This spring our raft guide training program will be headed up by Carl Fitzgerald, aka: Fidge, and the ever popular Eddicar Fergison, aka: Double D. Fidge has been training Songer raft guides for the last 6 seasons and does a wonderful job of breaking down the weekends into structured lesson plans.

Double D will be brought in to help with the guide training but to also have continued training throughout the season with all of the guide staff. An opportunity that is just now taking place is joint River Rescue courses with the other outfitters on our rivers. It is purposed that there will be 4 dates set to get as many raft guides in the area together working on rescue drills. This will help them get to know one another and to develop general communications needed when you can’t necessarily hear each other over the roar of the river. Raft guide sign language, look out!

The important aspects to safety, in my opinion, are prevention and guest education. I have heard it many times and am very proud to say that the “Songer guests are the most educated guests out there!” Our guides take the time to explain the “what if we crash” scenarios. There is a big difference between telling someone how to swim and get back into the raft versus having them float with their feet up and wait for the boat to get to them. No thanks for me on the waiting, I’m getting back in the boat!

There are many stepping stones throughout the day to educate, evaluate & decide how to make the day fun & safe for everyone. Songer is going to continue to breakdown the details of how to make this work for the benefit of everyone on the river.

If you would like to raft guide train with us (no wussies allowed) please email me: Melanie@songerwhitewater.com

If you have any questions about how our staff prepares for river trips, please let me know as well.

The fresh meat of trainees will add an air of competitiveness into the mix of guide staff as they explore through the Songer way of rafting.

New Jersey will descend upon Miller Ridge and High Adventure boat after High Adventure boat will hit the brown, bubbling April water. Mr. Brunaro and friends will jump start the monster into full swing, on and off the river.

I will tighten my reins, brace for the ride & hope I won’t have to crack the whip. As I herd raft guides, the master minds of the company will be spinning the cranks & chains to keep the monster tight and in control.

Len will be the “Fixer of all Problems.” A small but very resourceful crew will assist him as they tend to the baby time bombs on the property before they go off. Susie will stretch a dollar like she never has before and decide who gets our marketing money. This is her baby she created 27 years ago and she knows the ups and downs of the river business.

It has been a competitive winter to capture customers interest and will be a challenging season to get folks to be part of the Beast of the East (the New River). We have all the ingredients prepped and are ready to unleash this beautiful thing called Songer!