As longtime O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting and dory guide, Bill “Bronco” Bruchak states, “I love sharing the magic of beautiful places with others.”  Indeed, sharing time with Bronco in the Grand Canyon in his dory, The Yampa, is a magical experience.  His rhythmic, hypnotic stroke of the oars creates a floating meditative experience in one of the most spectacular places on earth.  Whether rowing flat water, entering a Class 10 rapid, or spotting big horn sheep high up on a canyon wall, his zen-like poise does not waver.

Bronco is a humble and passionate man with a kind soul (and huge heart) who lives and breathes the Great Outdoors.  He isn’t simply connected to the places he visits; he is an integral partner.  He does not hang up his oars at the end of the day or the end of the season.  He IS the dory, the river, the history, the wilderness…  Each story he relates deepens your experience and expresses his true love of the Canyon.

Thank you Bronco, for continuing to facilitate the magic…
 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Longtime whitewater rafting guide, pirate, bike-shop owner, mountain biker, entrepreneur, real estate developer and one of my personal favorite storytellers, Rondo Buecheler, guides his dory, Shoshone, through House Rock Rapid on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This clip was also filmed on a recent 18-day O.A.R.S./Grand Canyon Dories trip from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Longtime whitewater rafting guide, Bruce Keller, takes his dory, One Eyed Jack, on a sweet ride through House Rock Rapid.  House Rock is located near mile 17 and is given a rapid rating of 4-7.    –Colorado River rapid ratings are given on a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 the most difficult.  Ratings are based on river flows of between 5,000 and 25,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).–   This clip was filmed recently on an 18-day O.A.R.S./Grand Canyon Dories trip from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek, and the flow was approximately 12,100 cfs.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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There’s no denying it… I’ve fallen under the spell of the Grand Canyon.  Here is a sampling of some images taken from a recent whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River with O.A.R.S. / Grand Canyon Dories.  If you have any photos/videos/stories you would like to share, please send them to info@oars.com.  We’d love to hear from you and we’ll post them here with your permission.

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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…from O.A.R.S./Grand Canyon Dories (including a pirate or two or three, bridezilla, rastaman, gorilla, M&Ms, The Lady’s Man, a pair of Hawaiians, a knight in shining armor, a chef, a rather well-dressed, well-groomed person despite the fact it was the LAST night of an 18-day Grand Canyon trip…)

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Longtime O.A.R.S./Grand Canyon Dories boatmen, Bronco and Rondo, show how it’s done with a sense of style and ease. Trip leader, Bruce Keller, can be heard in the background giving a detailed account of their sweet runs through one of the larger rapids on the Colorado River. This video clip was taken on a recent October O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon dory trip down the Colorado River. Sunny skies and warm temperatures prevailed for 18 days (as did great companionship and nearly nightly displays of meteor showers). Anyone else out there with video clips they’d like to share?  (You know who you are…)

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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My new personal favorite* pastime? Bow riding a Grand Canyon Dory. Here’s a sample of Bow Riding 101 taken from a recent O.A.R.S. Dories trip. That’s Rondo Jo’s boat, the Shoshone.

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