Rafting on the Elaho River in Squamish, BC

When the sun is beating down as it has been in BC for the last few weeks, the only thing you want to be near is cool, refreshing water.

Not one for being idle, I’ve found the best remedy is taking in the sun whilst doing something involving cool splurges into water.

Cue an exhilarating rafting trip. BC is abundant with amazing rivers to kayak or raft and there’s no better place than stunning Squamish (http://www.campingrvbc.com/camping).

So on a particularly sweltering day (ok ok it was 26 degrees, but I am still adjusting to the heat!) I decided it was time to embrace my fears and embark on a rafting trip down the Elaho river.

What stands out about the Elaho river is its beauty. It is simply breathtaking. So when you’re heart is not beating ferociously from the adrenaline of smashing through whitewater, it is being stimulated by the awe inspiring snow-capped mountains that flank the river on this 16km rafting adventure (http://www.canadianoutbackrafting.com).

The Canadian Outback river guides are entertaining (plus they do a lot of the paddling while you sit and enjoy the surrounds on flat sections of the river) and point out the old growth forests, dormant volcanoes, towering glaciers, and stunning waterfalls that cascade hundreds of feet towards the river.

And of course in the space of about three minutes they manage to teach you all of the necessary skills to maneuver through exciting Class 3-4 rapids, including the challenging “Devil’s Elbow” section, made famous by Mark Burnett’s Eco-Challenge Adventure Race.

Usually the water is at a good level, and the day I went I had the chance to swim through some of the more mellow rapids to showcase my prowess in the water ( not really, I was just roasting in the wetsuit!).

And what more could you ask for – in addition to this amazing trip we also managed to glimpse some rare mountain goats, local deer, beavers and even a mother bear and her cubs on the waters edge.Only this time I gleefully opted to stay in the raft!

Written by: Louise Healy