- Great soft-adventure fun
- Minimal impact on the environment
- friendly guides
- No children under age 8
- Some risk of injury
- no tours when river level is too low, so call first
- Price: $45 per person
- Time: 1-1/2 hours
- Limitations: No rafters under age 8 or over 250 lbs.
- Hours: tours at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.
- Minimum group of 10 required; maximum 40 per tour
- Location: St. Andrews Parish, 45 min. drive from St. George
- Phone: 473-444-5337
- E-mail: adventure@caribsurf.com
The river provides the impetus to move you downstream. In places, the water in the raging little river is so shallow that if your butt isn't up, spreading your weight as widely as possible, you and your big yellow tube will stick in the rocks tighter than gum to hot pavement. But no worries. A guide will soon be at your side to give you a good-natured shove and get you on your way again.
Halfway down the river, the rapids subside into a deep, quiet pool. The little oasis lies in the midst of several low cliffs perfect for an impromptu cannon-ball contest. It's like the best pool party you've ever been to, but better somehow because there's no concrete or chlorine.
Afterwards, it's back into the tubes to race through another stretch of bumpy rapids. Keep your head up, your hands in and your feet out. A bit of bash and splash and then suddenly the river flattens out, someone breaks out a jug of rum punc, and you sit on the warm rocks at the river's edge.
Part of the fun here is that you feel as if you're visiting old friends. The Balthazar Boys all live in the rainforest that surrounds their workplace. There are no cities nearby, no shopping malls, no video arcades. Instead, there are a few small villages, a lot of lush vegetation and an immense feeling of peace. Life is simple and serene and hasn't changed much for generations. It's a warmth that rivals the sunshine and it makes you want to go back and ride the rapids with the Boys again and again.
