rafting down the river

Into the Current

Resources and Blog

Family of three getting ready to raft down a river.

History of Crab Apple Whitewater & Original Whitewater Rafting Guides

Our History Crab Apple Whitewater was founded by Chuck and Sharyn Peabody in 1983. The Peabody’s first left Hingham on the south shore of Boston to find adventure in Maine in 1981. Chuck left steady work as a foreman in a rubber factory in Brockton and Sharyn gave up homemaking to relocate in The Forks. In […]
yellow face question mark emoji

The Best Questions We’ve Ever Been Asked While White Water Rafting

The Best Questions We’ve Been Asked Getting to go white water rafting every day is the coolest job in the world as far as we are concerned. Each day brings a new adventure, and with every group of rafters comes questions. Lots and lots of questions. While some of them we get—like what to wear […]
Family of 4 on a river raft

What To Bring on a Commercial Whitewater Rafting Trip

  If you are joining a commercial outfitter for a rafting trip, you have a shorter list of water rafting essentials “to bring” than if you are on a private trip. Typically, a professional whitewater rafting outfitter will provide food and drink, all rafting safety equipment, etc., that you may need during your trip. On […]
rafters holding onto the raft rope as they fall sideways down the river

“Dump Truck” Maneuver: Rafting Tips

The “Dump Truck” Maneuver A “dump truck” in rafting occurs when all of the passengers in a raft are “dumped” out during a rapid. There are a few points to consider in determining what constitutes an actual “dump truck”, the main factor being whether all of the paddlers fall out of the raft. If even […]
group of rafters falling in the water as their raft flips over

What to Do If a Raft Capsizes or Flips Over in the Rapids

Commercial rafts can potentially flip over in Class III, IV or V whitewater rapids. Rafts could capsize in very large waves, hydraulics or by hitting rocks. Most flips can be avoided by skillful guiding and good paddling by the crew. However, sometimes Mother Nature wins the “battle” and a raft can turn upside down in […]
group of rafters floating on the river as they all pose for the camera

Minimum Age Requirements for Whitewater Rafting Trips

Guests often ask about appropriate ages for whitewater rafting trips. River rafting outfitters vary and river trips vary on how to coordinate rapid classifications and minimum ages for family rafting adventures. There are no hard and fast rules, but here are some factors in determining minimum ages: length of time on the river, difficulty of […]
Kayaker enjoys the river on an inflatable kayak, or "funyak."

What is a Funyak?

Kayak vs. funyak Kayaks come in many shapes and sizes and have different uses on lakes, ponds, rivers and the ocean. “Funyaks” are inflatable kayaks generally only used in whitewater. Inflatable kayaks have advantages in terms of storage and portability but hard shelled kayaks offer many more performance options. Funyaks have an open cockpit so […]
Rafter reaching out to a friend who has fallen in the river.

Whitewater Rafting in New England: What To Do If You Fall Out of the Raft

If you fall out of an inflatable white water raft during a whitewater rafting trip, there are several things to remember in order to be safe. The overall key to getting back in the raft safely is to stay calm and not panic. Clear thinking will help you get back in the raft much quicker. […]