When you’re floating down a river in a raft with your friends, you can’t help but let out a primal shout. Whether it be of excitement or fear, that ancient impulse to let the world know you’re there is triggered by the power and beauty of nature. Some people are content to just take in that scenery from afar, casually sipping on their ice cold drinks as they float along. But if you want to get up close and personal with mother nature, then white water rafting is for you!
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What is white water rafting?
This is an adventure sport where you travel down a river in a raft. It is important to note that white water rafting is a dangerous sport, and not for everyone. Those who do enjoy it will love it!
White water rafting involves being in a boat with other people and floating down the river as fast as possible, occasionally flipping over or going under waterfalls. The speed of the boat combined with its exposure to obstacles means there’s potential for injury if you’re not careful during your trip.
River Classifications
- Class 1: The easiest water to raft, with flat or slow moving water and few obstructions.
- Class II: Slightly more difficult than class I, but still very easy for beginners. The rapids are more pronounced with a bit of quickness to them.
- Class III: A bit faster than class II, with some rocks and small waves on the surface of the river that may cause you to fall in if you don’t wear a life jacket (it’s free).
- Class IV: This is where things get serious; there are large waves present in this water classification that can flip your raft over, or worse—take out one or more members of your party! If you’re going white water rafting this is where you want to be!
Is it safe?
Yes, white-water rafting is a safe sport when done properly. However, there are risks involved and you need to be fully prepared for them.
There are two main dangers in white water rafting: drowning and hypothermia. Drowning is caused by the force of the river pulling you under water with no way to resurface (this happens most often at night). Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can generate it from activity (this happens most often during extremely hot weather).
These risks can be mitigated by having life jackets on board all boats and making sure everyone has a wet suit or dry clothing available if they fall into the water.
What equipment do you need to rent?
- Life jacket: A life jacket is required for every person on the raft and must be worn at all times by everyone in the raft. (The exception is when you are getting out of or into your seat.)
- Helmet: You can bring your own helmet, or rent one from us. Wearing a helmet will protect your head in case of an accident while on the river and helps reduce noise from other people’s helmets rubbing against each other as they bump into each other. We recommend wearing one even if you’re not planning to paddle much.
- Wetsuit: This gives added buoyancy if needed, plus it keeps you warm! It’s also helpful in preventing sunburn during warmer months, so we recommend wearing one whenever possible regardless of whether you plan to swim or not unless there is significant rain forecasted before your trip’s start time.
Where can you go white water rafting?
The white water rafting in Colorado is considered some of the best in the world. The most famous stretch of river is the Upper Colorado River through Rocky Mountain National Park, with its gorges and steep cliffs. You can also go whitewater rafting in California and Utah, as well as other states around the country.
There are plenty of international options too: Chile’s Futaleufú River has long been known as one of South America’s top destinations for white water rafting; Argentina’s Rio Mendoza offers excellent opportunities for adventurous travelers looking to experience a variety of different rivers; and New Zealand has a number of different rivers where you can get wet!
How much does white water rafting cost?
There is no set price for white water rafting. The cost of your trip will vary significantly depending on the location, operator, and type of activity you choose. As an example of this variability, we have seen excursions ranging in price from as low at $50 per person all the way up to $200 or more. These prices could include equipment rental, transportation to and from the site (if applicable), guides who are both knowledgeable about rafting as well as safety protocols, life jackets and other safety gear if needed.
White Water Rafting is a dangerous sport, but those who wish to participate can enjoy themselves safely if they properly prepare.
The first step in proper preparation is knowing the river and its hazards. The most important thing you can do during this step is talk to other rafters. They may have insights that could help you avoid problems or make your trip more fun!
The next step in proper preparation is knowing your equipment, such as life jackets and helmets for increased safety during an emergency situation. You should also know how well each piece of gear works lest it fail when needed most!
You should know your skills as well because it helps build confidence when going into tricky situations like rapids with lots of rocks (you know there will be some!). If possible hire someone else with experience using these skills for better coaching advice on how best use them while rafting white water rivers!
Finally there are two more factors which affect whether or not people survive rafting accidents: limits and rescue plans/emergency plans.
Conclusion
White water rafting is a thrilling, engaging sport that offers a lot of excitement and fun to people who are willing to venture out into the wilderness. The key to staying safe while white water rafting is preparation, both in terms of physical health (you should be at least 12 years old and have no heart problems) and equipment rental (you should rent all necessary gear from an experienced company). By preparing yourself physically and mentally before taking on this adventure, you can ensure that your experience with white water rafting is safe as well as action-packed.
