Apex Rafting: 30 Years of Whitewater

Apex Rafting woman in yellow jacket

Image Credit: Apex Rafting

May 01, 2023 - 8:00 AM

Whitewater rafting is an exciting sport. Despite how it looks, you don't need to be incredibly brave or technically skilled to enjoy it. Even beginners and kids can enjoy a rafting adventure. For 30 years, Apex Rafting has offered exhilarating river adventures on the Illecillewaet River near Revelstoke, BC.

The aptly named Illecillewaet is the Okanagan First Nation word for “rushing water”. Rafting 26 km of this river with Apex will typically take 2 to 2.5 hours depending on how high the river is flowing.

“It’s a lot of river and a lot of rapids you get into in just a couple of hours,” owners Ralph and Debbie Koerber say. “Twenty-six kilometers is longer than most full-day trips but we’re able to run this trip twice a day. It’s all about the nature of the river and the convenience of our shuttle to the drop-in point. Nobody’s ever disappointed with the length of the trip."

Apex Rafting three boats heading into rapids

Image Credit: Apex Rafting

The couple started Apex Rafting in 1993. Ralph had been guiding river trips for the previous seven years, primarily in Golden, BC as well as stints in Ontario, West Virginia and Costa Rica.

“An opportunity presented itself in Revelstoke - the previous company booked trips on the river for a few summers and then departed. I felt ready for the next step in such a beautiful river valley. There are two national parks here for good reason,” Koerber said.

Flowing southwest from Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Mountains, the “Illy” bisects Glacier National Park and then borders Mt. Revelstoke National Park before emptying into the Columbia River in Revelstoke. The entire area lies within BC’s inland temperate rainforest, a unique ecosystem known for huge hemlock/cedar forests with trees upwards of 1000 years old.

Apex Rafting offers rafting trips from downtown Revelstoke mid-May to early September. The entire trip with bussing, orientation and river trip takes about 4 hours. Minimum age for rafting varies with water levels. Typically it’s for adults only during the spring runoff while becoming more family-friendly by mid-July and throughout the summer.

Apex Rafting

Image Credit: Apex Rafting

This summer, experience the ultimate rush of whitewater rafting, or a spectacular river float with friends and family. The Apex Team will make every effort to ensure that each guest has a safe and memorable experience. All necessary safety equipment, including lifejackets and wetsuits, is provided to keep you protected and comfortable throughout your journey. They have an excellent safety record and consistently earn 5 Star Reviews on Google, Facebook and TripAdvisor. In addition to top-notch equipment, every Apex Rafting trip is staffed by experienced and licensed river guides.

For more information and to book online visit Apex Rafting at apexrafting.com, or call (250) 837-6376 or toll-free +1 (888) 232-6666.