Whitewater Wednesday 2025 was a great success! Thank you everyone who participated in this event. This wonderful fundraiser wouldn't be possible without our AMAZING sponsors!
Whitewater Voyages, Sierra South, and Momentum Rafting.
Also thank you to Barnes Bargains for sponsoring lunch!
We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
Whitewater Wednesday returns to Kernville, on the Wild & Scenic Kern River!
It will be a fun-filled day of sunshine, water fights, soggy sneakers, and action packed rapids.
On this day only, the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, along with commercial rafting companies operating on the Kern River, will sponsor different trip options:
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The one-hour "Lickety Split Trip" is an inexpensive introduction to whitewater rafting. The run is full of enough lively excitement to challenge just about everyone from tykes to grandmas. One-hour Lickety Split Class I-III, $75/person. Run times are: 10am, 11am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm 3pm or 4pm. Your requested reservation time is approximate.
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Two Hour "Double Lickety" is also available for $100/person. Double the Lickety, Double the fun!
Lunch is included with all trips. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your own lunch. All proceeds go to the Kernville Chamber of Commerce to help fund community projects at the recreation and event center, community room, Christmas in Kernville, as well as maintenance of our community facilities.
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All trips will be led by professional guides and equipment will be provided from the contributing outfitters.
Give this drenching treat to your employees, customers, family and friends, or another, unfortunately dry, loved one. This is a mid week bonus!! The water is going strong this year, making for some exciting trips. Minimum age is 8 years old. This activity is NOT recommended for those with physical limitations. Everyone is required to wear Coast Guard approved life jackets which the outfitters provide. Swimsuits, shorts and a pair of old sneakers are the clothes for the day. We guarantee you’ll wet your pants on the Kern!
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Class I – Very Easy – Flat water with some small waves and ripples
Class II – Moderate – Larger waves but no obstacles. Some splashing.
Class III – Difficult – Longer and rougher rapids. Some maneuvering is necessary in heavy waves and around obstacles. Paddling easily learned under guide’s expertise
Class IV – Very difficult – Faster pace with longer drops, powerful waves, precise maneuvering required around looming obstacles.
White Water Wednesday is Sponsored By:
WHITEWATER VOYAGES, SIERRA SOUTH & MOMENTUM RIVER EXPEDITIONS
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No Refunds unless our event is cancelled.
Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the check in booth or pre-purchased with the link above or by calling 760-376-2629
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Is rafting dangerous?Rafting trips are thrilling, exciting, wet, wild and unbelievably fun. That said, as with all outdoor adventure activities, rafting involves an element of inherent risk. Our guides are trained to minimize these risks, and, statistically, rafting is far safer than many other outdoor sports. The most common injury on most rafting trips is sunburn, and most other injuries occur on land, especially when getting into and out of the boats. We take many first-timers as well as those who do not consider themselves strong swimmers on our rafting trips every day, and they have a great time! When you boat with Whitewater Voyages, all of your equipment, from your Coast Guard-approved, high-float life jacket to your rugged yet lightweight, high-tech, reinforced, T-grip paddle, to your virtually indestructible, self-bailing, compartmented, and unsinkable raft, is state-of-the-art and will serve you well. Your guide will teach you the principles of self-rescue and will also keep an eye on you should you accidentally bump out of the raft. He or she will quickly work with your paddle companions to help you get back in the boat.
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What is the recommended minimum age to go rafting?From fun, forgiving Class III to rip roaring Class V adventures, Whitewater Voyages offers trips to suit just about everyone, young and old! Healthy people of all ages, including spry folks in their 70's and 80's love rafting with Whitewater Voyages! The recommended minimum age varies according to the difficulty of the rafting run, and ranges from 8 on the Lickety Split to 16 on our Class V trips. A recommended minimum age is listed on each trip's page. Recommended minimum ages for the Jungle Run on the Lower Kern is 9 and Lickety Split on the Upper Kern 5 (however ALL guests must weigh at least 50lbs to participate). There are many factors to consider, the most important of which is the safety of your child, you, and others on the trip. In periods of high water, we oftentimes raise the minimum age to account for river conditions. The final decision as to the suitability of a child for a particular run or trip will be left with the Trip Leader of your trip. Non-swimmers: are welcome on Class III, provided they are comfortable with the possibility that they might "take a swim," that is, fall out of the boat. In this case their life jacket would keep them afloat until they are pulled back into the raft. Swimming ability is required on Class IV and V rivers. Size: Each participant must fit into one of our life jackets with all buckles fastened. Our adult life jackets fit a maximum torso circumference of 52 inches. Youths must weight at least 50lbs to fit in our Youth jackets. Medical Conditions: People with a history of heart trouble, asthma, epilepsy, allergy to bee stings, or any other potentially serious medical condition should consult their doctor before coming on a rafting trip. Pregnancy: For safety and liability reasons, we advise pregnant women not to participate in any of our activities. Language: For safety reasons on Class IV and V, all participants must be able to understand our Safety Talk and guide's instructions, which are normally delivered in English. Japanese, Spanish, and Russian speaking guides may be available by special arrangement. On Class III and IV stretches, non-English speakers are most welcome and, unless other arrangements are made, must bring an interpreter. If you have any particular concerns about any of these issues, please feel free to call our reservation center at 800-400-RAFT (7238) 9am to 5pm weekdays PST.
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How cold is the river water?Rivers can be cold during the spring run off period and require wetsuits and paddling jackets. As the spring heads into summer, however, the vast majority of our trips do not require these items. The water temp on the Lower Kern in the summertime routinely comes close to and even can exceed 70f degrees making for perfect rafting conditions.
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What should I wear?Dress with both the water temperature and the air temperature in mind, since you'll be getting wet. In the warm weather of summer, shorts and a T-shirt are good. In the spring time and on cooler days (and always on Class V stretches), we require wet suits or wet suit/paddle jacket combinations. Ask us about renting wetsuits when you call to book your trip. For extra warmth on cool days, it is a good idea to also bring some synthetic fleece, polypro, capilene, or wool garments. In cold weather, don't wear cotton. Wet cotton saps heat, while fleece, poly, wool, and similar fabrics provide insulation even when wet. Shoes: An old pair of tennis shoes or running shoes provide the best foot protection on the river. Wet suit booties are good if it is cold. Tevas and other aquatic/strap-on sandals are okay in warmer weather, but don't offer as much protection. Sunglasses: especially prescription glasses, should have a pair Chums or other retainer that cinches tight. Instead of contact lenses, it is better to wear an old pair of glasses with a head strap. Sunscreen: Use sunscreen, especially on your more horizontal surfaces, including tops of upper legs, shoulders, back of neck and top of nose. However don't put sunscreen on your forehead or the backs of your legs. It may run into your eyes, or cause you to slip off the boat. Protect your forehead and face and back of neck with a hat secured by a chin strap.
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What should I bring in the boat?On most rafting trips, the essentials will include a personal water bottle, and some sunscreen to touch-up during the day. Keys, prescription glasses without a retention strap, wallets, or anything you can't lose, should not be brought on the boat with you. If you have medications such as an EpiPen (for bee-sting or food allergies) or other items that should stay completely dry but remain accessible, place them inside two ziplock bags, and let your guide and the trip leader know. They may put them in with the first aid kit that is brought on every trip, or some other more secure location. If you have any questions, ask your guide, or our friendly staff members when you check in for your trip. They're always willing to help. Medical Condition Alert: Bring Your Own Medication Our staff is prepared to provide basic First Aid, but we are prohibited by law from providing medications, and we are not trained to administer medications or advanced medical care. So, all guests with medical conditions such as susceptibility to anaphylactic shock from bee stings, etc., should bring and keep handy and inform their guide(s) about their own medication/anaphylactic kit.
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How many people ride in each boat?Our boats accommodate 5 to 8 people plus your River Guide.
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Should I leave my guide a gratuity?The river guides work hard to provide you with the finest possible trip. If you feel their services have been extraordinary, a gratuity would be appreciated. This can be given to either your guide or your "Trip Leader'" who will distribute it equally among the crew. Tipping is, of course, optional and solely at your discretion.
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Where can I stay in the Kern River Valley?All of the campgrounds and lodging accommodations are in close proximity. For details on camping and lodging in the Kern River Valley go to the LODGING page.