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*Giveaway* Hyak White Water Rafting Review

Heather van Mil6 comments5498 views

YVR Bloggers Hyak Rafting Group Photo (bus) on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play

Did you know that there is no official term for a fear of boats? There is the fear of the ocean (thalassophobia), fear of water (hydrophobia), and fear of dying (thanatophobia) but nothing coined for a fear of boats. Whatever they end up naming it, I have it. For as long as I can remember, I have hated boats. Big or small, I loathe them all. So when Ricky Shetty put out the invitation to join a YVR Bloggers white water rafting trip with Hyak Rafting, I didn’t hesitate to say yes! Wait. What?

Thumbs up selfie at Hyak Rafting on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play

You heard me right, I said yes. And immediately regretted it. I’m sure you’re wondering why I volunteered, and it boils down to one word (well one acronym). FOMO. Even more than I fear boats, I have an unrelenting fear of missing out. I want to be involved in as much as possible, get out there and join in! Additionally, I’ve been working hard over the last year or so not to let fear make decisions for me (FOMO aside, it doesn’t count), so instead of reneging on my sign up, I packed my gear and drove myself out to Chilliwack on a breezy, cool morning and prayed for the best!

Instructions at Hyak Rafting on Life, Love and the Pursuit of Play
How Not To Kill Yourself

Once everyone arrived, and the requisite group photos and selfies were taken, we were given an agenda overview and safety chat from one of the Hyak guides. I firmly believe that they chose the cute Aussie with the gorgeous accent to give the terrifying instructions so it doesn’t sink in exactly what you are getting yourself into. Which turned out to be a super unflattering wet suit! Following a 20 minute bus ride out to the river, further training on how not to die, it was time to get in the water.

YVR Bloggers in wetsuits at Hyak Rafting on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play
Everyone looks good in wetsuits! (and a photo bomb from Jess)

This is where the rubber hit the road, or perhaps the paddle hits the water. This is where I lie in the bottom of the boat praying for land. This is where I hang over the side of the raft losing what little breakfast I managed to swallow. This is where…… I have the time of my life? IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! And not just because of the super cute guides with amazing accents. I honestly wasn’t scared once from the start to the finish. It was at times relaxing, thrilling, hilarious, challenging and so much more. They eased us into it with a 30 minute paddle before we stopped off for a beautiful hike up to a waterfall and hot spring. We followed that with another 45 minutes of rafting before stopping for a much-needed buffet lunch with a riverside backdrop.

YVR Bloggers Rafting Collage at Hyak Rafting on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play
Our Trip Begins!
Riverside Lunch at Hyak Rafting on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play
Lunch tastes so much better after risking life and limb

The last 90 minutes of rafting gave us the biggest rapids, all grade 4+, and in all honesty, when it was over, I just wanted to go back and do it all over again! I was so proud of myself, and so grateful for the guide who put me at ease, made me feel safe, and my fellow rafters who had me in stitches and made the trip so much fun!

Rapids Up Close at Hyak Rafting on Life Love and the Pursuit of Play
Rapids Up Close (Photo Credit hellovancity.com)

So whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a scaredy cat like me, you will love Hyak rafting. And lucky for you, you have an opportunity to win your very own river rafting trip with Hyak Rafting!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These are the awesome bloggers who joined me on the trip; show them some love and read what they thought of their Hyak experience! (missing links coming shortly):

1) Artiden – Grace Miles

2) Butterfly Networking – Carla McNeil

3) Explore – Ryan McKenzie

4) Girl in the World – Kristin Warkentin

5) Global Optimist – Robin Wong

6) Hello Vancity – James Chung

7) In Your Pocket Media – Jessica Hugh

8) Labyrinth Lady – Diana Ng

9) Daddy Blogger – Ricky Shetty

10) Miss Leslie Santos – Leslie Santos

11) More Than Your Average Mom – Sarah Kertcher

12) Seasonal Leaf Design – Reena Venkatesh

13) She’s a Valley Mom – Kristyl Clark

14) The Motherpreneur – Christina Waschko

 

You can also check out this awesome video from fellow blogger/rafter Ryan McKenzie of Explore Mag

All on the table disclaimer: While I did receive free or discounted products/services, all opinions are completely honest and totally my own and you know I would never share anything less than superbly stellar with all my fave readers. 

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