Frequently Asked Rafting and Kayaking Questions

With Lazy Day’s full-service rentals, your raft will be inflated and ready for you to hit the river.  Your 15 kilometre float adventure (which takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on river flow) starts at the West Baker Park Boat Ramp and ends near Prince’s Island Park at the main Lazy Day Shop, where we will greet you on the riverbank and take all the gear so that you can be quickly on your way.

To help explain the full-service process, here’s a quick video from Henry, the official Lazy Day Communications Dog:

Our popular (optional) shuttle service will take you from the Lazy Day shop near the endpoint of the float directly to the launch point at the West Baker Park boat launch. It’s the most convenient way to get rafting faster, as we’ll be pre-processing your check-in on the shuttle ride so that you’re ready to go when you arrive!

How it works:

Normally, if you book a float (and no shuttle) for 11am, this means that your float will start from West Baker Park at 11am. HOWEVER, If you have booked a float AND SHUTTLE for 11am, meet us at the Lazy Day Shop (720 3St NW, rear of Calgary Curling Club) a few minutes before 11am for your shuttle departure. This means you’ll be on the water closer to 11:40am.

In summary:

11am bookings with shuttle: meet at 11am at the Lazy Day Shop.
11am bookings without shuttle: meet at 11am at West Baker Park Boat Ramp.

PLEASE NOTE:

The shuttle runs every hour starting at 10 am and leaves on the hour SHARP so that we can maintain our schedule. Please allow extra time to make sure you don’t miss your ride; we are happy to put you on the next shuttle (if space permits). Our last shuttle runs at 5pm.

West Baker Park boat ramp (starting point)
4320 Bow River Pathway, Calgary

If you bring a vehicle to the starting point at West Baker Park boat ramp, there are two parking options as depicted below in red. Please note that parking lots get very busy on evenings and weekends.

Lazy Day shop near Prince’s Island Park (ending point)
720 3St NW, Calgary (rear, Calgary Curling Club)

Vehicles can be parked in our parking lot (space permitting, pictured below in the red triangle) – just pop into the Lazy Day office for a free parking pass. Parking during weekends can sometimes be extremely busy. Please arrive early in case our lot is full and you need to head to the adjacent City of Calgary parking lot ($4/day) which is immediately east of the Lazy Day Shop (pictured below on the right):

Most floaters prefer to park a vehicle at the Lazy Day shop (the endpoint of the journey) which is located in the heart of the city in the Calgary Curling Club at 720 3rd Street NW and has plenty of free parking. We have an optional shuttle service to get you to the starting point. Alternately, floaters take a 2nd vehicle, Uber or taxi to get to the starting point.

Your 15 kilometre float adventure (which takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on river flow) starts at the West Baker Park Boat Launch and ends near Prince’s Island Park at the main Lazy Day Shop.

Lazy Day Rafts float map

We’re all about #GettingYourLazyOn and there are no whitewater-type rapids on the Bow. Things get a little exciting during run-off when the river is flowing quickly, but other than this, there are no rapids to speak of. Therefore, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, we recommend heading to Canmore or Banff where there are a number of excellent whitewater rafting outfits.

Full-service Rafts
With Lazy Day, your raft rental is good for the day! Normally, the float will take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on how fast the river is running. However, you can make your day last as long as you like by stopping along the river at the various parks, beaches, and islands that you’ll pass by (but make sure you watch your raft if you do this – some guests have unfortunately had rafts and belongings stolen while buying ice cream, using toilets, etc.)

The Bow River is classified as Level 1, which is defined by the American Whitewater Association as “fast-moving water with shallow spots and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training.” It is suitable for beginner rafters; there are no whitewater sections to deal with. HOWEVER, it is necessary that you have basic paddling skills before you set off on your float. If you do not have paddling experience, you must let us know. We’ll also go through a safety session with you prior to you taking off down the river. 

18 years of age is the minimum requirement to sign a waiver in order to rent a boat. However, 16 and 17-year-olds may rent rafts so long as a parent or a guardian signs the waiver. They do not have to be present in the boat.

All ages are allowed on the rafts, and we have PFDs in a range of sizes including infant, child, youth, adult, and adult XL. We also have four sizes of dog PFDs as well, including x-small, small, medium, and large.

Two items are required: A signed waiver for each person in the party, and a major credit card.

Yes, PFDs are included in your rental. We have all sizes from infants to X large…and even have four sizes of dog PFDs ranging in size from x-small to large. Dog PFD quantities are limited and are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend purchasing your own dog PFD specifically for your dog’s size and weight in case your pup’s size is unavailable on your rafting day.

Our business license restricts usage to our regular route on the Bow between West Baker Park Boat Launch and Prince’s Island Park.

Yes, we strongly recommend that you reserve your raft rental in advance to ensure that you get the raft that you want. Click here to reserve your raft.

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Those cancelling 24 hours prior to their reservation will receive a full refund of their deposit. Those cancelling under 24 hours prior to their reservation can reschedule their raft rental to a new date. Those renters who are a “No Show” will be charged the full rental rate.

In the case of inclement weather, a credit will be issued for a new rafting date. In times of unstable weather patterns, rafters are asked to monitor The Weather Network to determine if conditions are appropriate for outdoor activities.  As weather patterns can change quickly, Lazy Day cannot guarantee that weather conditions will be appropriate for the entirety of the float; therefore, the final decision to commence rafting is the responsibility of the rafter. When it is safe to do so, rafters are responsible for the safe return of their rental items to Lazy Day.

To cancel, please email [email protected] or call the office at 403-258-0575.

In times of unstable weather patterns, rafters are asked to monitor The Weather Network to determine if conditions are appropriate for outdoor activities.  As weather patterns can change quickly, Lazy Day cannot guarantee that weather conditions will be appropriate for the entirety of the float; therefore, the final decision to commence rafting is the responsibility of the rafter. When it is safe to do so, rafters are responsible for the safe return of their rental items to Lazy Day.

No. Neither marijuana or alcohol are allowed on the river – it is policed by the Calgary Police Marine Unit on the Bow River and by police checks on the Elbow River. If we feel a person is already under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of arrival we will use our discretion and can refuse service to that person.

By all means, bring refreshments and snacks keep you nourished during your relaxing float. We respectfully request that foods that leave stains such as blueberries, grape juice, turmeric-based curries, etc., be left at home. It is very difficult to get the rafts sparkling clean again after these types of foods are enjoyed.

We also sell snacks and drinks at both locations in case you forget to grab everything that you need!

Yes, dogs are allowed on the boats. There is a current in the river and if your dog is not a strong swimmer we strongly recommend a life vest. We keep a few dog PFDs in stock ranging in size from x-small to large…and provide these free of charge (as long as we can give your pup some love and a treat!).

River flow rates are monitored on a daily basis at the Rivers Alberta website. The Bow is closed to rafting and other activities when flow rates exceed 280 cubic metres per second. When this happens (typically only for a short period in June) we will let you know and will rebook you or issue a refund.

Unfortunately, we have had cases where floaters have left rafts unattended on the edges of the many parks through which the Bow floats, and they have been stolen. In these cases we have no choice but to charge the full replacement cost of the raft (which can range from $2,500 and up). Please treat the rafts as if they were your own property and do not leave them unattended so that this highly regrettable circumstance does not arise. In the case where rafts are abandoned and require recovery by Lazy Day staff, a $500 recovery fee will apply.

Waivers can be easily forwarded to other people in your group. There are two ways to do this:

Option 1:
Simply forward the Lazy Day booking confirmation email to other floaters in your party – they can then click on the “Sign Waiver” link included in that email.

Option 2:
If you do not wish to share the confirmation email with others, you can paste your booking’s unique link into an email or text by doing the following:

If inclement weather is forecast for the day, we will reschedule you or provide a gift card for the full amount of the rental. In the case that you decide to go rafting regardless, please note that it will be at your own risk; you will be responsible for your safety as well as that of the raft, and will need to return it to the Lazy Day shop at 720 3 St NW.  Please see our policy on abandoned, lost, or stolen rafts above.

You should bring sunscreen and we recommend sturdy shoes over flip flops. You will also want to bring snacks or stop for a picnic along the way. We sell water, snacks, and soda.