FAQ

You can email us, call or fax. Here you’ll find our contact details. Dependent on the number of persons we recommend to book several days or weeks before your preferred date. Please also contact us with any changes in numbers.

Rafting and Canyoning are outdoor sports and therefore never 100% safe. However, through well trained staff, professional behaviour and equipment of the newest technical standard we endeavour to reduce the risk to a minimum. Thus the actual risk of an accident during rafting or canyoning is not higher than during the trip in your personal car to the trip location.

Swiss River Adventures Ltd carries the safety label ISO 21101 (formerly ‘Safety in Adventures’).  You can find more information on this label here.

(I) Slow flowing water without obstacles or waves

(II – III) Faster flowing water with waves and/or obstacles, not too technical

(IV – IV) Fast flowing water with big waves and/or technically demanding obstacles, increasing gradient – boundary for commercial rafting

(VI) Very fast water with very high waves, extremely difficult obstacles and/or a very steep gradient – commercially not raftable!

Not as long as the river/gorge does not reach (or is likely to reach during the trip duration) the maximum water level as it is specified in our operations plan. The equipment provided protects you against cold and you would get wet anyway! Should the water level rise so high that the operation of a rafting/canyoning/hydrospeed tour would be unsafe we will cancel the trip. In this case we try to find an alternative date for your trip or refund your payments.

You will get all the equipment for all our water activities. For underneath the neoprene clothing we suggest a bathing costume or bikini. Your own thermal underwear or fleece will keep you even warmer. Do not forget a strap for your glasses, sun protection as well as necessary medication such as asthma spray, antihistamines etc. In any case bring a sufficiently large bag for the transport of your clothes and shoes as well as a towel. For some (!) canyoning trips you will also need a pair of shoes that offer good stability and can get wet. Ideal are mountain or hiking shoes – water sandals, Tevas etc. are not suited! Please check the info sheet we send with every booking confirmation – it is trip-specific and spells out what to bring.

Rafting

Raft with guide
Neoprene wet suit
Neoprene booties
Jacket
Life jacket
Helmet
Paddle

Canyoning

Guide
Neoprene wet suit
Neoprene socks
Neoprene jacket
Helmet
Canyoning boots (in most cases)
Canyoning harness

Swiss River Adventures Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for valuables taken on our tours and therefore do not recommend the use of a personal camera. For rafting we suggest the use of a waterproof disposable camera, however, after most of our trips you have the option to buy photos taken by a professional photographer during the trip. For canyoning we suggest to abstain from the use of a camera as it would be in the way.

In general we try to carry groups in one raft, however, we cannot guarantee that groups will be able to stay together. Rafts have – like any other vessels – a maximum load which depends on the character of the river as well as the size of boat. We therefore sometimes have to split groups onto more than one raft. On the river, however, all rafts descend in a convoy so that you will always be in close proximity to the other members of your group and can, for example, splash each other.

White water rafts are always steered by a professional river guide, who has completed a special training (recognised by the Swiss Sports Ministry) and carries a white water rafting license of the Swiss Trendsport Association (or an officially recognised equivalent). In addition, you will always have a minimum of two river guides on any trip, even if there is only one raft. At least one of the guides will also have an additional trip-leader qualification, which can only be applied for after extensive rafting experience and additional assessments.

The different rivers/gorges on offer have specific minimum ages. From 14 years old kids can participate in all our activities. In our brochures as well as on this webpage you will find the respective minimum age information for each of our activities.

This can happen but occurs infrequently. Of course you will be looked after in the best possible way in these situations.

No, not for most of our trips. Only some of the more technical canyoning tours in Ticino require prior experience.

Swimming ability is helpful but not necessary. If your swimming abilities are poor, please inform your guide so we can look after you in the best possible way.

For rafting and canyoning average physical fitness is absolutely sufficient! There are frequent rest times, when you do not have to paddle but can relax and enjoy the scenery. 

No! All our white water activities are outdoor activities that have to be taken serious and require the full concentration and fast reaction from our participants. You should therefore not consume alcohol or any other drugs before or during the trips. Please understand that we have to exclude any persons we suspect to be under influence of alcohol or drugs from our water activities.