The experience was great lots of fun, well organized and do not be late! The pricing was a bit conceiving, it was $7 for the ride and $7 with your own tube, and $10 with a kayak. We brought our own gear trying to save $$$$ but still had to pay. And don't inflate your tube because you have to deflate and they will blow up when you get there!
Totally on your own, no one to help if you get into trouble like we did.
WARNING to ALL! We were NOT warned! We went with a group out of Augusta, Ga. We were NOT told that the river was so polluted, nor that the life vests and tubes we rented would reek of mildew or worse. Did not realize that we would have to carry the rented equipment almost half a mile, which wasn't the worst...but we were also NOT warned about the rugged terrain leading into the river. In my opinion, if you still decide to take such risks after reading this, then the company should instruct the leader of any group on safety and how to best assist the group throughout the trip, including tying up and getting off the river safely. Had it not been for the courage and kindness of ONE female lifeguard who had completed the trip and who was not even a part of our group, but who chose to take a risk and assist us in getting off the water because we were stuck, there are 4 people who could have been seriously injured!
I was VERY pleased with Palmetto Outdoors!! In contrast to many 'recreational' outfitters, I found their staff to be very friendly, and quite helpful. We tubed down the Congaree in a group of 8, on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, and had a blast. Palmetto made clear to us exactly what we were getting into, and I felt like we were fully 'warned', although I didn't feel the need for any warning. The tubing is NOT a guided experience (fortunately) and if you are uncomfortable on the water without someone holding your hand, this is probably not the best activity for you. But, if you are looking for a delightful, very relaxing way to spend a lazy summer afternoon, for an incredibly reasonable price, with an operator that rents fully functional equipment, and is very helpful, I strongly recommend Palmetto Outdoors. We will definitely go back!
Also, take some rope to tie the tubes together if you go. Always wear shoes.
WARNING!!!!!!! WOULD NEVER RETURN!!!! The staff left everything up to the customer and I mean everything! They instructed our group to check out the area where we would finish the ride on our own. No one assisted or was there to give advice on how to exit the rapids safely. Then, after the bus ride to the launch site, we were provided life vests which had not been properly cleaned and smelled of BO or worse. After this we were required to walk with our floats for 10-15 minutes to the place where we launched. They did not insure we were tied together for safety, only telling us not to use our lifejackets for linking rafts because it damages them. During the raft ride there were multiple obstacles which were not removed nor was the trash. The water smelled of sewage and our group got stuck behind a huge tree in the water where all kinds of yellow foam and debris were settled. It was awful. To end the trip, our rafts drifted toward the middle of the bridge rather than the right side and we got stranded in the middle of the lake. We literally had to walk in the rapids to safety on slippery and jagged rocks. Several of us fell. There was no one from Palmetto Outdoors to assist us. Fortunately there was a lifeguard who had already completed the run and they came out and helped us to get to shore. Now the last step was climbing a huge concrete step with float in tow. No guides or handrails. Worst business I've ever seen. They don't care about the customers once they've signed the waiver. Would never ever return!
VERY DANGEROUS TRIP when it has rained a lot. The river is too fast to control the tube.
Palmetto Outdoors is a US Point Of Interest based in West Columbia, South Carolina. Palmetto Outdoors is located at 131 Alexander Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169, USA.
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