Here at CRI, safety has always been our number one priority. With that in mind, and in light of the current global situation involving the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have made the very difficult decision to suspend operations through the end of June.
It is with heavy hearts, but filled with love for our community, that we are making this announcement. At this time we are no longer taking reservations for the 2020 river season, though we do have hopes of opening our doors again in July, depending on how the pandemic is playing out at that time.
We care very deeply about our little mountain community, as well as the health and safety of all our clients and staff. The whitewater industry is a particularly challenging one, and after having gone over every possible scenario, we just don’t see a way to safely social distance during lessons. Shuttle ride aside, PFD’s need checked for snugness, swimmers need pulled back into boats, occasionally an oar needs grabbed by an instructor… Our method of hands on experiential learning would be greatly compromised by the need to social distance during lessons, (and as mentioned, at times social distancing would prove impossible,) thereby diminishing the lessons themselves and simultaneously compromising both the safety of the lesson and our community.
At this unprecedented time, our priority of safety is no longer limited to safe boating practices, swift water rescue, river etiquette, and safe gear usage. Our actions now more than ever, impact our community at large: The staff at our rural hospital, the elderly in our community, our immune compromised friends and neighbors, as well as our own high risk loved ones.
Please understand, that this is a very difficult decision for us, as teaching whitewater is not only our livelihood, but our passion. We want, more than anything, to be on the water with any and all of you right now… Watching the joy on your face when making that move, figuring out those oar strokes, nailing that line. Watching the fear turn to exhilaration as you come out of the water having caught every eddy you swam for. Hearing the sounds of frustration turn to sounds of joy as things start to click… More than anything, we want to be helping you all through those empowering learning moments, sharing our passion and knowledge.
But this is a time for expedition mentality. There is a bigger picture, and we are all in this together, making compromises for the safety of our community and our country as a whole.
We firmly believe, as members of a small rural community, as a family with a high risk member, and as a business whose business is safety- That the best thing we can do right now is help slow the spread of COVID-19, which means simply not operating for the time being.
We look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces on the water in the future. In the meantime, stay safe, stay sane & stay healthy.
With Care,
Elisha & Alan
- CRI owners/ operators/ instructors