river runners

Noun

river runner (plural river runners)

1. (US) A raft, kayak, or similar watercraft used especially for traveling with the current of a river in a swift manner.
   • There are many ways to go down a whitewater river. . . . If you paddle a play boat, you will play. If you paddle a more stable river runner, you may play a little less or a little differently.2008, Gregory Shea, Robert E. Gunther, Your Job Survival Guide: A Manual for Thriving in Change, →ISBN, page 76
2. (US) A person who uses such a watercraft.
   • Books like WHITEWATER RAFTING by William McGinnis, go into great, and very necessary, detail to explain all of the hazards which the river runner may have to face and the proper procedures which should be followed to negotiate each of these.1980, Don Hubbard, The Complete Book of Inflatable Boats, →ISBN, page 164
3. (US) A recreational or commercial boat used for regular operation on a riverway.
   • In 1919, C.P. built a true work of art, a 26-foot mahogany river runner, with a stepped hull and an aft cockpit1997 Feb, Michael Verdon, “All-time-Classic”, in Motorboating & Sailing, volume 179, number 2, page 101
4. (US) A person who is an experienced worker or traveler on a riverway.
   • [I]t was Captain Tod Halsey who had the responsibility of the whole thing. If the great marble shaft couldn't be dragged up the face of the bluff, the squint-eyed old river runner would be the loser.1940 Oct., A. Capwell Wyckoff, "River Bank Position," Boys' Life, p. 12 (Google preview)