Our Company
Our roots lie deep in the Grand Canyon. O.A.R.S. was the first oar-powered outfitter permitted to run the Colorado through the Grand Canyon back in 1969. Over 30 years we've built our operations --- based upon delivering superior personal service, hiring only the best guides, and using the highest quality, impeccably maintained equipment --- to cover more rivers of the West than any other river company.
As the largest and most diverse river company in the West, running rivers throughout Idaho, Utah, California, Oregon, Wyoming the Grand Canyon, and even internationally, O.A.R.S. is uniquely positioned to build for you a spectacular vacation or quick getaway that you'll treasure forever. Here's how it began...
George Wendt, president and founder of O.A.R.S. barely missed being one of the first 1000 people ever to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. That trip fostered a dream for him, that later came to fruition, forever changing the life of this former middle school science teacher.
In 1969, that dream came true; with his friend Ed Gooch, Wendt established Gooch-Wendt Expeditions, running professional trips on the Colorado River. Shortly thereafter, the company was selected as the first small-raft, oar-powered operator in the Grand Canyon, and was appropriately renamed O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists).
In 1972, Wendt and his wife Pam took over full operation of O.A.R.S. In 1974, they left their home in Los Angeles and moved to the small Sierra Nevada foothill town of Angels Camp in Calaveras County just miles away from the free-flowing Stanislaus River. O.A.R.S. began to gain wide recognition as a full time river outfitter, running high quality trips on the Stanislaus, American, and Tuolumne rivers in California, and the Rogue River in Oregon, in addition to the Grand Canyon.
Although O.A.R.S. has grown its operations and reputation substantially over the last 35 years, becoming the largest and most diverse river company in the West, our ongoing mission has remained the same.
O.A.R.S. Mission and Goals
Mission
We strive to enrich people's lives by providing outstanding adventure experiences. Our goal, since 1969, has been to help people of all ages enjoy "the best outdoor experience of their lives." We personally encourage and actively support awareness, deeper appreciation, and preservation of our rivers and natural ecosystems. Our trips are great adventures that emphasize heightened attentiveness to human impact on the environment.
Goals
- To maintain sustainable growth at all levels of our operations
- To operate responsible tourism
- To give the highest quality of service possible to our clientele
- To involve local communities in our programs
- To conserve and protect the environment and all that lives within
- To provide ongoing training for our staff and guides
- To educate our staff and clients about the environment
"We're told that the best thing you can provide to children is a positive role model. We are much in O.A.R.S.' debt for providing exactly that for our grandsons. All your staff were great... the kids will never forget them." --Bill Connelly, Suffield, CT
O.A.R.S. Historical Highlights and Accomplishments
1969 |
River rafting becomes a business |
| 1972 | O.A.R.S. is incorporated as a fully operational river rafting company |
| 1973 | Sobek Expeditions is established and becomes part of the O.A.R.S. consortium The first commercial trip is on Ethiopia's Omo River |
| 1978 | First descent of the Bio Bio in Chile |
| 1979 | O.A.R.S. establishes its first whitewater training and guide school |
| 1981 | First descent of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe |
| 1985 | 50% office growth O.A.R.S. begins producing videos to showcase tour programs |
| 1986 | First descent of the Alas River in Sumatra O.A.R.S. aids production of PBS documentary on Colorado Plateau issues entitled "Troubled Waters." |
| 1988 | Acquisition of Grand Canyon Dories |
| 1990 | Development of sales for international river programs Acquisition of Parklands Expeditions in Jackson Hole, Wyoming O.A.R.S. is featured in PM Magazine |
| 1991 | Acquisition of Northwest Dories David Brower joins benefit trip in Cataract Canyon to increase awareness of Glen Canyon Dam O.A.R.S. provides support for production of ESPN documentary entitled "Tournament of Champions" |
| 1992 | George Wendt represents America Outfitting Industry, testifying before the Senate Subcommittee for river preservation |
| 1993 | Develops sea kayaking and whale watching programs |
| 1994 | 25th anniversary celebration in Angels Camp |
| 1995 | Begins operations on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho |
| 1996 | Establishes award-winning presence on the world wide web with "O.A.R.S. Online" |
| 1997 | Facilitates the first ever virtual Colorado River Expedition through the Grand Canyon via Discovery Channel Online Permitted to operate in Dinosaur National Monument on the Yampa River and the Gates of Lodore section of the Green River Acquires North American River Expeditions, offering rafting and multi-sport vacations in Canyonlands National Park |
| 1998 | Develops premier international adventure travel programs in Fiji Assists in production of documentary that retraces Major John Wesley Powell's legendary decent of the Colorado River for PBS' The American Experience and Journeys through Hell, a segment of ZDF, German public television. |
| 1999 | Obtains permit to run the North Fork of the Stanislaus River Provides Salmon River trip for Get Challenged, a national non-profit organization dedicated to building the self esteem of people living with HIV/AIDS. Get Challenged produces a documentary film based on the trip |
| 2000 | Successfully negotiates with the government of Fiji to establish the Upper Navua Conservation Area -- a unique public-private partnership protecting this pristine river environment in Fiji Becomes founding member of the Adventure Collection |
| 2001 | Coordinates the river filming of the new IMAX theater film, MacGillivray Freeman's Coral Reef Adventures released in 2003 Receives international recognition from the WTO (World Tourism Organization) for the Rivers Fiji top-rated ecotourism enterprise |
| 2002 | Rivers Fiji plays host to the Eco-Challenge race event on the Navua River, receiving international media coverage Acquires partnership interest in R.O.A.M. (Rivers, Oceans and Mountains) to operate rafting and sea kayaking trips in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory |
| 2003 | Middle Fork of the Salmon River trip selected as one of The Top Twenty-Five Adventures in the World by National Geographic Adventure magazine R.O.A.M. and O.A.R.S. gain exposure through ESPN's "Last Man Standing" reality series that was filmed at Chilko Lake in British Columbia O.A.R.S. provides 6-day rafting adventures in Utah as the grand prize for the nationally renowned McDonald's Best Chance Monopoly Game, further bolstering its recognition as a household name in the adventure industry |
| 2004 | Whitewater legends George Wendt and then 87-year old Martin Litton, row the Colorado through Grand Canyon to celebrate O.A.R.S. and Grand Canyon Dories 35th and 40th anniversaries, respectively. O.A.R.S. hosts Robert Kennedy Jr. and Christie Todd Whitman for an eco-debate on the Main Salmon in Idaho O.A.R.S.’ Klinaklini Heli-Rafting Expedition named one of the “100 Best Trips on the Planet” by Men’s Journal O.A.R.S. provides 6-day rafting adventures in Idaho for the second year as the grand prize for the nationally renowned McDonald’s Best Chance Monopoly Game O.A.R.S. partners with American Express as part of the Member Rewards Program |
| 2005 | O.A.R.S. provides Grand Canyon rafting trip for people with disabilities through the organization Environmental Traveling Companions Town and Country and Men’s Journal magazines both feature O.A.R.S.’ Grand Canyon trip as one of the Best Trips on the Planet NBC features the Tuolumne Wine on the River Trip as part of their award winning series, "In Wine Country" O.A.R.S. debuts a whitewater rafting series for Women Only National Geographic covers the Firth River - 25 years after the first descent Travel & Leisure covers Chilko Multi-Sport Adventure Spa trip in the wilds of British Columbia O.A.R.S. goes international in a big way – adding Peru, Ecuador, Galápagos and Chile Multi-sports to complement existing international rafting and sea kayaking trips 88-year old Martin Litton rows a dory and documentary film crew down the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Patagonia and O.A.R.S. collaborate for a series of Arctic awareness events across the country O.A.R.S. forms strategic marketing partnerships with REI, Teva, Smith Optics and Royal Robbins |
| 2006 | O.A.R.S. introduces the online OARStore designed to meet the activity specific packing and gear needs of the O.A.R.S. traveler Premier of the O.A.R.S. "River of the Wild West" High Definition promotional film, set to the sounds of Bluegrass music performed by O.A.R.S. guides Taking the lead from the overwhelming success of the Wine on the River series, O.A.R.S. rolls out their new Wilderness Gourmet series featuring gourmet chefs and culinary instruction on the river Wilderness Gourmet receives unprecedented media attention through Men's Journal and Shape Magazine with the first ever trip on the Rogue River in Oregon covered by Sunset Magazine Men's Journal features O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon trip as one of "25 Classic Adventures Trips and How to Do Them Right" O.A.R.S. hosts Tom Brokaw on a charter trip for Men's Journal on the Middle Fork of the Salmon Working with Teva, O.A.R.S. coordinates the river filming of the new IMAX film, MacGillivray Freeman's "Grand Canyon Adventure" George Wendt honored by the Adventure Travel Trade Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award O.A.R.S. forms innovative new partnerships with the Leave No Trace, Center for Outdoor Ethics and commits to training guides company-wide in LNT practices O.A.R.S. commits to voluntarily offset and help neutralize all of the energy used by our main office in California and our Grand Canyon operation in Arizona through a innovative new partnership with NativeEnergy Grand Canyon Dories featured in Conde Nast, "World's Best" issue |
| 2007 | O.A.R.S. purchases 613 tons of carbon offsets in 2007, which has the same global warming offset impact as keeping 100 average cars off the road for an entire year Receives recognition from the nationally syndicated NBC series, "In Wine Country" for "Best Wine Country Adventure" on the Tuolumne River in California Creation of the new O.A.R.S. blog for past guests and adventure enthusiasts - Waterblogged - http://blog.oars.com |
| 2008 | The company goes 100% solar for their warehouse and main office operations in Angels Camp, California, and for their warehouse and office in Flagstaff, Arizona, for their Colorado River operations in the Grand Canyon. These two new systems are expected to generate over 123 kWh of electricity their first year and every year thereafter - enough to keep 8 medium-sized houses supplied with electricity for a year. This will result in a reduction of approximately 180,000 lb - over 90 tons of green house gases (mainly carbon dioxide) per year |
O.A.R.S. Methods of Responsible Tourism
O.A.R.S. and the companies of the Adventure Collection are professionally committed to the cultural and environmental well being of the places we visit and where we operate. We follow expertly designed on-the-ground practices. We seek to create inspirational experiences for guests and students, and we support a variety of institutions that further these ideals.
Furthermore: O.A.R.S. staff members personally encourage and actively support awareness, deeper appreciation, and preservation of our rivers and natural ecosystems. Our trips are great adventures that emphasize heightened attentiveness to human impact on the environment.
- Ensuring minimal impact on the environment by using responsible leadership and maintaining small groups.
- Preparing travelers for each encounter with local cultures, plants, and animals; teaching them environmentally sound ways of enjoying the wilderness.
- Avoiding areas that are under-managed and over-visited.
- Providing eco-tourism as a viable economic alternative to resource extraction.
- Ensuring our staff know and participate in all aspects of company policy to prevent adverse impact on the environment and local cultures.
- Giving all levels of our staff access to programs that upgrade their ability to communicate effectively with our guests.
- Contributing to the conservation of visited regions with voluntary donations and permit fees.
- Providing competitive, local employment in all aspects of business operations and participating in recycling programs both on and off the water.
Solar Power
Beginning in 2007, O.A.R.S. committed to further reduce our dependence on fossil fuel-generated power with new solar energy installations at our warehouse and main office in Angels Camp, CA and for our Grand Canyon operations warehouse and office in Flagstaff, AZ. These two new systems together will generate over 123,000 kWh of electricity annually - enough to keep 8 medium-sized houses supplied with electricity for a year. The transition to solar energy will result in a reduction of approximately 180,000 lb of green house gas emissions - over 90 tons (mainly carbon dioxide) per year.
In our continued effort to do all that we possibly can to help preserve the environment, we also plan to double our electrical generating capability in 2008 by adding additional solar energy installations at our warehouses and offices in Lewiston, ID, Jackson, WY and in Vernal, UT.
To support our solar installations in California, O.A.R.S. has partnered with Acro Electric, Inc. a full service electrical contractor in the Central Valley specializing in Solar Power.
O.A.R.S. is proud to work with, and actively support the following organizations:
Native Energy
NativeEnergy is dedicated to fighting global warming through the support of Native American, farmer-owned, charitable-purpose renewable energy projects that create social, economic and environmental benefits.
Leave No Trace
O.A.R.S. is a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. We share in, practice and support Leave No Trace skills and ethics and believe in the stewardship of America's public lands. Join us in our work to Leave No Trace by following these seven, simple principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Alaska Wilderness League
The Alaska Wilderness League supports legislative and administrative initiatives to protect Alaska’s lands and waters, promotes national and local recognition of Alaska’s spectacular environment through public education, strengthens grassroots activism on behalf of Alaska’s environment, and provides leadership within the environmental community on selected issues that concern Alaska.
Friends of the River
Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, the organization grew to become California's statewide river conservation group. Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds. The organization accomplishes its mission by providing public education, citizen activist training and organizing, and expert advocacy to influence public policy decisions on land, water, and energy management issues.
Sustainable Travel International
Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.
Grand Canyon Trust
The mission of the Grand Canyon Trust is to protect and restore the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau - its spectacular landscapes, flowing rivers, clean air, diversity of plants and animals, and areas of beauty and solitude. Grand Canyon Trust works toward a region where generations of people and all of nature can thrive in harmony.
Their vision for the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau 100 years from now is:
- A region still characterized by vast open spaces with restored, healthy ecosystems and habitat for all native plants and animals.
- A sustaining relationship between human communities and the natural environment.
- People living and visiting here who are willing and enthusiastic stewards of the region's natural resources and beauty.
American Whitewater
The mission of American Whitewater is to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.
Hells Canyon Preservation Council
The stunning and diverse landforms of the Hells Canyon-Wallowa and Blue Mountain Ecosystems represent the keystone of connectivity among regional ecosystems. Their inspiring wildlands, unique fish and wildlife habitats and endangered biological components are culturally, socially and economically valuable in their natural condition. The Hells Canyon Preservation Council is dedicated to developing, promoting and enforcing public policy that will protect and restore this legacy for all time.
Idaho Rivers United
Idaho Rivers United's mission is to protect, restore and improve the rivers of Idaho and the communities that depend on them. Their focus is the ecological integrity of our rivers through citizen involvement. They involve their volunteers and members in issues such as establishment of instream flows, protection of wild rivers, keeping rivers clean and healthy, defending at-risk populations of fish, and minimizing the impacts of dams on Idaho's rivers. Idaho Rivers United builds river protection campaigns that effectively team up staff and volunteers.
The International Ecotourism Society
Founded in 1990, TIES is the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world dedicated to generating and disseminating information about ecotourism. It currently has members in more than 70 countries. The organization's membership includes academics, consultants, conservation professionals and organizations, governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts, and ecotourists. As a non-governmental organization, TIES is unique in its efforts to provide guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research and publications to foster sound ecotourism development, making tourism a viable tool for conservation, poverty alleviation, protection of culture and bio-diversity, sustainable development and educational, as well as enjoyable, travel.
The Upper Navua Conservation Area, Fiji
In the fall of 2000, O.A.R.S. and Rivers Fiji signed the final papers for a 25-year Conservation Area lease of the land extending 200 meters on either side of the Upper Navua River in Fiji. Prior to this time, a logging company had been systematically cutting down the hardwood trees in the Navua River drainage area in the central highlands of Viti Levu. The lease, which has received approval from the central government, the actual occupants and owners of the land in the highlands, as well as the logging company, precludes logging, road building or mining in the fragile river corridor. In addition to a substantial upfront payment, Rivers Fiji pays the local landowners over $12 for each person who enters the Upper Navua Conservation Area. In this way, over a period of time, the landowners actually earn more money than they would by the one-time logging of their trees. Rivers Fiji is working to extend the lease an additional 25 years and hopes to fund an expansion of the conservation area as well as find an international conservation organization that will be able to give long-term protection to this unique ecological area.
Outdoor Foundation
Outdoor Foundation is a non-profit foundation established by Outdoor Industry Association to encourage health and wellness through active outdoor recreation while focusing on social responsibility and sustainable recreation practices. By sharing a passion for the outdoors, OIF encourages and supports healthier, more active lifestyles through education, partnerships, programs and advocacy.
International Galapagos Tour Operators Association
IGTOA is a nonprofit association of travel companies, conservation organizations, and other groups that are dedicated to the complete and lasting protection of the Galapagos.
In partnership with our guests, O.A.R.S. has contributed over $2,600,000 in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives since the company was established in 1969.
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