As I sit here in the New Wave office, I’m thinking I may have to get the swamp cooler going. It’s 70 degree out front, and our forsythia is blooming. And all this warm weather is having an effect on the river. It’s coming up! It’s at 759 cfs at this moment (you can get this info on our website. Click on “Weather and River Flows”). CFS is an acronym for “cubic feet per second”. Picture this: 759 boxes of water (each box being a cube 12″X12″X12″) going by in a second’s time. That’s 759 cfs. 759 cfs is actually quite a bit of water. It’s enough to run the Taos Box and all other stretches, with ease. Because of this early run-off we may start up a little sooner this year. Our official opening date is April 28, but we might push that up if there’s sufficient demand. So … if you want to go rafting before April 28, give us a call.

What are you doing this summer? Not sure? Well … how about joining up with New Wave’s Guide Training Program this year? The first session begins May 5, the second June 2. We are looking for a few energetic, nature-loving people to add to our guide corps and, to this end, we have made the price of this year’s training very attractive. It’s only $150, for four days of instruction and two weeks of practice.You can’t beat that. Here’s the full scoop: GuideTrainingProg2012b

New Wave Rafting Co will commence 2012 operations on April 28.The first of two Guide Training Program sessions will begin on May 5, followed by the second session on June 2. We are hoping for a very snowy February and March. Join us by “Thinking Snow”.

New Wave owners Kathy and Steve Miller are hard at work teaching skiing at Taos Ski Valley. While much of the country is (at this writing) devoid of snow, we have excellent conditions at Taos SV. We had a busy Holiday season, as skiers came from areas lacking in snow. Just prior to the onset of the busy season, Kathy and Steve vacationed in Hawaii with their children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, Operations Manager Britt Huggins, in the company of guide and girlfriend CJ Robison, rode on his BMW motorcycle all the way to Panama, where they will spend the rest of the winter. Britt will look for work there as a scuba instructor.Guide Ben Rainchild and his girl friend (and guide-hopeful) Heather Mc Reynolds are spending the winter at NWRCo. headquarters in their motor home. They are working as ski instructors at the nearby Sipapu Ski Area.Also spending the winter here, in his travel trailer, is guide Ron Whitney and his pooch Penny. Our friends, the wintering bald eagles, arrived with the first cold weather in Dec.We see them daily on our commute to work or on the property.As the winter continues, we hope that you will join us to “Think Snow”.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is now in the process of making substantial improvements to the River Access point (beach) that both serves as the take-out for the Taos Box run and the put-in for the Rio Grande Gorge run, on the Rio Grande river. The installation of a concrete ramp and increased room for maneuvering vehicles will make for much a much more efficient process, and will reduce conflict with other users. Permanent toilets, changing facilities and picnic tables will also be provided.

Thanks to all of you who rafted with us this year. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to pursue this wonderful profession. We are, truly, very grateful for that. Our raison d’etre (reason for being) remains sharing the Great Outdoors with you. That will never change, but,

in the meantime, please do everything you can to help protect our natural places, which are under constant assault.
Throughout the off-season we’ll no doubt be posting things here from time to time. Probably news and photos from our Fall vacations and winter employment. If you haven’t already, take a look at the various videos produced this summer by our talented videographer (and Operations Manager) Britt Huggins (aka Britt Runyon). They’re found right here, on this Blog.
Think snow, and we look forward to seeing you in 2012.

We are so happy to have the “Service Master” group from Albuquerque with us for the 3rd year! Thanks, it’s always a “BLAST”!

As water levels lower the fly fishing is improving on the Racecourse. We catch smallmouth bass and both rainbow and brown trout. We like to float fish this stretch in the evening. We get whitewater excitement and fishing action at the same time.

Funyaks are available on request and at NO additional cost, for the Rio Grande Gorge full-day trip, the New Wave No Wave half-day float trip and the Racecourse half-day trip. Kids LOVE the funyaks. Unless you are “all thumbs” you should be capable of navigating the rapids on your own in our funyaks. The funyak fleet is always accompanied by guides, either in rafts with other guests or in their own funyaks.

While on a visit to the Glorieta Baptist Assembly, Nate Gerber (aka “Gerb”), the Youth Pastor of the Island Church, of Padre Island, Texas, brought 32 young folks (and a few adults) to raft the Racecourse Class 3 white water stretch. Here’s shots from their trip. Thanks Gerb! See you next time.