QUALITY STANDARDS / FEATURES
RAFTING AND CANYONING QUALITY FEATURES - ÖTZTAL VALLEY
Rafting only on officially approved rafting routes Special safety equipment: neoprene suit, life jacket, white-water helmet, sports shoes Official inspection and licensing of the boats and regular check-ups Certified rafting and canyoning guides Before every rafting tour: safety instructions Guests must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs Guests must know how to swim and be in a good physical and mental state Rafting base must feature a sufficient number of WCs, changing units, showers, car parks
QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR BUSINESSES IN THE ÖTZTAL VALLEY
BOOKINGS
Possibility to get information on the Internet, office/booking Daily opening hours: Mon – Sat from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Personal customer service by the same advisor Timely dispatch of the offers including “getting there” information Multilingual personnel (German, English, +)
OUTDOOR CENTER
Ample and free parking Well-groomed station with sufficient seating and possibility to warm-up Impeccable sanitary facilities (WC and shower rooms) Spacious changing units Cabinets and lockers for clothes and valuables Catering facilities for food and drinks Opening times, 6.5 days per week Enough space for larger groups (50-100 guests) Washing facility – (washing machine) for disinfection of the neoprene material
RAFTING EQUIPMENT
Neoprene suit and jacket (3.5 – 4mm) Shoes Certified helmet (CE Norm) Certified life jackets (CE Norm)
CANYONING EQUIPMENT
Neoprene suit and jacket (5.5 -7mm) Neoprene socks (3 – 5mm) Special canyoning shoes Certified helmet (CE Norm) Certified life jacket (CE Norm) Certified harness (CE Norm) Step IN Regular servicing of the equipment (check-up, disinfection, replacement of old and faulty equipment with new equipment)
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL GUIDES
Certified rafting guides without exception Authorised canyoning guides Mountain guides for via ferratas Regular training in the different fields Personnel who is familiar with the place Multilingual (German, English +) New certified canyoning or rafting guides are assigned to experienced “senior supervisors” in their first years Guiding on WW routes IV-V only after the 3rd year and only with approval of the company
SAFETY STANDARD
Rafting and licensing conditions of the Tirolean government 2006 for all river sections.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR RAFTING AND CANYONING:
Rafting: a raft is always accompanied by a safety kayak, no matter which river section it is on
Ötztaler Ache River: legally there are always 2 guides on one boat (1 boat, 2 guides + 1 safety kayak rider); guide/guest ratio for one raft is 3:6 for one boat
Guidelines for rafting routes for children / youths or families respectively: Tirolean Rafting Association guidelines
Canyoning: guidelines for group size according to the Tirolean Mountain Sports Association (Tirolean Canyoning Association)
