SolveYourProblem Article
Series: Extreme Sports
I Love The Adrenaline Rush Of Extreme Sports
Whitewater
Rafting & The 6 Classes of Whitewater
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.
- 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 strap
# # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
> Home > Extreme
Sports:
Main Page
|
