Whitewater Rafting: demystified
Right on! You’re going rafting. Huh?
You have some questions? Well, what are they? Do you have to be a certain age? You don’t know what to wear? You don’t know how to put on a PFD. You’re worried about the shoes to wear. You’re frightened. Do you have to be able to swim?
Don’t worry, everyone has these questions. You’ll be just fine. On the South Fork of the American River, in Northern California, some 65,000 + people go rafting each and every year. California whitewater rafting is an excellent stop to add to your vacation. If you’ve been invited, it’s great to be cautious but you shouldn’t let this stop you from attending the trip.
Here are some considerations to for making your trip the best it can be:
1. CALM your nerves and know, the professional company you’re rafting with is well equipped and staffed to get you as safely as possible down the river.
2. Be POSITIVE. Nerves are normal, this is something new, something exciting but don’t be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and enjoy.
3. Rafting has two distinct seasons, what to WEAR is largely dictated by the season:
* SPRING rafting ~ a wetsuit may be necessary as the weather can be considerably cooler during spring. It’s not uncommon to wear wetsuit booties or wool socks with your STRAP on sandals or old tennis shoes (more on foot ware below), shorts, wool sweater, splash jacket or dry top, possible wool cap. (this is all for cooler weather rafting).
* SUMMER rafting ~ Strap on sandal or old tennis shoes, shorts (you can wear a bathing suit but trunks/shorts are recommended for you’re sitting on rubber and bathing suits tend to get moved off the bottom and you end up flashing the people behind you. Hey, we’re not judging, this may be your intention but we just wanted to let you know), t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Some companies wear helmets and you may or may not be able to wear a hat while rafting.
4. No matter your skin tone you’ve got to wear SUNBLOCK! Please consider wearing an all natural / biodegradable sunblock as studies are showing conventional sunblocks are causing problems in ocean reefs, so we might as well keep the river clean, if possible. Some ingredients to avoid: PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben.
5. SHOES – You need shoes that bind to the foot. This is important, without proper shoes you can be denied onto the raft. Old tennis shoes are good because you can tie them. Name brand examples you can Google: Teva, Chaco, & Keen all make sandals that bind to the foot. Water booties with a sole are fine. No one wants you swimming without your consent but if you do swim you want something on your feet.
6. Trust the GEAR. You’ll be wearing top of the line personal flotation devices, in nearly all instances these are Class V coast guard approved flotation devices, the highest rating. The rafts are some of the toughest boats on the water, they’re made to commercial standards with commercial quality materials.
7. COMMIT fully to the experience. If you’re offered the opportunity to swim a rapid, do it! This is an incredible place to be (the river canyon), you ought to experience everything it has to offer.
8. NO – NOs ~ Do not carry a towel to the river! This is not a day at the pool. There’s no place on the raft for a towel. One in your car, for a shower after your trip, sure, but not to the trip itself. Don’t wear suntan oil. Oil + Skin + Rubber = whoopsie daisy! Don’t consume drugs or alcohol prior to your trip. Your participation is required to get the raft down the river, this can prove difficult if you’re under the influence. Alcohol and rafting don’t mix. The water is cold, alcohol lowers body temperature, long swims while inebriated are dangerous. Don’t bring cigarettes down the river.
9. There are plenty of rafting companies to choose. On the South Fork of the American, 33. Pick someone you feel comfortable. Most all prices are going to be within $10 of each other, so the importance for you, is comfort. Most all will provide a professional trip but there are different attitudes and energies to each company.
10. You will not be going off WATERFALLS!
11. Yes, chances are you’re FIT enough. This is not an Olympic paddle crew time trial. You’ll be pulling your weight along with 5 or 6 other people.
12. Nope, you’re not alone. All professional trip come with a qualified guide.
13. AGE, check with the company you’re rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.
14. Finally, don’t disqualify yourself based on unfounded PRECONCEPTIONS. You’re going to love this adventure. We raft young kids to grandparents, you can do this!
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Tagged With action whitewater, American River, California whitewater rafting, Family Vacations, northern california vacations, outdoor education, rafting, South Fork of the American River, summer camp, Travel, whitewater rafting, Whitewater rafting camp
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