Whitewater Rafting

Perhaps one of the best ways to see the outdoors from a new perspective is whitewater rafting through the most beautiful places in the world. It is important that before any whitewater rafting trip you know not only the river you are going to, the class of the whitewater rapids and scale of the river itself, but also the equipment. Whitewater rafting can be a very exhilarating but dangerous sport and it is important that you understand and respect the position you place yourself into when venturing out onto the river. Depending on how experienced you are with whitewater rafting it is important hat you have someone on board your raft that has intimate knowledge of the river you plan on descending into. Whitewater rafting various rivers can be tricky as each river is unique with its own twists and turns and surprises lurking around every corner. We recommend that before you try rafting a river for the first time that you make your first whitewater rafting trip with an experienced guide. A whitewater rafting guide can give a lot of insight on how to take specific drops and rapids the most efficient way to avoid capsizing, stuck, or surfing unexpectedly. Another important aspect to note is to know the strength of your paddlers. Make sure they are positioned in a balanced way so when the more challenging areas of your whitewater rafting experience present themselves, you will be prepared to paddle and power through.

The various classes of whitewater rafting vary on a scale from 1 to 6, 1 being very small and usually straight currents. Class 6 rapids are usually considered to be unadvisable, dangerous, and having a strong possibility of rocks and hazards after large drops. Class 6 rapids can easily lead to serious injury or death. It is important to look at a map of the river to know what scale of rapids you will be dealing with along the trip. It is also important to understand what time of year you will be embarking on your whitewater rafting trip. Rivers are not always more dangerous in the winter. Often times when the water is lower it actually exposes more whitewater rafting challenges and obstacles to navigate around.

Another thing to be mindful of before taking your whitewater rafting adventure is to make sure you do as little harm to the river and surrounding areas as possible. Many rivers have designated drop points and camping sites to minimize the influence of human interaction. Many whitewater rafting rivers in national and state parks only issue a designated amount of permits per year, so if you plan on rafting a particularly popular destination it is important to have your affairs in order before venturing out. Whitewater rafting can also help to promote a sense of pride in local towns and parks and can help to raise awareness and promote environmentalism from the very experience it offers. So remember, to enjoy your time while whitewater rafting, respect the river and its power, and learn as much as you can before you go by using the AdventureDrop community.