Most rivers are rated Class I - V. The Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, the granddaddy of them all, has its own river rating system. Rapids there are rated on a 1-10 scale. Flat water is 1, while tough rapids like Lava Falls or Crystal can be rated 10 at certain water levels. A 10 rating in the canyon is roughly equivalent to a Class V in the standard river scale.

O.A.R.S. hires the best guides in the business. They are reliable, responsible, experienced and committed to enhancing your safety. All are qualified in CPR and First Aid; many have earned credentials in wilderness first responder, swift water rescue and Leave No Trace. They know their territories!

Cindell Dale, or Dellie as she is affectionately called, is a 21-year veteran of the Grand Canyon. Ote Dale began guiding passengers on whitewater rafting trips throughout the western United States over 30 years ago. She has hundreds of trips under her oars, many of those in the Grand Canyon. Regan Dale has over 35 years and 35,000 river miles since he first started running rivers. Roger Dale has more than 120 trips in the Grand Canyon. Since 1974, Michael P. Ghiglieri has run more than 660 commercial whitewater trips, 145 of those in the Grand Canyon. Elena Kirschner has been guiding for O.A.R.S. for over 22 years.

The folks listed above are just a sampling of our river guides. Suffice it to say, you are in good hands with O.A.R.S. Although we cannot guarantee you will stay in your raft or dory in the Grand Canyon - your chances of falling out of the boat are pretty slim.