Sheltowee Trace Outfitters

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A kayak is defined by the International Canoe Federation (the world sanctioning body) as a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayaking



We paid $100 for four, to KAYAK down the Cumberland on a calm section.



Made reservations in advance, and specifically requested kayaks and the calm 'Free-Bird' float FOR A REASON. In a kayak, the low center of gravity and double-ended paddle makes for a stable, restful & enjoyable ride.



After watching a safety video, we boarded a bus that towed the kayaks behind. We arrived at the starting point, and the guide unloaded the kayaks as we suited up in our life jackets.



The guide then announced "Okay, the guys get the kayak paddles, and the girls get the canoe paddles." (!!??) When I said "You have got to be kidding!", he replied "Oh, the bigger person in back does most of the paddling anyway."



My husband knew instantly that I was about to explode. We were with friends, or we would have gone back to the office for a full refund. Oh WAIT! They have a 'No MONEY Refunded Ever' policy: " Cancellation without 72 hours prior notice will forfeit the entire deposit unless the full balance of the trip is paid, in which case the full amount can be applied to another trip in the same season." (In other words: If you don't like the way we operate, Tough).



To rent kayaks and then not provide the proper equipment to go along with them is misleading, false advertising, and in a high water situation, extremely dangerous. It should be illegal.



Sheltowee Trace Outfitters already has your money, you already signed the cancellation policy, and you are out in the middle of nowhere before you find out you are literally up the river without a (proper) paddle!

unhappy experience!!!!!!!!Posted by volleyorange on 2007/07/31



we are from texas & sent this outfitter a $174.00 deposit check for a scheduled rafting trip.....we were 3/4 of the way to kentucky when unexpectedly my mother(who was travelling with us) was having trouble breathing..911 was called & a breathing tube was inserted.....the rest of our vacation was spent in a murfreesboro tn. hospital with a life & death situation. I called Sheltowee Trace Outfitters to cancel & let them know our unexpected situation. i knew the deposit was nonrefundable when sent,but i truly felt my siutation would allow an exception since it was a health emergency.....WRONG!!!!!! The outfitters were not the least bit sympathic & refused to refund our deposit even in our unexpected cirumstance.....i can understand having a nonrefundable policy but it is only good business and customer service practice to offer refunds for certain reasons.$174.00 is a lot of money for my family & it's a lot to lose. I hope to prevent other families from losing their hard earned money by falling prey to a business that takes money b/4 offering any service at all & then refusing to refund under any circumstance!!!!!!!!