ABOUT US
OOT & ABOOT because we provide adventures with a Canadian twist!
O&A is an extension of Mukwah Rafting which has operated rafting tours through the class II-III+ rapids of the Red Deer River since 1984. Our secluded base camp on the Panther River (45 min west of Sundre) provides a great escape from the stresses of everyday life with scenic views and plenty of activities to enjoy! As great as Whitewater rafting is, it's not too fun in the winter and there are too many other fun and exciting activities around Alberta to see!
The Idea for O&A began on a far off island in 2008 when founder Mitch went on a tour around New Zealand. Coming from the prairies of Saskatoon followed by high school in Red Deer, tourism was never really thought of as a potential career path until one day on NZ’s North Island Mitch looked at the guide and said, you get paid to do this?
While it may have been a stupid question to the guide, it was an epiphany which led a young Mitch to pursue a life in search of adventure and exploration. The first stop was an Adventure Tourism course at North Island College on Vancouver Island followed by Tourism Management at Thompson Rivers University. After school, Mitch bounced around the B.C coast driving Zodiacs and Sea Kayak guiding for 8 years until moving back to Alberta to start a business.
The plan was to develop Sea Kayaks using a 70% hemp technology developed at UofC. The Kayaks were meant to be used as a way to demonstrate hemp’s industrial capabilities through tourism. While the kayaks have not yet been made, 5 different products made from a 99% hemp plastic resulted from this time, one of which the province used to demonstrate what can be done with Alberta hemp. Covid ultimately killed the concept at which point Mitch went to buy a band saw and somehow got a job Whitewater raft guiding. It worked out well as the company was for sale and also came with a large campground on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. While taking over a rafting company was never part of the plan, it may be a better way to complete the plan so Mitch bought Mukwah Rafting in 2022. It wasn’t buying a rafting company but a scenic property with an existing tourism business and the ability to expand. When able, new activities will be added and accommodations made from hempcrete and other sustainable materials.
O&A was made to not only create a fun journey to the base camp but as a way to expand tourism throughout Alberta. We strive to create an unforgettable experience for our guests by exploring all that makes Alberta great while prioritizing sustainability and innovation. Our mission is to work with other companies to connect adventure enthusiasts with nature, offering a variety of year-round activities. While operations are currently limited to day tours in central Alberta, it is our goal to expand into multi day tours that take guests to all the hidden gems throughout western Canada!
