About White Water River Rafting
Welcome to unmatched fun loving, adventurous sports of “White Water Rafting”. Here we present complete guide for river rafting for you, so that whenever you plan to rush your adrenaline in sporty way then you should be well prepared for it. It’s a fun sports with many grades of difficulty, depending on how choppy the river is. Let’s get started with adventure.
You Should Know About Grading of Rapids
River rapids are classified from Grade I to VI depending on the degree of difficulty they present in manoeuvring a Raft/ Kayak/ Cataraft through it.
GRADE I: Easy, small waves. No obstacles.
GRADE II: Moderate difficulty with clear passages.
GRADE III: Difficult, high irregular waves, narrow passages. Requires precise manoeuvring.
GRADE IV: Difficult, powerful waves. Very precise manoeuvring required.
GRADE V: Extremely difficult, violent, and highly congested. Team of experts only.
GRADE VI: Impossible to negotiate, not to be run.
Tips for Safety and Security
- Always ask your tour operator that for how long has the company had a rafting operation?
- Ask about their guide and experience. A good and professional guide is must for rafting. He must be well qualified in basic first aid and CPR(Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation)
- Wearing life jacket is compulsory. The life jackets must have adequate buoyancy (minimum of 6kg, preferably 9-10kg), must be of a proper type (U.S. Coast Guard Type-III or V) with the provision of ensuring a snug fit by means of straps etc., and must be worn correctly. Inflatable life jackets and ‘keyhole’ type jackets are not suitable for white-water rafting.
- Wearing a helmets are also mandatory. The helmet should be properly strapped – when you slide a finger between the strap and your chin it should feel snug.
- Proper safety briefing must be given before starting rafting trip.
- Non Swimmers must avoid body surf.
Equipment’s Needed for Rafting
- Inflatable Rafting boats – It is made out of either multi-layered synthetic rubber (Hypalon) or vinyl fabric (PVC). They measure anywhere between 3.5m (11ft) and 6m (20ft) in length, and 1.8m (6ft) and 2.5m (8ft) in width, and are exceedingly durable.
- Life Jackets – It is advisable for rafters to select a vest that best fits them and makes them feel comfortable.
- Helmets – There are imported-quality rafting helmets adhering to the acceptable international standards.
- Carbon Paddles – If the paddles are adequately refined and are of full size, they can double your fun of rafting.
- Wet suits and Dry suits – This piece of clothing is generally made of neoprene to provide thermal insulation.
- Rescue throw bags – A rescue bag is filled with a rope inside and succours a swimmer in peril. The end of the rope is attached to the inner side of the bag while the loose end remains in the hand of the rescuer. The bag is thrown to the swimmer in order to help the latter reach the raft using its support. These bags are compact in size and take up the least space possible.
Best Spots for White Water Rafting
- Colorado River in Arizona – A best and must trip for rafters with big waves, big holes, big canyon, big expedition. Its benchmark for all rivers.
- Zambezi River in Zimbabwe – With just below the 360 foot Victoria fall the river offers 23 rapids within a 15-mile (24 km) stretch of water that are among-st the most thrilling white water experiences found anywhere on the planet.
- Futaleufu River in Chile – Enjoy this unbeatable attention of rafting with providing multiple class V rapids in setting. Leaving you with stunned with the adventure.
- North Johnstone River in Australia – Enjoy unbelievable class IV and V rapids rafting in Queensland. On this Australian route, you’ll see rain forests, volcanic gorges, and Palmerston National Park. The rain may add on to rapids in dramatic way.
- Salmon River in Idaho – The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a very popular place to whitewater rafting. Come to this part of Idaho between late-May and mid-June for the best conditions.
- Sun Kosi River in Nepal – Sun Kosi River offers a high-altitude whitewater experience for adventure seekers. The river is located near the border of Tibet in the Himalayan Mountain Range. You’ll experience Class V rapids and landscapes that vary from jungle to forests, canyons, and gorges.
