Comments on: The Best Raft Crash Story Ever

By: Naira

Naira — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:52:32 +0000

To Frank:
As a customer just wanted to let Frank know that apparently he has no sense of humor and does not understand fun. The story is funny. And i think when adults go rafting they should take full responsibility for their decision. If you want to play safe go to Six Flags and have fun in safe environment. Once you choose rafting in a river with rocks and water involved and you sign a waiver you should know that it is fun yet serious activity where things happen and yes, you would be surprised but when we go rafting and pay $$$ we would like to have an option of going big which actually means high possibility of flippability….
Only is USA people can be obsessed by layers, law suits and liability… Get a Life go have some fun

By: Songer Rafting

Songer Rafting — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:24:32 +0000

Frank,

First of all, apologies that you were offended by the post. That wasn’t the intent at all, as we hope to clarify with this response.

Right off the bat, it says in the second paragraph that this was a different company (and a different time). So, if there’s blame to be laid here, it doesn’t fall on Songer. Or on the rafting industry. The point is, there’s nothing here that could be construed as “wrong” or “at fault”, as I think with some closer inspection, you’ll see.

The goal of rafting is to -safely- have a good time. A great time, actually.

The goal of the post is different, because it’s a story about rafting. As you’re posting from Oak Hill, you may know some of the better storytellers in the area. If you don’t, you should know this: they’re all raft guides

In other words, there’s a huge difference between what happens to create a safe trip and what happens to be an entertaining guide. At Songer, the entire concept of what a guide is, as you mention, is actually the combination of the two, not one or the other.

The rafting companies in the New River Gorge are among the most safety conscious in the world. There is no question that each operator in the gorge goes far above and beyond what’s required by law to make their trips safe for every single guest.

Also, there’s a lot of poking fun at each other that goes on out on the river. This particular group was very comfortable with that, but others aren’t so much. At Songer, we treat everyone with respect- we love our guests. We always have fun with and never “make fun of” the great folks that come rafting with us.

Thanks for having enough concern to respond to the post. Again, apologies if you were offended. Hope to see you on the river.

Thanks,
Ben Curnett (it’s my post)

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:11:36 +0000

Wow, Beluga Family! That’s how a professional guide refers to a group of rafters paying good money to go rafting with you? Interesting. Let’s look at a few more issues with this blog… XXXXX-L’s life jackets that are ready to burst? You put customers into potentially life-threatening situation with questionable gear all the time? I’m sure a lawyer would love that statement. Is there a weight capacity to a raft or do you always stuff it to the point that control and maneuverability is compromised? Asking at customer which route “they” want to take and if “they” want to go big? What possible reference point do they have to gauge a responsible answer to those questions? I’m sure it take years to develop those skills – hopefully these weren’t first time rafters. So if I want to “go big” over Niagara Falls you’ll do it? I believe you miss the entire concept of what a guide is; and making fun of individuals is never acceptable nor professional.