Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee is running behind last year’s numbers through July. Last year saw record numbers of rafting customers.

According to information gathered by State Parks, there were 56,925 customers on the middle river in July, compared to 58,353 last year and 65,539 in 2006. There were 11,544 customers on the Upper Ocoee in July, compared to 12,397 last year and 12,377 in 2006. July is traditionally the biggest month for whitewater rafting.

From March through July, this year saw 127,968 customers on the river. Last year there were 131,217 customers through July and 2006 had 129,982.

In July, there were 3,641 private paddlers on the middle Ocoee and 603 on the upper, compared to 4,188 on the middle and 880 on the upper last July. In 2006, there were 4,843 private paddlers on the middle river and 1,003 on the upper.