I took a couple of my daughters on a short float years ago. As we got closer to the river it got cloudier and cloudier. This was before everyone had a weather radar on their phone. By the time we got to the outfitter it was raining a bit but seemed to be moving through pretty quick. I asked the lady if we were crazy for going floating and she said "I don't know, do you have cash?" And we all laughed. I knew her well enough to know she wasn't going to send us out there to be miserable, but I also know that there is some truth to her response with other outfitters.
My wife and I sat by a tough spot on the James last Saturday. Just sat there and watched boat after boat try and navigate it. Most of the stupidity seemed to come from adults. And I mean people 50 and above. The younger crowd and kids didn't seem to struggle with it as much as the old drunk people. You know the ones. Standing up on paddle boards blaring their oldies. Trying to make it through narrow runs with 3 rafts lashed together. (There were at least two ladies that were totally passed out in the bottom of the rafts). Or the self proclaimed river rats trying to maneuver all that while standing in a canoe with a drunk in the front trying to help. There was a group of young kids swimming a hundred yards downstream and I don't think they let a beer can, empty or full, get past them.
I'm really surprised there aren't more deaths on the rivers.