. Our safety kayakers are Class V experts capable of making fast, effective rescues and assisting swimmers back to their rafts.
WT was the first company on the Ottawa to provide safety kayakers 40 years ago. Today, many rafting companies still do not provide this safety service while operating on rivers of a similar difficulty.
Superb safety talks and operating standards.
WT takes great pride in presenting an interesting and complete safety briefing prior to each trip. Our most experienced senior guides and safety kayakers present these safety talks. Following our talk, each guest is asked to perform certain safety drills which include practicing proper paddle commands, pulling a swimmer into a raft and swimming an easy section of whitewater. At difficult rapids, guest's are given the option to get out of the raft and bypass the rapid on shore or assume the added risk of advanced rapids. By providing choices, we will not exceed our guest's comfort zone, and chances are they will come back time and time again. Veteran paddlers who want the most extreme runs will be assigned our most hardcore senior guides.
All participants must sign a waiver and release of liability form prior to trip departure. These are legally binding documents and will limit your ability to sue WT for damages that may occur. WT has a flawless safety record 40+ years of operation on many of the most challenging rivers that are rafted in Canada. However, past performance does not imply that any given trip will be safe and that no losses or damages will occur. Participants must be prepared, use good judgment, and follow the safety procedures and instruction provided. Those that do not adhere to our safety standards and guidelines will not be allowed to continue the trip.
