Every year as the weather starts to cool and we stow our river gear for the season, our team looks back on the river miles behind us. Each year we have the same overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
The 2026 season brought plenty of water (even though it was lower than average), and even bigger smiles. There were innumerable paddle and oar strokes, and countless moments of connection—both on the river and at the base camps in Washington and Idaho.
To every guest, guide, kayaker, and driver who shared the water with us this year: thank you!!
Here is a look back at some of the moments that made this season special.
New Rowing Clinics for 2026
We kicked off the season with a refreshed format of our 8-day Rowing & Paddle Raft Guide School, which we’ve been running for 20 years. This year, we added a standalone 4-day Rowing Course to complement the 8-day program, which typically includes four days on the Owyhee River.
We also hosted several 2-day rowing clinics for private groups throughout the season, and saw growing demand for opportunities to build and refine rowing and paddling skills. The new format gave participants more ways to learn to row or hone their existing skills through 4-day courses in the Gorge, with additional opportunities to put those skills into practice throughout the summer. Our 8-day Main Salmon Rowing School was a particular highlight and a huge success.
For 2027, look for more changes and updates to our Rowing & Paddle School offerings next year as we continue to expand opportunities for rowers and paddlers of all skill levels!
The White Salmon River
The White Salmon River consistently delivers great rafting conditions throughout the spring, summer, and fall. This summer’s early low water levels, driven by an historically dry winter, brought the river into its lower flows sooner than usual. Even so, an early June opening for Class V Husum Falls and the fortunate use of our private higher put-in gave our guides and guests access to what is often referred to as the best sections of the river. With more Class IV rapids and an optional cliff jump, this section is usually only accessible later in the summer. The lower river levels also gave us the opportunity to run our full-day trips much sooner. This section allows us to run all the way through the previously dammed canyons to the confluence with the Columbia River. All in all, we had a great rafting season on the White Salmon River, providing fun technical lines, lots of dynamic river features, and plenty of whitewater fun.
Lower water levels on the White Salmon brought technical lines, an early Husum Falls season, and an incredible crew that knew how to turn every trip into an absolute blast.
Our hardworking crew made the most of the conditions, bringing their joyful energy and expertise to every trip and helping guests experience all that the White Salmon had to offer.
*This picture, taken in September, is one of our favorite pictures of all time. For the first time since the removal of the dam 14 rafting seasons ago, we almost caught a salmon in our raft while running Husum Falls!!
Idaho’s Main Salmon River
This season, we were fortunate to experience mostly clear, smoke-free skies, breathtaking views, and the deep, lifelong connections that make the Main Salmon River so special. We welcomed groups of family and friends eager to spend time together on an 8-day immersion in the wilderness and rugged beauty of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. Across the board, no one was quite ready to return to normal life at the end of the trip!
One of the highlights of the season was our combined our mid-August Main Salmon Rowing School and Kayak Trip. Rafters learned to row, and kayakers got the opportunity to paddle the mighty Salmon River through Idaho’s wilderness, while the rafts transported their camping gear.
The trip brought together intermediate whitewater kayakers eager to explore new water and refine their skills with rowers looking to learn the logistics of multi-day raft trips while practicing their rowing and guiding skills. It was a great opportunity for everyone to learn, build confidence, and experience the Main Salmon together.
River Rescue School
This year, we trained and certified more than 200 boaters and other people who may work on the river in river rescue. We helped them develop the skills, judgment, and confidence to choose appropriate actions when a situation occurs on the river and rescue is necessary.
We’re continually impressed by the professionalism, dedication, and care shown by our broader community of kayakers, raft guides, natural resource professionals, firefighters, and search and rescue teams. They bring their whole hearts to this training and take seriously the responsibility of being prepared to help others when it matters most
We’re so grateful to everyone who put in the time to build these skills, look out for one another, and help make our rivers safer for everyone!
Classes, Community & The Next Generation
Kayak School & Kids Camps
Our 20th annual Youth Kayak Camp absolutely crushed it this year! Seeing the next generation charge into eddies, build confidence, fall in love with the river, and make new kayaking friends is easily one of our favorite parts of summer
These camps are a highlight at Wet Planet, and our kayaking instructors love the four-day opportunity to work with these aspiring kayakers, get to know their families, and watch their skills and confidence grow. There’s nothing better than seeing kids arrive eager to learn and leave as capable, confident paddlers!
First Descents Kayak Camps
We’ve had the honor of running these 4-day kayak camps annually since 2009. And each year, these First Descents camps always remain a highlight of the year for everyone involved. First Descents is a non-profit organization that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.
The courage, joy, spirit, and growth we see in the campers throughout their week on the water with Wet Planet are truly humbling. Every year, their stories and experiences inspire us and leave a lasting impact on our entire team.
Thank you to First Descents, the campers, and our Wet Planet team for making it all happen!
Camps & Visiting Groups
A huge thank you to all the summer camps and partner groups that made Wet Planet their home base for adventure this year!
Youth campers joined us from all over the country to raft and kayak, and we loved watching them experience the thrill of rafting the White Salmon River and the wild beauty of kayaking on the Klickitat River.
There’s something special about spending a day on the river with teenagers who have put their screens away to get outside, try something new, and connect with the natural world. We’re grateful to be part of those experiences as they build confidence, friendships, and a lifelong appreciation for rivers and whitewater.
Wet Planet HQ, a Revamped Shop, BBQ’s & More!
If you stopped by our headquarters in Husum this summer, you probably noticed the glow-up in our cafe and shop! Our freshly renovated cafe kept everyone fueled with killer espresso, cold drinks, delicious pastries and sandwiches, and good vibes before and after their trips
BBQ Events at HQ!
Groups love rafting, and this year was no exception. We hosted plenty of fun wedding and corporate groups, and loved watching them celebrate together over a delicious Wet Planet BBQ after their trip. We enjoyed watching them swapping stories, laughing together, and reliving the day through their photos. Whitewater rafting has a way of bringing people together, making it a natural fit for group celebrations, team building, and simply spending time together outside.
The Wet Planet chef team Grace, Julie & Dylan whipped up some darn delicious burgers this summer for the ever hungry rafters!
Tieton Season! The annual Season’s Finale!
Nothing says the end of summer like the dam-release run on the Tieton River in eastern Washington. Our three-week season on this river is fast and furious. We welcomed many new and returning guests to our pop-up basecamp at Soup Creek Sno-Park.
This year was a bit wet—after a summer of almost no rain, we finally got some on the Tieton! But a little rain didn’t stop rafters from gearing up to experience the Tieton’s signature rollercoaster waves and splashy whitewater.
A special thank you to all the groups who joined us on the river this season, (like some on these pictures who came rafting more than once!), including the Tri-City Paddle Club and the many scout troops who made the Tieton part of their end-of-summer adventures!
Bittersweet End-of-Season Goodbyes
Many of you will recognize Jade (pictured below), who has been a much-loved fixture behind the Wet Planet espresso machine—and often behind a camera or phone—for the past five years!
This fall, we dried a tear as we waved goodbye to this Husum native as she headed off for her first year of college. Before she left, though, she made sure to spend plenty of time on the water with friends and family. We’ll miss having her around the cafe and office, but we’re excited to see where her next adventure takes her! We hope she’ll be migrating back for next season.
More teary goodbyes by the team as another member, Jack, leaves for his next adventure – the bittersweet result of a great season and building lasting friendships.
And then there are those who capture all those moments and smiles. Often behind the scenes. Our much-appreciated photography and shuttle crew, who take on one of the most dynamic and fast-paced roles at Wet Planet. Capturing the action (and the legendary flips and swims) while shuttling guests all season long. They’re constantly on the go, moving between the river and road, cameras in hand, helping keep trips running smoothly while capturing the moments our guests get to take home.
A huge thank you to our photography and shuttle crew for everything you do all season long!
Until Next Season!
Whether you were taking a line down Husum Falls, learning to row on the Main Salmon River, or relaxing on the Wet Planet deck with a coffee, you helped make this season special, and we’re grateful you were part of it.
Keep an eye out for early 2027 trip booking opportunities and class schedules. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back for another season on the river—and our 25th year!
Until then, take care, enjoy the off-season, have a great winter, and we’ll see you on the river.
Thank you again for being part of another great season.
— The Wet Planet Family
