River guides

Emily McGinty, left, and Brad Faulkner float down a slow section of the American River.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

A rafter dangles his foot in the cool waters of the American River waters.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

A rafter gets dunked on a Class III rapid on the South Fork of the American River.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Rafters try to survive a hole on the Class III rapid on the American River.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Aalok Patel of Fremont, Calif., gets soaked during a whitewater rafting adventure led by guide Brad Faulkner. This is the 26-year-old’s fourth season as a guide on the American River.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Emily McGint, left, plays the part of a rafter overboard. Allison Atkin review water safety with students from the river guide school at Camp Lotus.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

A rafting crew works to get through a Class III rapid on the South Fork of the American River.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Tessa Sibbet leads her group on a whitewater rafting journey on a recent weekend.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

River guide school students learn the basics of carrying a raft during a morning briefing at Camp Lotus.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

From the left, Trisha Mittal, 15, Priya Takiar, 16, and Jaya Pareek, 16, engage in a “cookie game” at Camp Lotus.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

River guides Jessica Gerber and Tom Johantgen chat and relax in the cabana-style hangout at Camp Lotus after a full day of work.  (Myung J. Chun / LAT)