RAFTING AND CANYONING QUALITY FEATURES - ÖTZTAL VALLEY

Rafting only on officially approved rafting routes
Special safety equipment: neoprene suit, life jacket, white-water helmet, sports shoes
Official inspection and licensing of the boars and regular check-ups
Certified rafting and canyoning guides
Before every rafting tour: safety instructions
Guests must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Guests must know how to swim and be in a good physical and mental state
Rafting base must feature a sufficient number of WCs, changing units, showers, car parks

QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR BUSINESSES IN THE ÖTZTAL VALLEY

BOOKINGS

Possibility to get information on the Internet, office/booking
Daily opening hours: Mon - Sat 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Personal customer service by the same advisor
Timely dispatch ot the offers including "getting there" information
Mulitlingual personnel (German, English +)

OUTDOOR CENTER

Ample and free parking
Well-groomed station with sufficient seating and possibiliy to warm-up
Impeccable sanitary facilities (WC and shower rooms)
Spacious changing units
Cabinets and lockers for clothes and valuables
Catering facilities for food and drinks
Opening times, 6.5 days per week
Enough space for larger groups (50 - 100 guests)
Washing facility - (washing machine) for desinfection of the neoprene material

RAFTING EQUIPMENT

Neoprene suit and jacket (3.5 - 4 mm)
Shoes
Certified helmet (CE Norm)
Certified life jacket (CE Norm)

CANYONING EQUIPMENT

Neoprene suit and jacket (5.5 - 7 mm)
Neoprene socks (3 - 5 mm)
Special canyoning shoes
Certified helmet (CE Norm)
Certified life jacket (CE Norm)
Certified harness (CE Norm)
Step IN
Regular servicing of the equipment (check-up, disinfection, replacement of old and faulty equipment with new equipment)

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL GUIDES

Certified rafting guides without exception
Authorised canyoning guides
Mountain guides for via ferratas
Regular training in the different fields
Personnel who is familiar with the place
Mulitlingual (German, English +)
New certified canyoning or rafting guides are assigned to experienced "senior supervisors" in the first years
Guiding on WW routes IV - V only after the 3rd year and only with approval of the company

SAFETY STANDARD

Rafting and licensing conditions of the Tirolean government 2006 for all river sections

ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR RAFTING AND CANYONING

Rafting: a raft (boat) is always accompanied by a safety kayak - no matter which section it is on

Ötztaler Ache River: legally there are always 2 guides on one boat (1 boat, 2 guides + safety kayak rider) guide/guest ratio for one raft is 3:6

Guidlines for rafting routes for children/youths or familiies respectively: Tirolean Rafting Association guidelines

Canyoning: guidelines for group size according to the Tirolean Mountain Sports Association (Tirolean Canyoning Association)