What is a Splash-yak?
Splash-yaks are two person, self bailing, inflatable canoes. They are offered as an option to guests looking for even more excitement on the water.

What’s so much fun about Splash-yaks?
Even the most veteran of rafters will get a thrill piloting these boats down the river. Running a splash-yak puts you “right in the heart” of the rapids. You are in control as you snake your way downriver, blasting through the rapids and exploring all the Kern River has to offer.

How do you operate a Splash-yak?
Guests running splash-yaks are instructed by a guide specially trained in the art of running these little boats. After the Trip Leader delivers the general put-in talk, splash-yakers are taken aside and given a mini guide school where they learn some of the finer points of running the river including “ferry angles”, “edie catching”, “boat order”, “highsiding”, “scouting”, and other long standing techniques used to maneuver these boats down the river.

You will also learn and practice “self rescue” methods that allow you to quickly and easily pop back into the drivers seat if you take a brief planned (or unplanned) leave of the cockpit.

Will there be a guide in my splash-yak?
All splash-yak trips include one or two guides who are experts at running these boats. Guides usually place a guest in the front of their boat, but most folks pair up and test their newly found skills together.

Can anyone ride in a splash-yak?
Splash-yaks are designed for guests looking to squeeze even more fun out of a rafting trip, and, they take a bit more concentration and effort than paddling in one of our standard paddleboats. If you’re thinking about requesting one of these boats, it’s recommended that you be in good physical condition and have an ability to follow directions and stay focused as you learn the ropes. Once you do though, you’re hooked!

How stable are they?
Splash-yaks are remarkably stable. At almost 12 feet long, they are only a couple feet shorter than a standard paddle boat and, when participants are “diggin’ in” with their paddles, they can blast through just about anything the rapids can dish up.

How do I reserve one of these?
Give our office a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have and you’ll be one step closer to an unforgettable adventure splash-yaking the Lower Kern.