Hard Water Sports

Me and my wife went on a rafting tour yesterday, and the experience was great! Being a little later in the summer, I already knew the water wasn't going to be wild. But that did not make it less enjoyable! Tony and his team are great to talk with and know their stuff. We were on a tandem inflatable kayak and personally I thought it was much more fun than large rafts. We will be coming back next spring for the higher water!!

Thank you Tony and the Hard Water Sports team for a great adventure! Yes, there is whitewater rafting in Minnesota. It might not be as extreme as in some other places, but being only 1.5 hours from the Twin Cities makes it a perfect outdoor and fun activity for the whole family. Depending on the water level, you can choose a big, shared raft or try inflatable kayaks for one or two people, like we did, if you want something a bit more exciting. The Kettle River is really beautiful, the scenery looks just like the photos you see in travel magazines with rocky cliffs and waterfalls, it’s a very scenic and peaceful place to be. The area around Sandstone also offers many other options. You can hike and camp at Banning State Park or at Robinson Quarry Park in Sandstone. If you enjoy biking, bring your bike and ride the Willard Munger Trail. But the best part was definitely the rafting with Tony and his team. They also organize rock and ice climbing tours, which we added to our wish list for next winter! Highly recommended! Pro tip: make sure to read Tony’s confirmation and reminder emails carefully and follow the instructions to arrive 20 minutes before your tour time. Sorry Tony, we’ll be on time for our next visit!

I went to Hard Water Sports with a friend to celebrate her birthday, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Because the water was lower, we got to take on the rapids in inflatable tandem kayaks instead of a big raft and it was an absolute blast! The guides were incredible!!! They were super knowledgeable and made us feel completely prepared. Before each rapid, they gave clear, helpful instructions on how to navigate as a team and what to expect. After each run, we’d regroup, and they’d talk us through the next section, pointing out where to avoid rocks and how to line up for a smooth ride. One of the biggest highlights was a surprise stop for cliff jumping, which is something that’s been on my bucket list for years! We also got to hop out for a short hike to a beautiful little waterfall, where you could swim up to it and even go under if you wanted. So fun! The guides were fun, encouraging, and supportive the entire trip. You could genuinely tell they love what they do and want everyone to have a great time. There were thoughtful touches throughout, like kicking off the day with a Beach Boys birthday song for my friend, taking photos of everyone along the way (which they Airdropped to us after the trip), and even bringing beverages for anyone who wanted one during the adventure. We’ll definitely be going back and bringing more friends and family with us. Thank you, Hard Water Sports, for helping create core memories we’ll never forget!

We had a great time on our first white water rafting trip! Our instructors were very knowledgeable and friendly. They told about the rich history of Minnesota during our downtime on the river, and it was really interesting. Highly recommend taking the family out and enjoying this beautiful river!

Tony was great tour lead and an awesome man. I had my first time kayaking the river and i am glad i did it with Tony.

My girlfriend and I had a blast. We did solo kayaks with a small group. Tony was friendly, knowledgeable, and encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones. Great tour if you want to get your feet wet with some whitewater!

My husband and I recently went on a guided whitewater tour with Hard Water Sports, and I can't say enough great things about the experience! Our guide, Tony, was absolutely spectacular. From the moment we arrived, Tony made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, which really set the tone for a fantastic adventure. Tony's knowledge and expertise were evident throughout the trip, and he went above and beyond to ensure that everyone was having a great time. Not only did he guide us through the rapids with skill and confidence, but he also took the time to capture photos of our group along the way, which he generously shared with us afterward. Beyond his technical abilities, Tony was an absolute pleasure to spend the afternoon with. His friendly and positive attitude made the experience even more enjoyable, and it was clear that he genuinely cared about making our day memorable. If you're considering a whitewater adventure, I highly recommend Hard Water Sports, and be sure to ask for Tony as your guide —you won't be disappointed!

Super impressed with the staff and guides at Hard Water Sports. We have rafted in Colorado and Montana, and didn’t know what to expect from a small town outfit. Boy, we were NOT disappointed. The guides were knowledgeable and funny, and took us on lots of secret hideaways. We faced some really challenging rapids, but also managed to fit in some cliff diving and swimming. Worth every penny and then some! We will be recommending them to anyone heading up north of the cities!