French Broad Rafting Expeditions recently experienced tragedy when their outpost caught fire and owner's Michael and Mitch Hampton lost everything. The twin brothers started French Broad Rafting 4 years ago and take an average of 8500 people down the French Broad River every year. The family owned rafting company employs 45 people and contributes significantly to the local economy and the community. Among many other activities, French Broad Rafting volunteers for river rescue and flood victim rescue, donates rafting trips to non-profit organizations, and participates in local school fundraisers and charity events.

French Broad Rafting Expeditions has purchased 3 acres of land and is currently building a new outpost. The French Broad Rafting Expeditions staff is currently busy taking reservations for the 2007 season. Book your trip today!

• Call our 24 hour reservation line at 828-273-RAFT (7238)
• Make your reservation with our friendly staff
• Reserve your trip with a check or credit card
• Arrive at the French Broad Rafting Expeditions Outpost 15 to 30 minutes prior to trip time
• Have fun!

French Broad Rafting Expeditions has a 24-hour reservation line. Call us and let our friendly reservations staff assist you in scheduling your rafting trip. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation and this can be done with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or check (time permitting). Trips booked within 48 hours of the date of the trip require full payment with a credit card. Please arrive at French Broad Rafting Expeditions 15 to 30 minutes prior to trip time.

Download your waivers and complete prior to your arrival at French Broad Rafting Expeditions. 

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French Broad Rafting Expeditions cancellation policy
Deposits are refundable with a call to our office with a minimum 48 hour notice. Any cancellations under 48 hours to trip time will result in forfeit of the deposit. Trips booked under 48 hours in advance are not eligible for refunds. French Broad Rafting Expeditions whitewater rafting trips go rain or shine, 7 days a week, March through October.
If you need to reschedule your trip within the 48 hours to trip time, a $50 rescheduling fee will apply.

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Spring and Fall - Layers, Layers, Layers!!! Complimentary wet suits (please wear swim suits underneath) and splash gear are provided for all guests. We recommend wool or polypropylene sweater and nylon pants and then the splash gear as the top layer. DO NOT WEAR sweatshirts, sweatpants or jeans for your rafting trip. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals with strap the back or old tennis shoes). You may want to wear wool socks with shoes during this time of season.
Summer - Swim suit, shorts, t-shirt or tank shirt. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals with a strap on the back or old tennis shoes).
Additional things to remember - shoes, sunscreen, hat, strap for glasses, towel and a change of dry clothing for after the trip. If you forget these items we do have them for sale in our store.

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Frequently Asked Questions for French Broad Rafting Expeditions on the French Broad River.

• I have never done this before, how does this work?
• Which trip is right for my family?
• Do I need reservations?
• Can I get a discount?
• What is a duckie?
• What does guide assisted mean?
• Is there a cancellation policy? - What if I need to cancel?
• What should I wear on the river?
• Will I fall out of the raft?
• Do I need to know how to swim?
• Are trips canceled when it rains?
• Is there an age limit?
• Is there a photographer for pictures?
• Is whitewater rafting safe?
• Is tipping my guide/driver appropriate?

I have never done this before, how does this work?
On the day of your trip, arrive at the designated outpost 30 minutes prior to your trip time. Check-in at the store to complete your waivers and process your payment. Lock everything in your car that you don't want wet, lost or broken. Your trip leader will collect your car keys and we keep them in the store during your trip. You will get outfitted for your gear, load the bus and we will drive you to the put-in. Enjoy your trip with your talented and humorous guide! We will then meet you at the take-out and drive you back to the outpost.

Which trip is right for my family?
The five mile trip is our most popular trip and is a great introduction to whitewater rafting. It is exciting but not overwhelming. The nine mile trip is an extension of the five mile trip with a higher level of excitement at the end with the class III+ and the class IV.

Do I need reservations?
YES! Because we guarantee a guide in every raft, we strongly encourage making a reservation so we can have the appropriate staffing for the day. If you are planning to come in July or August I recommend making your reservation early (by mid-May) because we close out quickly.

Can I get a discount?
We offer a 10% discount to groups of 10 or more people.

What is a duckie?
A duckie is an inflatable kayak made for one person. It is recommended to be in good physical condition to paddle a duckie on the whitewater section of the French Broad River. Due to a limited quantity, please request a duckie at the time of reservations.

What does guide assisted mean? The only trips we offer that are guide assisted are on the calm water section. Guide assisted means there may be 4 rafts in the water with only one guide to assist the trip down the river.

Is there a cancellation policy - What if I need to cancel?
Yes you can cancel your trip, but please keep in mind of our cancellation policy which states as follows: Deposits are refundable with a call to our office with a minimum 48 hour notice. Any cancellations under 48 hours to trip time will result in forfeit of the deposit. Trips booked under 48 hours in advance are not eligible for refunds. French Broad Rafting Expeditions whitewater rafting trips go rain or shine, 7 days a week, March through October. If you need to reschedule your trip within the 48 hours to trip time, a $50 rescheduling fee will apply.

What should I wear on the river?
Spring and Fall - Layers, Layers, Layers!!!
Complimentary wet suits (please wear swim suits underneath) and splash gear are provided for all guests. We recommend wool or polypropylene sweater and nylon pants and then the splash gear as the top layer. DO NOT WEAR sweatshirts, sweatpants or jeans for your rafting trip. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals with strap the back or old tennis shoes). You may want to wear wool socks with shoes during this time of season.
Summer - Swim suit, shorts, t-shirt or tank shirt. REQUIRED: shoes that won't come off in the water (sandals with a strap on the back or old tennis shoes).
Additional things to remember - shoes, sunscreen, hat, strap for glasses, towel and a change of dry clothing for after the trip. If you forget these items we do have them for sale in our store.

Will I fall out of the raft?
Possibly!! There is a chance that you may fall out of the raft. But relax and enjoy the float. Your guide will get you back in the raft very quickly. BUT, before you even begin your trip and touch the water, your trip leader will go through a safety talk on whitewater rafting and what will happen if you should fall in the water.

Do I need to know how to swim?
No. We have taken many children and adults down the French Broad River who do not know how to swim. Not only does French Broad Rafting Expeditions provide top quality safety equipment (life jacket and helmet), but our guides go through extensive swift water rescue training along with being certified in CPR & first aid.

Are trips canceled when it rains?
No. We go whitewater rafting rain or shine.

Is there an age limit?
Yes. Our minimum age limit for whitewater rafting is 8 years old. Our minimum age limit for calm water rafting is 4 years old.

Is there a photographer for pictures?
Yes so smile pretty when you are coming through that rapid. All Terrain Images is on the side of the river to take your picture from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. When you get back to the outpost after your trip, you can view your photos on the computers in the store. You can have all of your pictures copied to a CD or have prints made while you wait.

Is whitewater rafting safe?
Like all adventure activities, whitewater rafting is a risk. French Broad Rafting Expeditions does not assume liability for personal injuries. You will be asked to read and sign a waiver agreement prior to your trip. We do not allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to go on any of our trips. No refunds will be made.

Is tipping my guide/driver appropriate?
The raft guides and bus drivers are providing a professional service to you, your family, or your group. All of your guides depend on tips as part of their salary. A good rule of thumb is to tip your guide as you would a server in a restaurant, 20% of the trip (of course, any tipping is at your own discretion). Gratuity is deeply appreciated.

French Broad Rafting Expeditions requires all guests to sign a waiver. Please download the waiver and fill out and bring with you at the time of your trip. (You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the waivers from our website).

OR you can simply complete the waiver form at check-in at the Outpost.
Download waiver—Guests 18 years and older
Download waiver—Guests 17 years and under (must be completed by a parent/guardian)

FBRE makes every reasonable effort to ensure a quality and fun rafting trip. However, there are certain conditions in whitewater rafting beyond our control. All guests are required to sign a waiver and participate at their own risk. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be excluded from trips. No refunds.

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Laughs, smiles, and great memories! As you are paddling down the 5 mile or 9 mile whitewater section of the French Broad River...Smile Pretty!

All Terrain Images will be on the side of the river taking pictures of your whitewater rafting adventures. All Terrain Images is on the site from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. When you arrive back at French Broad Rafting Expeditions Marshall Outpost, you can view your photos and have prints made or copied to a CD.

4 X 6 - $10  5 X 7 - $15  8 X 10 - $20   CD - $35

NOTE: Groups of 15 or more can recieve a special rate for all of the photos on a CD. Call French Broad Rafting Expeditions to make arrangements. 828-273-RAFT

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