Riding The Rapids - How To Start Out Whitewater Rafting
December 4th, 2008

The best way to start whitewater rafting is by booking a whitewater rafting "adventure" organized by and guided by professionals. When looking for the right place to go, read the literature very carefully. You should know what you are looking for, and understand what you are getting. If you are after danger and the thrill ride of your life, you'll easily find a place that will supply it. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a fun-filled family adventure, minus the 'extreme adrenaline cocktail', you will just as easily find a place that is happy to oblige.

The term "whitewater" refers to the color of rushing river water when its being churned up by a combination of the river's speed and any obstruction that tries to slow it down or make it change course (obstructions like rapids -- large rocks in the water --- and waterfalls). This combination of fast water and obstructions is what turns a mild ride into a wild ride. In the literature for the whitewater rafting adventures, you will get a hint about the 'attitude' of the potential adventure if they mention the "class" of the whitewater areas they traverse. There are actually six classes of whitewater, as designated by the International standard called the International Grading System.

Class 1 is actually an absence of whitewater -- no rocks and no waterfalls.

Class 2 has some whitewater areas but they are considered mild and easy to navigate through or around.

Class 3 has some whitewater areas that are more difficult than Class 2 but generally considered safe for large whitewater rafts.

Class 4 gets you into whitewater that is too rough for the inexperienced rafter to attempt without having a highly experienced guide. The rapids are trick and can capsize a raft if not approached properly.

Class 5 indicates an area where the wise rafter should actually scout the area before attempting to run it. At class 5 there may be areas that are impassible (safely) for the raft or that need to be approached with extreme caution.

Class 6 whitewater is so rough it may spell disaster for even the most experienced rafter. A raft in a class 6 area is in extreme danger, which is why you will not find a reputable company that will normally advertise these whitewater conditions for their potential customers without a warning.

There are some things that are safety "musts" in the whitewater-rafting arena:

You must wear a well fitting life jacket and know how to swim in it.

If you plan on paddling the raft at any point in the experience, you must be sure that you are physically fit enough to do it. Paddling the raft is hard and tense work that requires intense concentration and physical stamina -- especially during the more severe conditions.

You must never raft alone in whitewater conditions.

You must plan to be off the water when the sun sets.

You must understand what is expected of you. Every person in the raft in whitewater conditions has a job to do -- even if it is just moving to one side of the raft or the other when the guide says to do it.

You should, for your own safety, take a water safety class before you set out for your rafting adventure and you really should read everything possible about rafting safety.

In most cases you will find that rivers are tamer in the summer than they are in the spring -- this is due to the runoff from melting snow in the spring. Rainy seasons also have the effect of making a river run faster. You'll find the slowest rivers, rivers with the least water volume and with more hazards on the east coast and faster rivers with a higher water volume on the west coast.

If you book a rafting adventure, the company will supply most of the essentials but there are some other things you should plan to bring:

In the spring and fall you'll need a wetsuit along with appropriate footwear that either ties on or straps on your foot. You will also need:

Waterproof sunscreen or sun block

Bug spray

A change of clothes (appropriate for the season)

Sunglasses that you don't mind loosing or sunglasses with a neck stra

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