1. Can you see underwater?
Answer: Yes. Visibility is anywhere from 5 - 30 feet on our snorkel adventures, and differ in various sections (i.e. riffle, run, or pool) We are also at the mercy of mother nature and a little rain will slightly decrease visibility, a lot of rain will entirely eliminate visibility. We do watch the weather, and will either refund your money or re-book your adventure for another time if the trip is cancelled due to mother nature.
Answer: Yes. Visibility is anywhere from 5 - 30 feet on our snorkel adventures, and differ in various sections (i.e. riffle, run, or pool) We are also at the mercy of mother nature and a little rain will slightly decrease visibility, a lot of rain will entirely eliminate visibility. We do watch the weather, and will either refund your money or re-book your adventure for another time if the trip is cancelled due to mother nature.
2. Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Answer: No, but you do have to wear one of our wetsuits (you can wear your wetsuit, but it has to be approved by us first). Our wetsuits are bouyant and will keep you afloat.
Answer: No, but you do have to wear one of our wetsuits (you can wear your wetsuit, but it has to be approved by us first). Our wetsuits are bouyant and will keep you afloat.
3. Is the water cold? How deep is the river?
Answer: On average, water temperatures in the summer are around the upper 60's to mid 70's, with spring and fall temperatures in the high 40's to low 60's. We run trips when the river is above 55 degrees and the ambient (air) temperature is above 70 degrees. Your wetsuit will keep you warm enough. If you get cold, you are welcome to stand up and get warm. The upper French Broad averages several inches to four feet deep in most places, and over 25 feet wide. There are several pools that are more than 10 feet deep.
Answer: On average, water temperatures in the summer are around the upper 60's to mid 70's, with spring and fall temperatures in the high 40's to low 60's. We run trips when the river is above 55 degrees and the ambient (air) temperature is above 70 degrees. Your wetsuit will keep you warm enough. If you get cold, you are welcome to stand up and get warm. The upper French Broad averages several inches to four feet deep in most places, and over 25 feet wide. There are several pools that are more than 10 feet deep.
4. Do I have to sign an acknowledgement of danger and liability release form?
Answer: Yes. There are inherent risks with river snorkeling just as with any outdoor activity like hiking, canoeing, fishing, etc. We assume no liability for personal injury or loss/damage of personal belongings.
Answer: Yes. There are inherent risks with river snorkeling just as with any outdoor activity like hiking, canoeing, fishing, etc. We assume no liability for personal injury or loss/damage of personal belongings.
5. Do I need to make reservations?
Answer: Yes, you should pay for your snorkeling adventure in advance to reserve your spot. We have limited availability on all of our snorkeling adventures and expect them to book fast!
Answer: Yes, you should pay for your snorkeling adventure in advance to reserve your spot. We have limited availability on all of our snorkeling adventures and expect them to book fast!
6. What if I am late, do not show up, or call to cancel a snorkeling adventure? Can I get a refund? What if it is an emergency?
Answer: Read our "Cancellation/Refund Policies" under "Important Info" above.
7. How do I know what size wetsuit I need?
Take a look at the size chart. Our wetsuits have a 200% stretch, so if you can't find your exact measurements.. it's ok. The most important measurements are: Chest/Bust, Height, Weight, Waist...in this order. If you have questions about size, email us or give us a call. You will be taken to a size chart on check- out, you "must" choose wetsuit sizes before you can finish booking the trip.
Take a look at the size chart. Our wetsuits have a 200% stretch, so if you can't find your exact measurements.. it's ok. The most important measurements are: Chest/Bust, Height, Weight, Waist...in this order. If you have questions about size, email us or give us a call. You will be taken to a size chart on check- out, you "must" choose wetsuit sizes before you can finish booking the trip.
8. Can I buy a new wetsuit, snorkel or mask to use on my snorkeling adventure?
Yes, we sell Akona, Sherwood, Xcel, and H2Odessey products. We generally do not keep new merchandise in stock. We place orders once a week on Fridays. Please allow five business days except with Xcel and H2Odessey products. Xcel and H2Odessey products ship from California. We take pride in keeping our equipment in good working order, the wetsuits are cleaned with a eco-safe wetsuit detergent product from Jaws Products that is specifically designed to clean diving gear. Our snorkels and masks are also disinfected after each use.
Yes, we sell Akona, Sherwood, Xcel, and H2Odessey products. We generally do not keep new merchandise in stock. We place orders once a week on Fridays. Please allow five business days except with Xcel and H2Odessey products. Xcel and H2Odessey products ship from California. We take pride in keeping our equipment in good working order, the wetsuits are cleaned with a eco-safe wetsuit detergent product from Jaws Products that is specifically designed to clean diving gear. Our snorkels and masks are also disinfected after each use.
9. How do these snorkeling adventures work?
Answer: Call 270-339-0519 to find out how our snorkeling adventures work.
For all snorkeling adventures on the French Broad River, customers should meet at Champion Park in Rosman, NC 45 minutes prior to the adventure. Look at "driving directions" under "Important Info". We are on a tight schedule for the next snorkel adventure, and recommend everyone be on time (see "Cancellation/Refund Policies).
Answer: Call 270-339-0519 to find out how our snorkeling adventures work.
For all snorkeling adventures on the French Broad River, customers should meet at Champion Park in Rosman, NC 45 minutes prior to the adventure. Look at "driving directions" under "Important Info". We are on a tight schedule for the next snorkel adventure, and recommend everyone be on time (see "Cancellation/Refund Policies).
10. What do I need to bring with me?
1. Begin with a positive ready to explore type attitude.
2. Medication (i.e. blood pressure medication, epi-pen, asthma inhaler, etc.)
3. Closed-toed shoes (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!)
4. Guys can wear swim trunks; Girls can wear swim trunks, too, but need to wear a bathing suit top (one or two piece) or a bathing suit-type material. (NO COTTON SHIRTS!)
1. Begin with a positive ready to explore type attitude.
2. Medication (i.e. blood pressure medication, epi-pen, asthma inhaler, etc.)
3. Closed-toed shoes (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!)
4. Guys can wear swim trunks; Girls can wear swim trunks, too, but need to wear a bathing suit top (one or two piece) or a bathing suit-type material. (NO COTTON SHIRTS!)
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11. What should I NOT bring with me?
1. No open-toed shoes, no open-toe sandals like Chacos, flip-flops, or bare feet. 2. No children under the age of 10, and no one under 75 pounds. |
3. No Alcohol
4. Although we are pet lovers, we can not allow pets on our trips |
12. How do I carry my stuff?
All clothing except for the clothing left in your vehicle. The only things you need to bring are the items you are wearing and a camera or Go-Pro. Leave all phones in your vehicle with your change of clothes.
13. What is the age limit?
We have an age limit of 10, and a 75 lb weight minimum for our snorkeling adventures.
Z-z-zip has an age limit of 10, a 75 lb minimum and a 225 lb. maximum for their tours.
14. How do I get back to my vehicle?
We will get out of the river at your vehicle unless arrangements are made prior to the trip.
We will get out of the river at your vehicle unless arrangements are made prior to the trip.
15. Why do we have to have a guide?
Due to upstream dangers (i.e. paddlers, tubers, etc.) and the inherent risks downstream (i.e. felled trees, rocks, etc.), all of our trips will be guided.
16. Are there snakes?
Answer: There are two venomous snakes that occur naturally here in Transylvania County, the copperhead and the timber rattler (http://bio.davidson.edu/herpcons/herps_of_NC/snakes/snakes.html). All other venomous snake occur in the eastern part of the state. Very rarely will you see a copperhead or a timber rattler in the water. If you do see a snake, it will most likely be a non-venomous northern water snake or non-venomous brown snake.
17. Do we still go if it rains? What about lightning?
Answer: Here in the mountains, we receive on average 80 inches of rainfall per year. Our trips still operate as long as visibility is at least 5 feet whether it is raining or not. We will cancel all trips in the event of a lightning storm. The weather here can change fast, and if a lightning storm happens during a trip, we will locate a sandbar, or low riverbank, and wait it out. Our guides will have emergency thermal blankets & emergency towels to keep you warm.
Answer: Here in the mountains, we receive on average 80 inches of rainfall per year. Our trips still operate as long as visibility is at least 5 feet whether it is raining or not. We will cancel all trips in the event of a lightning storm. The weather here can change fast, and if a lightning storm happens during a trip, we will locate a sandbar, or low riverbank, and wait it out. Our guides will have emergency thermal blankets & emergency towels to keep you warm.