It’s nice to get out of the way if you can. It’s also nice to politely ask to pass if you’re in a hurry as it’s pretty easy for the lead boat to get in slower water and the faster boat throws a couple oar strokes in. From your story, I’d say whoever was impolite first was the asshole.

 

I’d say whoever was impolite first was the asshole.

This.
Even if you were in the wrong, it's easy enough to say "hey, I'd like to get by when you've got a moment." "Oh sure, one second lemme catch the eddy at the bottom."
Sounds to me like they didn't know what they were doing or how to slow their boat and were covering for their inadequacy by being rude.

 

I’d add if someone treated me that way and kept it going at a hot springs later, I’d make sure to point out in front of all parties that the only day he is ruining by being an ass is his own. Go to the river to get away from all that and dismiss those who bring it with them. And get to the side for faster boats…nothing wrong with going slow and enjoying the river for a little longer.

 

A few years ago on the Rogue, I was floating through Kelsey Canyon when I noticed a commercial bag boat gaining on me. I wasn't in a particular rush. I was keeping the boat in the current, but I wasn't rowing hard. He would have passed me no matter what, but why make his life hard? I pulled into an eddy and let him by. He thanked me, then recognized my boat and asked, "How often do you come here anyway?" That was the year I did five Rogue trips. Nice to be nice, and nice to have it returned.

Turns out he set up camp right at Kelsey and had a lot of leisure time before his custies showed up. We camped nearby. He took a swim and hiked back up to his camp through ours. He stopped to chat a bit. Nice fellow.

I've also come upon other groups of folks who weren't really rowing and were clearly going slower than I. I try to get past in the flatwater between rapids. Some folks help by letting me have the current. Others start to row harder to keep me from passing. Er.... All that does is maximize the time we have to mix our groups together. We'd all be better off if they just let me through. I get around anyway, but have to fight an eddy current to do so. It's fine. It's the river. I don't cuss at them, though. They just don't get it.

If there's no good place to pull out of the current, then how the hell could you? That's what you do in the flats.

 

Sounds like someone's got bigger issues than a slow boat in front of them. Bummer to hear that you had to deal with that, and I think it's part of the reason I avoid the Upper C like the plague. Personally if someone's coming up behind me I like to pull over and let them by. Paddle boats always seem to go a lot faster and anytime I've got one coming up behind me I start scanning for an eddy to let them by. If I'm the faster boat or trying to make miles and I'm coming up on someone, I stay back and wait until we get to a good spot, or ask them if I can pass on the next opportunity. Taking the high road instead of taking the bait when someone's an asshole also goes a long way.

 

Sign of the times we live in. Same stuff happening on high ways and city sidewalks.

 

we really need a zombie apocalypse to thin the herd abit.

the easier the run, the more dipshits you’ll run into.

 

Sounds a bit like they were pushy and thought everybody should automatically make way for them without basic etiquette. When we’re the fast boat, usually politely ask/yell what’s the best way to get around them so we don’t mess up their fishing and then do it. Easy peasy even with the territorial fisherman on ABC. When I’m the slow one, usually do what we can to get people past so don’t have to keep thinking and watching out for them behind us.

 

I find it's best to offer than wait to be asked. It's hard to assume the situation but if you knew they were catching up to you, a simple eddy catch, sip a beer etc... may have avoided the situation. After the event if it's still bothering someone then that's their own emotional EQ and issues, learn to let it go and enjoy the day.

 

I don't like being near anyone, so if I'm catching up to someone, I'm likely to eddy out and let them gain or row hard and try to pass them quickly. If someone caught up to me, I'd pull over. But I agree the obligation is on them if there isn't room to go around you, to ask if they can play through.

 

I anticipate assholes on the most crowded reaches. Just 'cause it's real don't make it right.

When I want to pass someone, I row up close enough to let them know my intentions (w/o shouting). 60% of the time they're super cool everytime.

If I want to pass someone but I can't even catch up to chat, how the hell do I think I'm capable of passing them in the first place?

Comms fam. Comms.

 

Usually when I pass fisher people I slap my oars in the water and turn up the boom box to 10. Then maybe I'll do a cannonball to cool off.
Cuz that's how I roll....

 

Rudeness is never acceptable and it sounds like the guy behind you was being an ass. That said, I always try to pull over if someone is coming up on my rear faster than I am floating. I also appreciate it when they do the same for me.

If you're the person pushing someone else downriver, don't just ride their ass and expect them to get out of the way. Be polite about it. Give them space and some opportunity to pull over. If they aren't or haven't noticed you after a bit, holler at them and ask if you can squeeze past them.

 

There's not always an eddy, but there is always slackwater or slower current.

 

I appreciate the responses, thanks!

 

Down river traffic has right of way. Just like paddlers in play holes or waves need to move out of the way of down river traffic has always been my expectation. I will be polite with a, “hey folks, you mind if I pass, I’ve got a camp (or river miles) I want to make”? And then I’ll offer them a beer and keep truckin’. Or if they are taking me over, I’ll offer a beer or a joke. We’re here for a good time, not a long time…

 

I’m sorry you had a bad experience. Never fun. If what you said is true I don’t believe you’re in the wrong. Today the wife and I were doing the town stretch and there was a decent amount of folks on the river. This stretch of the Colorado is wide enough I Never have problems passing besides a few small rapids. I usually keep my distance when it’s narrow or spicy on any river. And when I have the opportunity I pass folks I take it gracefully. Passed a lot of people today. Politely nodded and told a dad and his two girls a joke. Nothing but smiles for miles.

 

If the guy couldnt pass you then he sucks and should be better. You are not required to pull over if he wants to pass, he needs to make that happen. If he cant then its his problem. It is polite but not necessary to pull over. I generally pull over when this happens because why end up with some annoying asshole ruining your day but its not your responsibility. With that being said, if you see commercial rafts coming up behind you, it is very polite to catch an eddy. They are out there working and probably getting sick of trying to entertain their guests so give them a break if you can.

 

We row like hell when we see a 28' boat with 52 drybags, 40 sleeping pads and tents and someone on the sticks you can't see cuz they're in an 8' hole coming up on us

 

Otherwise, agreed. If some gooch is on my ass I pull over, just easier and I'm rarely in that big of a hurry

 

Especially if you’re there to fish.

 

I consider myself both a whitewater rafter and a float fisherman, but I disagree with most of the responses so far...

As others have said, it is nice and considerate to pull over for people behind you when possible but I don't feel obligated. The OP asked about proper etiquette. When I am rowing I treat everything in front of me as an obstacle that I must avoid, whether it is a rock, hole, strainer, or another boat. I do not believe it is my responsibility to move out of the way of people who cannot avoid the obstacles in front of them.

Now of course if someone politely asks me to make room I'm happy to oblige when possible.

I also make a point to keep a wide space between myself and any fishing craft as I believe it is rude to run my boat through the water they are fishing. If I cannot stay far enough away from them I make sure to pass on the side that they are not casting towards and let them know I am passing. This gives them a heads up to stop casting for a moment to avoid hitting me or my boat with their back cast.

After all, they were there first. They got up and on the water earlier than I did, and that entitles them to it before me. They get first dibs on launch ramps (that's a whole other can-o'-worms related to river etiquette), campsites, fishing holes, lunch stops, lines, etc...

From the OP's description, it sounds like it occurred near Eye of the Needle (Needle's Eye). The canyon can get tight in areas, especially at lower flows. In my opinion the OP was in the right and the other two boats were the a$$holes.

 

I was out doing that same run on the same day. Pumphouse to radium is so chill, there's no need for anyone to be upset. Like is the guy mad he didnt get down to the piss infested hot spring fast enough? its an area notorious for fishing/fish floating, the only rapid on the run is only really a rapid at high water. If you're looking to ricky bobby it, this is the wrong run for you. I expect to see a lot of people just casually floating down stream here, every time i go. Either so they can fish, or so they can drink.

I'm new to the rafting game, in fact this past weekend is the first time i've run a raft trip on my own (had two others that know nothing about rivers just along for the ride, ive been WW kayaking for three years now), so it is interesting to hear the conversation on what the etiquette is. But I just don't understand why anyone would be in a rush to do pumphouse to radium. It takes like 2 hours to run it.

 

Around here on the MF Flathead the commercials are usually trying to do a 2-hr cycle on a 1.5hr float, so they're pushing the custies pretty hurd.
We generally let them play through and they're good about passing in the slack water and not the rapids.

Last year we were fighing a headwind so I kept the oars moving. I had the front boat of a commercial group try to pass me in 2 consecutive rapids even though I was still 1/8mi in front of their pack.
So I kept leisurely pushing and she kept whipping her crew trying to reel me in. We got farther and farther from their flotilla. I finally let her pass and then she realized where her flotilla was...and she eddied out to wait for them. I waved and smiled real friendly-like.

 

Ita easy to tell if someone is gaining on you and overall floating faster. Just eddy out for 60 seconds and let them pass (if safe). I'd rather waste a minute than experience a longer time frame of annoyance/uncomfortability. Don't stay in the way out of principle if you can tell they want to pass.

Likewise, if someone isn't getting out of my way and I can't reasonably pass them and they arent taking the hint, then I will eddy out for 5-10 minutes to let them get more ahead. Maybe I'll just end up dealing with it again later when I catch up but who knows. It lowers my blood pressure in that moment.

The most annoyed it get is when a group/person decides to push off practically right in front of you.

 

The most annoyed it get is when a group/person decides to push off practically right in front of you.

That can get dangerous on some runs. Anyone that oblivious I avoid entirely, hang back if I need too.

 

My ASSumption is that they were playing go go Rabbit to get a camp below Radium and spent more time in traffic out of Denver than on the river. Maybe they had a fun evening, but those folk don't seem to have much fun on the water.
In my opinion there is some river etiquette, as decribed above, in such scenarios, but once someone digresses to the finger and rude commentary, screw 'em. They'll get around, sip your barley soda and appreciate that you're having fun, and they are... exercising?