New for 2025: Book at Ocoee Watersports using Promo Code: FastFredRequest to save 10 % and request Fast Fred!
Contact me directly at 828-423-0374 to reserve a rafting trip with me Fast Fred. I will enter you in my personal calendar. I have more ability to honor your requests this way and especially so with my new outpost on the Ocoee River at Ocoee Waterports.
Tips are very important to my ability to earn a living wage. Frankly I often only earn barely more than the federal poverty level in a given year. Please help give me a reason to return from South America each spring.
I generally work at least from Memorial Day Weekend in May through Labor Day Weekend in September. Ask me about private instruction. The Upper Ocoee is class 4. The Middle Ocoee is class 3. See my guidebook, facebook, and youtube for more info.
If you have questions or concerns please contact me at 828-423-0374
Questions you will want to ask and the answers you need to know before booking that summer rafting trip. These questions are frequently asked by those planning a rafting trip with family or friends. This is a great resource for planning and preparing for your rafting trip.
These questions range from useful and serious to extremely silly. But no dumb questions gets unanswered here. Topics range from all stages of planning to the execution of the trip. How you book your rafting trip is an important part of the process of making the most of the experience. Get tips for what to ask before handing over your money. Also learn about the parts of the raft and about your three pieces of river gear. Paddle commands and other useful information is also included. You may also detect some guide humor.
Carefully planning you rafting trip in advance will greatly improve your whitewater rafting experience. Having the right guide can make or break your rafting adventure. I am well aware of this and I want to help you make informed decisions and have reasonable expectations about your rafting trip. I have been adding more to the Question and Answer section over the last couple of years. If you have any questions about rafting the Ocoee River or even just the surrounding area and things to do in East Tennessee and North Georgia please submit them to fastfredruddock@gmail.com
I like to give back to my communities. During 2016 began work on this Ocoee River Guidebook. It first began covering just the Middle Ocoee with the intent of helping future Middle Ocoee guides pass training a little faster. It was basically created as a study aid. The scope of the guidebook has expanded over time now covering both the Upper and Middle sections. The guidebook provides routes through rapids as well as videos demonstrating routes. Now this guidebook even explores hydrology and some of the hazards of the Ocoee River. Video presentation of the features of interest are conducted at low water and at times with cameras underwater. A team is only as strong as the weakest link. Whitewater teams need to help strengthen their weakest links for the enjoyment and safety of all.
As a result of guidng on the Ocoee River for well over a decade I have reviews at many outposts. I really appreciate feedback and reviews. I was kayaking class 5 whitewater before I ever threw my name in the hat as a kayak instructor and raft guide.
Keep in mind while reading reviews on the internet that often guests forget where they went rafting but often remember their guide. As a result of this I have reviews at many outposts. And I did merc at many outposts in the past as well. Because there are two dozen Ocoee River rafting companies folks can get confused by all the names and many are very similar.
That said having the right guide with the right skill set can make or break your rafting experience. These customer reviews should shine some light on my methods and ways. Additionally you will find recent rafting trip videos on my YouTube channels. Make an informed decision.