Best of Boat Worlds
Start your day in a raft, finish your day on a sit-on-top kayak. “The Best of Boat Worlds” a one day water adventure merging the Deerfield River’s most popular guided programs. Our guides will help you become familiar with the gear and techniques, and they’ll be there throughout the trip to provide help and guidance as needed.
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Experience the Berkshire hills from two perspectives. Our Zoar Gap and Guided River Kayaking package combines two of our popular river activities into the perfect getaway. This special package includes:
Zoar Gap Rafting
This half-day rafting trip starts at 10:30am and takes you down a section of the Deerfield River through class II and III whitewater. You will have the chance to admire the beautiful landscape of the Berkshire Mountain range with chances to dip your toes in and swim. Our kitchen will provide you homemade lunch to be enjoyed halfway through your day of adventure. Best of Boat Worlds guests receive 10% off their rafting photos.
Guided River Kayaking
Paddle a five mile stretch of up to class II whitewater after lunch. While you don’t need extensive previous paddling experience, you should have some canoeing or kayaking experience, or be gung-ho, in good physical shape and comfortable in the water. You will have to paddle and may have to self rescue by climbing back up onto the kayak from the water or swimming the kayak, the paddle and yourself to shore. You’ll end your trip back at the Zoar Outdoor base and will have your evening free to explore the local hiking trails or head out to see the surrounding towns
Please be on time, since we must work within the schedule of water releases decided on by the power company. Your confirmation email will provide the exact meeting time of your trip. You will be required to read and sign a release of liability at this time.
All guests will be required to wear a Zoar Outdoor issued PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and helmet. You will also be provided with a paddle. Trips take place on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River in Northwestern Massachusetts.
What to Bring
For Rafting & Kayaking:
Expect everything you bring on the raft and in the kayak to get wet!
Best options for clothing:
- Bathing suit and/or shorts in the warmer weather, long pants and sweater made of wool, nylon, fleece, or polypropylene in the colder weather.
- Sneakers or other shoes that can get wet and can remain securely on your feet during a whitewater swim. (Bare feet and flip-flops are not allowed)
- Avoid cotton clothing such as blue jeans, sweatshirts, or t-shirts as cotton keeps you cold when it gets wet and are not appropriate for this activity.
- We provide all the in-raft equipment!
A few more details:
- Wetsuits, splash jackets, and neoprene river booties are available for rental if you need them. Call our office or inquire when you arrive, and we’ll get you set-up!
- Bring any required medications as well as extra money for souvenirs or any other goodies.
- Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration; we’ll collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, and then return them to you when you get back to Zoar.
Pre-Trip Requirements
All Participants must be 10 years old and up!
For all of our whitewater trips, guests must be able/willing to do the following:
- Wear a helmet and our personal flotation device (PFD)
- Respond to and follow verbal or visual instruction
- Roll from front to back in water while wearing a PFD
- Demonstrate dynamic sitting position (sitting upright), and float with feet up in water.
- Be able to walk on rocky, uneven ground and descend staircases with no railings.
Specifically, for our Zoar Gap trip, guests should be able to:
- Paddle in the rapids, but with frequent rests
- Remain calm, lay flat, and orient their body so their feet are aiming downstream if they find themselves unexpectedly in the water
Our PFDs fit a maximum chest size of 56 inches.
Remember to read your confirmation letter (there is a lot of useful information in there!).
Call our office if you have any additional questions: 413-339-4010. They’re always happy to help!