Category Archives: Rafting

Events, Rafting, safety

Rafters Gone Wild return to party Saturday on American River

A perfect storm of high summer temperatures, a fast moving river and thousands of rafters – some partying with alcohol – Saturday on the American River  has garnered the full attention of law enforcementagencies and rescue organizations.

More than 3,000 rafters are expected to participate in this year’s Rafters Gone Wild event on the American River between Sunrise Boulevard and River Bend Park. This is the second year the event – whose popularity has evolved briskly via Facebook – is taking place.

Last year, roughly 3,500 people flocked to the river, with law enforcement agencies making 12 arrests and providing aid to nearly 100 people.

“The weather is going to be in the high 90s, and that makes people want to get out on the water and drink,” said Jason Ramos, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. “From our standpoint, we have to be prepared.”

The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., is described on Facebook as a day of summer rafting fun for those 21 or older, and will include mud wrestling, cliff jumping, music, homemade grain alcohol and a fruit brew called jungle juice. A river cleanup is slated for Sunday.

It is the alcohol factor that most troubles law enforcement. “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will have problems that come along with alcohol,” said Ramos.

Six law enforcementand rescue agencies will monitor the event.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Events, Rafting, safety

Regional Parks, Safety Crews Warn of Upcoming ‘Rafting Gone Wild’ Event Dangers

On Saturday, July July 14 thousands of rafters and revelers are expected to take the American River in what has become known as “Rafting Gone Wild,” an event promoted through Facebook.

The event has attracted more than 16,000 invites on the Facebook event page with more than 4,300 people apparently planning to go. The total number of invites marks an increase of more than 4,000 people over last year’s event and local law enforcement and rescue crews haven’t lost sight of the inherent dangers now more prevalent than ever.

Because of the enormity of the event, public safety agencies from across Sacramento Couty are joining forces to enforce any applicable laws.

More at Patch.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Rafters ‘getting the message’ about holiday alcohol ban on American River

Titus Cannon did a quick inventory before he hit the American River on Wednesday to join thousands of others for a July Fourth rafting trip.

Red Bull? Check.

Water? Check.

Chips? Check.

Booze? Not a drop.

Cannon, a 21-year-old Sacramento State recreation major, was joining friends Ryan Smith and Hannah Robinson for a downstream trek from the Sunrise access point to William Pond Park, and none seemed to mind the alcohol ban in place now during the summer holidays.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Smith, a 21-year-old criminology major at CSU Sacramento. “Usually, you wouldn’t catch me on the water on a holiday anyways. It’s smart.”

Authorities banned drinking on the river during summer holidays five years ago between Hazel and Watt avenues, and the message appears to be getting across.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

Swimmer drowns in American River

A man drowned while attempting to swim across the American River Tuesday afternoon.

Sacramento City Fire crews, DART and Yolo County Marine Patrols searched off of 1800 Northgate Boulevard at Highway 160, just north of downtown Sacramento, Sacramento City Fire Union spokesperson Tod Filbrun said.

The 53-year-old Sacramento resident attempted to swim across the river, but then had trouble.

“There was actually a floatie out there. It floated down the river from wherever it came from. He swam out to get it. And as he swam out to get it, he got really tired. By the time he got to it, he went under and started calling for help,” witness John Tompson said.

More at News10.net >>>

Events, Rafting, safety

American River Parkway raises fees, enforces alcohol ban for July 4th

Sacramento County officials are reminding people that fees will go up for the July 4 holiday, and so will enforcement – as no drinking will be allowed on the American River Parkway between Watt and Hazel avenues.

Entrance fees will go from $5 to $8 for vehicles for the holiday. Vehicles with trailers or other oversize vehicles will be charged $13 instead of $10.

The county justifies the higher fees because of increased work on the holiday.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting, safety, Water

River drowning victim ID’d as Fair Oaks man

A man who died after getting tangled amid submerged trees in the American River at River Bend Park was identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office on Sunday as Josh Ray Rasmussen, 32, of Fair Oaks.

At 4:41 p.m. Saturday, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District received a report that a man had jumped from a raft into the river and had not surfaced.

A fire boat crew found the man, who had been been tangled in the trees, officials reported.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Rafting

Auburn American River Raft Route Takes Travelers Past Nude Beach

It’s a whitewater jaw-dropper – families rafting on the American River floating right past naked men and women.

It’s happening along a stretch of the north fork of the river just outside of Auburn.

Nudists have been going to the spot for many years, but this year a raft full of kids could be passing by.

“That’s not appropriate for children to see,” one concerned parent said.

But the brand new river-rafting spot doesn’t come with an R rating.

“The potential mix between the family rafting trip and the nude beach is obviously going to create some tension,” said Scott Scheau with Mother Lode River Center.

For nearly 30 years the location has gone unexposed. Nudists have hiked the steep trail down to the beach to bare it all.