Covid-19 Protocol Instructions for Guests
Triad River Tours' minimalist style, leave no trace whitewater river rafting safety protocols are designed with two goals in mind; to protect human life, and to protect the environment. During the Covid-19 epidemic we are required to operate under additional safety guidelines (click here to watch a quick video). Our Covid-19 safety guidelines have been adopted through collaborative efforts with several organizations and the following standards:
Washington State (available by clicking here).
Outdoor Recreating on Public Land in Washington (available by clicking here).
Recreate Responsibly (available by clicking here)
Federal guidelines set by the CDC for watersport activities (available by clicking here).
Perhaps the most important message of our Covid-19 operating plan is that our primary responsibility remains to operate a whitewater river rafting trip as safely as possible, and that no system will be perfect in its capacity to limit possible transmission of Covid-19. But there are things you can do to help our guides maintain social distancing at the river. Here are some things you can do to help us in prevention of spread while rafting:
Sign your waivers ahead of time. This is one of the primary causes for face to face interactions with staff members, and it has been eliminated from our procedures during Covid-19. Therefore, we will not be doing any waivers at the river. They must be signed ahead of time. Here is the link: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/533b3849af835/web/
Take everyone's temperature before heading out for your trip. We will support a refund or reschedule for anyone who has a party member run a temperature and have to cancel. We completely understand and applaud you for helping us in this way. Note: Every Triad staff member takes their temperature at the start and close of each work day. We will not allow a person with a temperature to come to work and put you at risk, and are asking for, and appreciate deeply, the same consideration.
Avoid bringing snacks and water bottles. We realize that we are accustomed to bringing a powerbar and our nalgene on the river, but since we want to reduce as much hand to mouth exchange as possible, it is best if you could eat and hydrate before the trip and "camel up" instead of snack during the trip.
Arrive early, with your face cover already on. Your guides do not want to become enforcers of the basic rules of Covid. You can help them focus on their real job, which is getting you down the river safely, by taking that responsibility off of them.
Be kind. This has shown to be one of the most important things for us this year. We all need to work together to get down the river, and that never goes well when people are upset. If you have any issues with the trip, or another party in the group, please keep calm, and let your guide or our office know and we will make it right. We have found that a lot of people are stressed out and expectedly just struggling a little bit. It's a weird time for everyone; we believe the way through is compassion and empathy for each other. We are here for you: 360-510-1243.
While there is no way of guaranteeing that you will not be infected with Covid-19 while rafting with us, we will try to mitigate the risk through additional safety measures:
Equipment is now being cleaned with a EPA approved disinfectant such as Simple Green Pro5 or another product available to us from the approved list of disinfectants.
Our staff and customers will be required to wear a face covering. All customers are encouraged to bring their own face covering, and if a customer arrives without a face covering, they will be provided with a basic, single use, disposable surgical mask. Note: Triad will not be providing N95 or reusable masks.
Additional hand washing kits will be kept by each guide on the river. These kits will use biodegradable soap, and can be accessed by rafters on rafts (while not in danger).
Operate trips at reduced capacity, utilizing social distancing procedures, and avoid unnecessary congregating in large groups.
Adopt a more lenient cancellation and reschedule policy to allow guests who are feeling ill or running a temperature to reschedule for a later date as well as give guides more authority to cancel or reschedule a trip when conditions are not perfect, when facilities are overcrowded or unsanitary, or when public access to the river requires added risk of Covid-19 exposure.
Utilize health, body temperature, and symptom tracking procedures for all staff members and guides to prevent a staff member from coming to work while symptomatic.
The staff of Triad River Tours has tirelessly prepared to run this trip with you under these difficult circumstances, and we need your help to work with us as a team. Please, if you have any questions about our Covid-19 operating plan please reference our website, email us, or give us a call at 360-510-1243.
Take care,
Staff of Triad River Tours
