WHITEWATER RAFTING

The Perfect Vacation - Top 5 things to know for planning a Whitewater Rafting Trip

2008-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

by:Dion Semeniuk

Whitewater rafting is defined as a recreational activity enjoyed by several passengers in an inflatable rubber boat used for navigating down a river or other fast-moving body of water. If you love adventure and want to do something special for your next vacation, then perhaps a whitewater rafting trip would be the ideal option. Steered by a professional guide, you will make your way through raging water, while enjoying the thrill and adventure of the rapids. The key to a successful whitewater rafting trip is good planning, which is why we decided to provide you with the top five things you need to know.

Safety, Expertise, and Certification

The most important aspect of planning any whitewater rafting trip is to ensure you will be guided down the river by a professional guide, one who knows not just the water and how to steer the boat but also one who is certified as a “Whitewater Rescue” or “Swift-Water Technician”. Additionally, your guide should be certified in CPR, Advanced First Aid, and other common river rescue techniques.

Unfortunately, only about 5% of whitewater rafting guides meet these criteria. While this type of activity is generally, safe and you are required to wear life vests and helmets, sometimes things happen. In this case, you want to ensure you have the best possible guide with you if something were to go wrong. Therefore, as you begin your search, ask questions specific to safety, expertise, and certification, and make sure every passenger will undergo a safety orientation prior to heading down the river.

Special Needs and Children

If you or someone in your group has a special need, make sure you choose an outfit that can accommodate. Remember, whitewater rafting does not exclude people who are not able-bodied. In fact, it is common to see people who normally live in wheelchairs along with people who have other types of disabilities enjoying this kind of activity.

For children, again you want to choose the right whitewater rafting outfitter. However, most gladly welcome children on this type of adventure, knowing it is an excellent family experience. However, you will need to research age and size requirements in that these vary depending on the type of boat, the outfit company itself, the water level, difficulty of the trip, and so on.

Single or Multi-Day Excursions

Some people look for a whitewater rafting trip that will start early in the morning and have them back to their car or campsite by late afternoon. However, other diehard outdoor enthusiasts prefer rafting trips that are multiple day excursions. In this case, you would take your sleeping gear with you down the river and camp out along the banks at night. This experience is truly amazing and one that you will never forget. Therefore, check out all your options to see if a multi-day trip is more to your liking.

Price

Whitewater rafting trips are not all created equal. Therefore, rather than just settle on the first outfit you talk to, take your time to find out about the length of the trip, the amenities included, level of skill for your guide, price per person, equipment rental fees, and gratuity. Obviously, price is just one consideration when booking a whitewater rafting trip and while it should not be the number one factor, it is certainly something to consider in the overall planning.

Additionally, ask about group, student, or corporate discounts. Many times, even the best outfitters will offer a nice discount if you have over a certain number of people in your party, if you are a student, or if you are taking the trip as part of a corporate outing such as a team-building event. In fact, there are even discounts offered in many cases for wedding parties so always ask.

When to Go

Finally, you want to take a whitewater rafting trip when it will be most enjoyable. Obviously, the time of year you choose will depend greatly on the region or country where you plan to raft. However, you can do your own homework pertaining to precipitation, along with dam and reservoir water releases, snowfall, rainfall, and heat or talk to the outfitter to find out what time of year they recommend.

Generally, whitewater rafting in the United States and Canada is best from April to October. However, some rafting outfitters will supply passengers with wetsuits whereby they can take to the river with the first snow runoff in the spring and if water levels permit, later into the year, as late as November.

White Water Rafting: An Exciting Vacation Adventure

2008-08-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

by:Peter Shannon

White water rafting is an adventure that can be loads of fun. But as with any activity involving the raw power of nature, you must be prepared. Don’t worry if you are a beginner. Every expert rafter had a first-time experience.

There are excellent places all over the globe for white water rafting and everyone of them is different. Even the same spot is often a completely different experience depending on the season and the weather. So, before you get in the water, it’s important to know your capabilities and the current conditions.

White water rafting rapids are rated in terms of difficulty.

Class 1 –Beginner, Class 2 –Intermediate, Class 3 –Moderate, Class 4 –Difficult, Class 5 –Advanced

Unless you have a lot experience and know your rafting spot well, it is always a good idea to go out on the rapids with a guide. Many outfitters provide both a guide for steering at the back of the raft as well as a spotter/observer up front.

Some rafting spots have really exceptional waves and you need to navigate them on a raft equipped with a motor. An example would be Arizona’s Colorado River at the Grand Canyon or the Cataract Canyon. Many of these white water rafting spots are Class 5 so you better have a guide. You are not doing the actual paddling but the excitement is still there. It all depends on what you want out of the experience.

There are other sections of the Colorado River, like Westwater Canyon or Cataract Canyon in Utah, that have rapids more suited for the novice. This is also a great way to enjoy that spectacular southwestern desert scenery.

If you want to do the paddling, these are a few examples of some excellent white water rafting spots. The Gauley River in West Virginia.... California’s America River and Kern River....the Arkansas River in Colorado....Idaho’s Lochsa River and Snake River...the Housatonic River in Connecticut.

You can find some more milder Class 3 rapids on the Red Deer River in Alberta. Late May or early June in Canada is when the glaciers are melting and the water is really moving fast. This is the best time to go for the most white water action. Kicking Horse River in Golden British Columbia has some great Class 4 and 5 rapids.

When you investigate and sign up with a white water rafting company, be honest about your experience level. It’s not unusual for the less experienced guides to be assigned to the more experienced rafters. As a beginner or novice level rafter you will want to have the most experienced guide possible.

If white water rafting is your idea of an exciting vacation experience then by all means, go for it. But learn as much as you can about it before you go. Pick your rafting spot and your guide carefully. Learn the safety procedures if you go overboard. Be prepared and then let loose and have fun!

White Water Rafting Adventure – 7 Tips For Taking the Ride of Your Life

2008-08-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

by:Priscilla Parham

Ever wonder about jumping in with both feet and taking a whitewater rafting adventure? The beginner can have just as much fun and excitement as the seasoned expert. The following 7 tips will help get you safely prepared to take the ride of your life.

Tip 1. Make Reservations. There are whitewater-rafting sites that will take walk-ins but it is best to make a reservation, especially during peak season. Decide what river you would like to experience then go online and search the available Whitewater Rafting companies. I know firsthand that the rafting outfits near Blue Ridge, TN do a great job meandering down the Ocoee River. I highly recommend Ocoee Rafting, LLC at www.OcoeeRafting.com which is located about 2 ½ hours north of Atlanta.

Tip 2. Allow some extra time. If you are not familiar with the area you may want to allow some extra time before your appointed trip time. Make sure to get good directions before you leave home. We ended up at the wrong rafting company but had plenty of time to correct the error and arrive at the right location with time to spare. FYI: Be sure to take your reservation number and info with you.

Tip 3. Eat a light meal. With all of the waiting, preparation, mini-safety lessons and actual run down the river expect to be gone anywhere from 4 to 6 hours for a half day trip. Eat a small meal right before you go, normally food and drink are not allowed on the raft.

Tip 4. What to wear? Everyone in the raft will get wet! With that said make sure you wear clothing that dries quickly. For example: a bathing suit under surfing shorts for ladies, swim trunks and a t-shirt for men. For your feet water shoes work the best, no flip-flops in the raft. The rafting company will provide life jackets, helmets and an oar. River trips run rain or shine and you are guaranteed to get soaked either way.

Tip 5. What to take? Take a set of dry clothes and flip-flops to change into after your white water rafting run. Be sure to take a towel for each person. A waterproof disposable camera that can clip onto your shorts is a nice extra. Most rafting companies will have a photographer take pictures at some point on your run. These photos will be for sale when you return (Hey, they gotta make money somehow). The pictures come out pretty nice. Ask ahead of time if you don't want to fool around with your own waterproof camera.

Tip 6. What not to take? Do not take valuable items. Do not take sunglasses and if you really don't need your eyeglasses to make the run, leave them in your car or bring a head strap or buy a set of goggles that go over your glasses. If you sit at the front of the raft your glasses will get so wet that it is hard to see out of them. Do not wear your best sneakers. Lastly, leave your car keys at the whitewater rafting office.

Tip 7. Who should go? Anyone seeking something to do that is just a little out of the ordinary should definitely check it out. Children have to be at least 12 years old with most whitewater rafting companies. Those under 18 need their parents signed permission. Everyone in the raft needs to sign a liability waiver. If you are in reasonably good health then I say go, go, go. You will have the ride of your life and good memories to share with your family.

If you enjoy the ride with your guide, be sure to thank them and leave a good tip when you return to the white water rafting center.

Remember to laugh, listen to your guide, have fun with it and above all take in the magnificent view.

Copyright (c) 2007 Priscilla Parham

The Thrills And Spills Of White Water Rafting in Christchurch, New Zealand

2008-08-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

by:rene smith

About 2 hours drive from Christchurch you will find the Rangitata River. It’s located near Geraldine, a beautiful area of the South Island with some stunning landscapes and natural features on view. The river is also perfectly suited for white water rafting with a number of exhilarating rapids to go with the flat sections that are great for practising your skills or getting a well-earned breather.

Most operators that take rafting trips on the Rangitata River take you to and from Christchurch in a shuttle. Like most white water rafting trips, it can be intense at times and without needing to be a professional athlete, it helps if you are reasonably fit. The more you put in, the more you will get out of this experience, so if flying down gushing rapids is your kind of thing, then you’re going to have a great time.

The day starts off with a shuttle picking you up from Christchurch early in the morning. From here it’s a simple but pleasant drive through the countryside on your way to the Rangitata River. Once reaching the river, you drive further up it to a lodge where you will start your day of activities.

The first thing that needs organising is your equipment. This consists of things like a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket etc. They may not be the most comfortable or fashionable but the water can be cold so you’ll definitely appreciate it. After being kitted out, you’ll be split into groups that will make up those on your raft. It’s great if you’ve got a bunch of friends to go with but if not, you’ll probably meet some new ones by the end of the day anyway.

Driving further up the river you’ll arrive at the point where you’ll be starting your journey. It’s here that you’ll get your first taste of rafting. Each raft has one instructor who sits at the back of the raft, helps you avoid rocks, cracks jokes, ensures safety and in general makes sure you have a great time. Your instructor will brief you all on the basics, which include things like paddling, lunging to one side and pulling people back into the raft if they fall out (which can and probably will happen). You get plenty of chance to practise all these things as you gently make your way down a long calm patch of the river.

After everyone in your raft is confident with the skills, it’s time to hit your first rapids! This is definitely the most exciting part and what makes people come back for more. It’s a real adrenaline rush as your raft is thrown through the rapids, you can feel the power of the water as you bump up and down and side to side with each dip and change of direction. The instructors do a great job of keeping you on the right path although you’ll have to help them out when they need it, some rapid paddling is required to get through some of the tough spots.

As you head further down the river, you’ll get to enjoy a lot more exciting rapids that really get the heart going. Sometimes they can be so intense that people fall out or rafts flip over, this isn’t uncommon and the instructors will alert you if you need to pick up someone that went overboard. The risk factor is all part of the excitement but at no stage does it fell dangerous. The strength (or grading) of the river changes throughout the year but will always give you some very challenging sections of white water.

The main part of the trip lasts for a couple of hours before the river flattens out and you get the chance to have a bit of fun with the other rafts, i.e. splashing them with your oars or throwing their instructor in the water. You may also get the chance to jump off some very high rocks or float down sections of the river out of the raft (this is when you’ll be glad you’re in a wetsuit).

After loading the rafts onto the trailers, you’ll head back up to the lodge for a well-earned barbeque. By this stage you should be exhausted, just managing to stay in the raft all day can be hard work! After some laughs and a few final words it’s time to head home. You get the opportunity to buy photos taken of your rafts, which is a nice touch, albeit a slightly expensive one.

Going down the rapids is a truly awesome experience and one that you’ll be raving to your friends about for weeks. White water rafting comes highly recommended for anyone visiting Christchurch and looking for something exciting to try.

White Water Rafting in Kerala

2008-08-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

by:dev sri

White water rafting is a popular type of outdoor sport which attracts every outdoor sport lovers. Also called simply rafting, white water rafting is an exciting aquatic adventure that can be enjoyed by individuals of all skill levels with proper guidance and instruction.

White water rafting uses specialized rubber rafts that are very sturdy and flexible. These rafts can accommodate a wide range of people, depending on need and build, although eight to ten individuals is a standard number. All the rafters have paddles, which are used to guide and propel the raft through the water. With a trained guide, it is possible to have a raft with only one or two experienced people and a crew of novices, depending on the difficulty of the waters being rafted.

The excitement in white water rafting comes from the white water, a term referring to the level of turbulence in the river, or rapids. White water can be caused by changes in elevation to the riverbed, rocks or other obstacles in the water, and flow from snow melt and rain. White water rapids have a range of classes, from one, which indicates small, slow moving rapids that are safe for all levels of experience, to six, which indicates a dangerous and perhaps

When done with safety in mind white water rafting is a great adventure sport is great fun and fantastic way to get in touch with the outdoors.

White Water Rafting in Kerala

Kerala Rivers provide excellent opportunities for white water rafting. Bhoothathankettu is a perfect destination in Kerala for the white water rafting. Kerala being the land of rivers, lagoons and lakes in the interiors and the sea on the west, makes it an ideal destination for those inclined to white water rafting for relaxation and adventure.

Be swept along a rushing river in a rubber raft, tumble over rapids, plunge over waterfalls and feel the icy spray splash on your face, as your raft races along a mountain river in Kerala. Experience the thrill of white water rafting in Kerala.

River rafting in Kerala is an exhilarating experience that you can enjoy on your Indian Holiday. One of the best regions for river rafting in India is the Kerala White water rafting on Kerala Rivers is a popular adventure tourism activity in summer in South India, Kerala.

You will be given training by experienced river rafting instructors and guides. You will travel in groups in rafts, with an instructor at all times. Life jackets and other essential safety equipment are provided. You can stay overnight in luxury tents, pitched on beaches alongside the river, as we halt each night. You can also enjoy campfires and bonfire nights on river rafting tours in South India, Kerala. As you swoop and tumble over the rapids with exotic names such as 'Roller Coaster;' 'Crossfire' and 'The Wall' you will feel the excitement and heart-racing thrill of white water rafting.

Whitewater Rafting Forges Bonds Stronger than the Rapids

2008-08-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

by:jim sampson

Colorado River Rafting is a Trip

Visualize the boat's brow cutting through the swirling, surging water; the sun sparkling on the frothy waves, making tiny rainbows; the abrupt lurch of the craft, as the surging waves suddenly shift direction. The adrenalin is pumping, all senses alert, with nature working overtime to orchestrate a thrill you'll never forget. That's what most people think a raft trip entails, but there's much more going on. Your connection with the other rafters forms a matchless adventure that won't be forgotten.

Rafting down the Arkansas River on the rushing snowmelt from 14,000 feet peaks is exciting - no doubt about it. But the trip is still safe enough for a family vacation. River rafting in Colorado combines thrilling rapids with quiet stretches, where rafters can take in the spectacular mountain scenery close up. Their mental cameras capture images that will be studied over and over later, once they return home.

Look Past the Surging River and the Drama

There's one thing even more crucial than the water for making your adventure tour a treasured event. It's the other people. Some you bring along, like family, friends or group (such as a scout troop). You may think you know each other already, but the time spent on the river forever alters the way you'll relate back home. That's the real pay-off from a wilderness adventure. The guides and other rafters also play essential roles in the total experience.

Unlike taking a bus or a train, the goal isn't to arrive at the destination. Instead, getting there is ALL the fun. So there's no hurry. Everyone along plays their part in moving the boats, and reacts to what the river throws at them. Each person needs to develop their sense of teamwork and reliance on each other. The emotional exhilaration amps up even more because of the sharing involved. Facing physical challenges together builds trust and confidence in each other, in a matter of hours.

Make Memories that Don't Fade

Scientists have discovered that the intensity of an emotional experience permanently alters the way a person remembers it. Emotionally charged experiences are filed differently in the brain than everyday ones are. Later, they're recalled with vivid detail, without losing clarity over time. Recalling even a small part of the event brings the full force of experience back. That's why they're called "flashbulb memories."

When people go through such powerful experiences together, they relate to each other in new ways. It's certainly a step away from their day-in, day-out routines. That's a major reason why a wilderness adventure like whitewater rafting does more for those who take the trip than a casual vacation would. They develop new ways to relate to nature and each other. Rafters tell me they arranged the trip to get away from the TV and the cell phone. But they're pleased to find that the river is the tonic for much of what's stressful for them.

Even when they get home, those newly-forged ways of relating influence the way people treat each other. As owner for Four Corners Rafting, one of the oldest whitewater rafting company on the Arkansas River, I've taken thousands of people on the outdoor adventure. Without exception, they find the experience delivered in ways that they hadn't expected. I'm often told that what they experienced during whitewater rafting was the highlight of their vacation."We visited all the other attractions, we saw all the sights. Nothing comes close!"

Step Out of Your Shoes

The benefits that rafters receive don't stop when the trip is over. We've all heard the phrase about walking a mile in someone else's shoes. That does help to understand the experiences of others with fresh awareness. But I think that greater value comes in understanding yourself better. To step into someone else's shoes, you must temporarily step out of your own. That breaks a lot of habits and familiar assumptions. Then when you return to your own shoes, you can see aspects of your life that you usually overlook because they're so unbroken.

Taking a wilderness adventure is a walk in another pair of shoes. And those people who shared that intensely emotional adventure with you took the same mind-stretching trek. That stays with you for the long haul.

Rafting On the New River

2008-08-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Rafting On the New River in West Virginia - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination
by: Robert Benjamin

Now, let’s talk about a great vacation for an adventure lover. Anyone who loves to have a good time in the great outdoors would really love to raft the New River in Fayetteville, West Virginia. There are many other activities like rock climbing, bungee jumping, camping, hiking, and more in and around the area, but whitewater rafting is one of the most popular.

The New and Gauley Rivers really are big and powerful, sometimes more powerful than others, and each have their own benefits and drawbacks for rafters. There are certain times of the year when the rivers are calmer than others and other times when the rafting is downright dangerous. Knowing when these seasons are and your rafting skill level is important to determine when to schedule your vacation. Also, the age of all rafters should be taken into consideration as well. There are rafting experiences that are mild, exciting, world class, and extreme. The minimum age for the mild rafting is six years, 12 years for the exciting, 16 years for the world class, and 18 years for the extreme rafting.

There is rafting all year round, but clothing requirements are very different depending on the weather. In the winter wetsuits should be worn, the summer a t-shirt or bathing suit is fine, and the spring and fall you should wear synthetic fabrics and wool socks to keep your feet warm. Don’t wear cotton if it’s cold because it will make you colder. Remember that no matter whether it is raining or the sun is shining rafting will go on. You will get wet anyway so it doesn’t matter! Never take anything with you rafting that can’t get wet, because it will for sure!

Prices for rafting the New and Gauley Rivers depends on when you raft. Weekday prices are cheaper than weekends and certain seasons, as well as rivers, are more expensive than others. Rafting trips come with all necessary gear, although your clothes, shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are your own responsibility. Package trips that include showers, cabins, camping, and breakfast may also be purchased.

The best time to go if you don’t like being cold is during the summer months. Of course, if you really like a challenge then you might like the fall or spring when the rapids are bigger and faster and provide a more challenging trip. It really is up to you! One thing is for sure and that is when you raft the New or Gauley Rivers, or both, you will have an experience of a lifetime.

Cetina River

2008-08-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

A 3-4 houre adventure on the river Cetina with experienced skipper, could make your vacation unforgettable. You don't have to be in the top form but you have to paddle.

Rafting on the river Cetina lasts for about 3,4 hours on the 9 km long route which ends in a restaurant called Radmanove Mlinice. All you need is swimsuit, a pair of shoes suitable for water, towel and a change of clothes for afterwards. Everything else, equipment ( paddle, helmet, bouyancy aid ) you will be given before big adventure begins and also quick tutorial for basic rafting skills.

Cetina is a pool drop river and on the scale of 1-6 it's clasified as a 2-3, which means that the rapid is easy and medium. You will see nature in it's best, beautiful lakes, vegetation cliffs, waterfalls, cave,...

Without any doubt, the river Cetina is one of the nicest places in Croatia where you can experience the magic of a rafting adventure. It is situated in a luscious region surrounded by quaint little villages. There are lots of stories surrounding the naming of this river. Passed down through the centuries several theories on the naming of the Cetina River have emerged. One possibility is that some of the first Croatians that came down from Northern Europe towards the warmer Southern coast, finding the river and naming it Cetina because it reminded them of the river "Cetynia", in Southern Poland which was their last Nomadic residence.

A more likely possibility is that the Cetina river derived its name from the Latin word "Kentona" that was given by tribe Dalmates. Croatians over time changed this Latin word to Cetina.

This region is very important, both historically and archaeologically. Along the Cetina’s tall canyon walls real archaeological fortune can be found: bottle-axes from the stone-age, shields from roman soldiers, personal items from middle-age peasants... and many other interesting artefacts. These findings confirm that people from this region are descended from an historical-age...
As the years passed by, the surrounding regions Cetinska and Krajina developed. This area is surrounded by the mountains Svilaja, Kamesnica and Dinara. This is a very productive region where you can find many small towns and villages, grasslands and green meadows full of flowers, grass and life. During moist springs there are many colourful flowers in the meadows and bees in the air. The Cetina river itself is teaming with life, Supplying drinking water to much of Dalmatia.

The unusual Climate in this region is a result of its position between the seaside and mountains. The differing climatic influences are visible in the vegetation of the region. The average temperature in January is about 4 degress celcius and in July the average temperature is above 23 degrees celcius. The average rainfall for this region is about 1400mm per year, which highlights the difference between this region compared to Split, and Livno. This is the reason for its sub-Mediterranean climate.

The Cetina river connects many fields and unites all the waters, both above and below ground. Therefore the Cetina river gets water from many regions including Livno, Duvno, Kupres and Glamoc. Therefore the hydrographical territory of Cetina is 3700 square meters. Just as the Cetina gets water from Bosnian regions, it also gives away a lot. Therefore colour thrown into Cetina will appear in springs Studenci, Jadro, and Zrnovnica. As can be seen, Cetina is a very complex system of hydrological relations and laws. The Cetina’s formation and intricate underground connections are miraculous! Its length is 105

kilometres and its flow is lower 385 meters when it comes to the Adriatic Sea from its source.
The source of the Cetina river is situated in a small village (called Cetina) 7 kilometres away from the town of Vrlika. Gospodarska pecina (Noble Cave) is situated 100 meters above the source. This cave has important historical significance as it has been used as shelter for many people throughout history. During the wars with Turkey local soliders (hajduk) Socivica hide thre. The Cave is deep but only a small section of it has been explored. At the end of the 18th century, Ivan Lovrenovic discovered and described it. He
claims that accompanied by a couple of "Morlaks”, after initially having trouble
entering the cave they came to a spacious hall ornamented with stalactites and stalagmites. While listening carefully, he recognized the sound of underground waters. Following the sound he came to a place he describes as a "royal underground river". Some people say that this is the place where underground waters divide to source both the river Krka and the river Cetina. But who can really understand the secrets of underground waters?

500 meters down from the start of the Cetina river where the stream is still fairly small, there is a bridge. This bridge has served people for centuries. The bridge has no name, no one knows who built it, or what year it was building. There are many of meadows, green grass and land flowers surrounding the bridge. Resting under a shady tree here listening to the sounds of the river is a wonderful retreat from both people and the hot summer sun. Right there under the bridge (Balecki bridge) is a great place to fish.

On Garjacka kosa, above the river, there are several vineyards. You can find grapes there that are different to all others. They make wine that is sweet and easy to drink. In the beginning of last century, Emperor Franz Joseph (Franjo Josip) came to Krajina, to drink "garjacko" wine. The house where he spent the night is called "Schonbrunn".

Cetina is an entrance to the Sinj fields. There are 60 square meters of fertile ground around town of Sinj, which makes it the biggest field in Dalmatia. There are lots of small towns and villages in that area. In the East are Gala, Otok, Udovicici, Ruda i Grab. In the West are Sinj, Brnaze, Turjaci and Kosute. In the North are Glavice, and in the South are Jabuka and Trilj. In the past after these areas flooded during wintertime, men would bring their animals to this fertile area to pasture. Today, this area is mainly used for corn and wheat.

Leaving the Sinj fields, the Cetina river flows into the canyon. Coasts are closer and higher, and the river is deep and slow. In the past the water in this area flowed quickly and was used to work mills, however, a Floodgate has been built which has nade the water slower and deeper. The floodgate at Djal place, redirects the river and makes the water flow to the hydro-electririty centre. This is one of three hydro-electririty centres in the region of Cetinska Krajina. There is a castle Nutjak above the canyon, which very silently challenges archaeologists and historians. In the town of Omis the river Cetina meets the Sea.

Colorado River Rafting Trips

2008-08-17T02:57:00.000-07:00

Rafting in Utah - Lodore Canyon Rafting
Start the trip at the "Gates of Lodore" and journey down through the multicolored canyons of the Green River.

You will see vermillion cliffs cut from Precambrian bedrock in Lodore canyon, then leapfrog through time as you cross a geologic fault in Echo Park, and see rock reflect the colors of a rainbow on your last day at the entrance to Split Mountain Gorge.

The whitewater is technical, and that means your guide's oars will be busy as a bee's wings, making quick cuts and dodges to keep the self-bailing raft headed for the clear chutes and clean waves. In the 1870's Pat Lynch, a hermit who lived at Echo Park, used to visit his neighbors by floating downstream with a log. When we reach Echo Park we'll blow up an inflatable kayak just in case you want to leave your neighbors on the raft for some personal, paddling fun.

Ethiopia River Rafting Trips

2008-08-17T02:53:00.000-07:00

Whitewater Rafting in Ethiopia
The Omo River Canyon remains one of the wildest, one of the most remote, and one of the most scenic places on Earth. Having been explored by only few western visitors, the Omo offers the greatest in all aspects of adventure: challenging terrain, exotic wildlife, extraordinary culture, and breathtaking scenery.

Trickling off remote portions of the Shewan highlands in northern Ethiopia, the Omo gains momentum from five major tributaries over its course, dropping more than six thousand feet in just under five hundred miles. Streaming through deep, forested gorges over the most desolate course in the world, tribal members said to have descended directly from the earliest homo sapiens to walk the planet - and still virtually unknown to the modern world - subsist off the river's abundance of flora and fauna.

Beasts of all proportions lurk within the corridor's shadows and pools, and some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet remain hidden within the gorge. The river drains into Lake Turkana near the Sudan border. The mystical Omo awaits those who yearn for an adventure of epic proportion!

South River Rafting Trips

2008-08-17T02:44:00.000-07:00

South Africa has several outstanding whitewater rafting runs, from mellow one-day stretches to overnight trips. The scenery is interesting and the wildlife plentiful on all South Africa whitewater rafting trips. Several rivers are located within a day’s drive of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and other major South African cities.

White Water Rafting in South Africa:
           As relaxing and enjoyable as a gentle river cruise is, there’s an ever growing group             of people who prefer the thrills and excitement of a rough and adrenaline packed South             African white water rafting trip. South Africa is home to some awesome torrential rivers             promising exhilarating white water rafting adventures. Under professional guidance,             novices as well as experts can experience hours of enjoyable and challenging adventures.

           Probably the most well known river in South Africa, the Orange River, runs through the             mountainous desert area known as the Richtersveld.             Whilst for the most part, the river is still and scenic it is also known for its fun             rapids. There is a one-day rafting trip above Augrabies             which features some exciting but not too radical rapids.

           The Vaal River has some fun petite rapids and is very close to Johannesburg so it is a             popular destination for both family and corporate trips. Bring your family, friends or             colleagues, come and explore Parys white water adventure and experience a river trip you             will never forget, only one hour's drive from the centre of Johannesburg.

           Down in the Western Cape             you’ll find the Doring River where slightly more advanced white water rafting             enthusiasts can test their skills. Running through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, the             Palmiet River is an absolutely wonderful South African white water rapid and offers             fantastic mechanical rafting opportunities and wonderful scenery. The trip offered takes             one day and includes all meals and sometimes a visit to a winery. The Molenaars is a very             technical run but only works for a few days immediately after heavy rain falls in the             catchment area - which makes it a difficult trip to plan.

           The Umkomaas             River on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast offers fantastic paddling with some fun and             challenging rapid to navigate. Just north of Durban, the Umgeni River has some enjoyable             rapids. The section paddled is part of the exhausting two-day Dusi Marathon. Blyde River             in Mpumalanga is             probably one of the most stunning rivers in the country and has rather steep gradients             which make for some intense South African white water rafting.

           Beach and Bush offer rafting packages on the Umkomaas River and the Buffalo River. White             water rafting is offered between November and April depending on the rivers’ water             level. For both novice and expert rafters, it is an exhilarating trip down one of the most             scenic stretches of the Umkomaas, also know as the Mkomazi River. Fully qualified S.A.R.A.             rated white water rafting guides will guide you down 12-24 kilometres of wild water             encountering grade 2-3 rapids. Two-man inflatable rubber ducks are used with the option of             a seven-man raft for the more nervous paddlers. On the 2-hour, 12 kilometres option,             drinks and snacks are included while on the 4 hour, 24-kilometre trip you will stop for             lunch on the bank of this gorgeous river.

           In 1993 the Buffalo River was opened up for white water rafting enthusiasts. In this             little corner of Zululand, you’ll find some of the most exciting white water             rafting in South Africa. Buffalo River was rated the one of the top ten best in Africa by             Getaway magazine and winds itself for 19km through private game farms on the one side of             the river and the Northern border of Zululand on the Eastern Coast of South Africa on the             other. In amongst the fun and adventure, be sure to look out for the magnificent bird and animal life             along the banks. One or two day rafting trips are also on offer.

           South Africa offers a plethora of glistening rivers that are ideal for exciting South             African white water rafting experiences.

Zambia River rafting Trips

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Southern Africa’s mighty Zambezi is truly one of the world’s most fabulous rafting trips. Crossing the boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, Zambezi river rafting trips have it all: exotic scenery and wildlife, phenomenally massive wave trains, and Class V whitewater
 Zambezi River Rafting Trips (Class V): Gigantic waves, powerful drops, and madly churning whitewater make the Class V Zambezi an adventure for people with previous rafting experience and a taste for the extreme.


More About Rafting in Zambia and Zimbabwe The Zambezi River is enough of a reason to visit this area of Sub-Saharan Africa, but the region is rich with other sights and chances for adventure. One of the largest rivers in all of Africa, the Zambezi literally drops off the face of the earth at Victoria Falls, a waterfall of awesome scale and power. Its waters nourish rich wildlife—elephants and giraffes, crafty lions and baboons, and many species of raptors—along its banks.

Ontario River rafting Trips

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The seemingly endless wilderness and diverse landscape in Ontario allow for plenty of outdoor activities including river rafting on the Ottawa River just a few hours drive from Montreal, Toronto, and Syracuse, NY.

Ottawa River Rafting trips
The most famous river for whitewater rafting in eastern Canada is the Ottawa River. It flows through the archipelago-like maze of hundreds of islands in the Rocher Fendu (Split Rock) region, a seven-mile stretch of channels with technical whitewater.

More About Rafting in Ontario

Ontario whitewater rafting trips on the Ottawa River feature roller-coaster-like Class IV rapids, calmer Class I-II rapids, and cascading waterfalls. There are numerous channels and because of the variety of routes, the Ottawa is one of the few rivers where rafters of all skill levels can begin and end their trip together. There are trip options for everyone from beginners to whitewater rafting pros. Depending on flows, Ottawa whitewater rafting trips are offered on the Main Channel, Middle Channel, and Lower Channel. Trips are generally one or two days in length. The Main Channel is run the most often for high-adrenaline rafting trips on the Ottawa’s well-known raft-drenching rapids. The Middle Channel is more remote and offers thrilling whitewater excitement and unique scenery. The Lower Ottawa is a fun float trip and fishing adventure for beginners and families with children. Ottawa River rafting trips run from May-September.

New Zealand rafting trips

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New Zealand whitewater rafting is one of the many activities available in a country known for adventure sports. It is only appropriate that the country that invented bungy jumping would offer some of the best whitewater rafting trips in the world.

North island New Zealand Rafting trips
from the:
Tongariro River
Mokau River
Rangitaiki River
Kaituna River
Motu River
Wairoa River
Mohaka River

South Island New Zealand Rafting Trips
from the:
Kawarau River
Shotover River
Landsborough River

Rafting

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ladakh India

Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1970s.

History

Rafting is one of the earliest means of transportation, used as a means for shipping people, hunting, and transferring food.

In 1842, Lieutenant John Fremont of the U.S. Army first journalized his rafting expedition on the Platte River. Horace H. Day designed the equipment he used in rafting. Day’s rafts were constructed from four independent rubber cloth tubes and wrap-around floor. ^[1]

In 1960s, rafting was then recognized and paths like Grand Canyon were routed and whitewater rafting companies were established.

In 1970s, rafting marked its major development as a leisure sport when it was then included in the Munich Olympic Games.

In 1980s, as rafting continued to gain its popularity, many rivers were opened for rafting activities including rivers in South America and Africa.

In 1990s, rafting was included in major game events like the Barcelona Games in 1992, Atlanta Games in 1996, and the whitewater events of the Summer Olympic Games hosted by Ocoee River in Tennessee Valley. In addition, the International Federation of Rafting was instituted in 1997 and in 1999 the first Official International Championship was held.

Currently, river rafting is still gaining popularity among extreme water sports in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.

Whitewater rafts

Rafts were originally the simplest form of man’s transportation in water and were then made of several logs, planks or reeds which were fastened together. Nowadays, inflatable boat were used as rafts which were later adopted by the military for beach assaults. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Its length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). The exception to this size rule is usually the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 1.5m long and weigh as little as 4 lbs.

Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. In Russia rafts are often hand made and are often a catamaran style with two inflatable tubes attached to a frame. Pairs of paddlers navigate these rafts. Catamaran style rafts have become popular in the western United States as well, but are typically rowed instead of paddled.

Rivers with high current are used for White water rafting. Specially, White Water Rafting is popular in Nepal due to high current of water falling through hills and rocky mountains.

Classes of Whitewater

Main article: International Scale of River Difficulty

Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. (Skill Level: None)
Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require maneuvering.(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
Class 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)
Class 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)
Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)
Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of most all rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. (Skill Level: Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of luck or extreme skill)

Safety

Whitewater rafting can be a dangerous sport, especially if basic safety precautions are not observed. Both commercial and private trips have seen their share of injuries and fatalities, though private travel has typically been associated with greater risk. Depending on the area, legislated safety measures may exist for rafting operators. These range from certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, to more stringent regulations about equipment and procedures. It is generally advisable to discuss safety measures with a rafting operator before signing on for a trip. The equipment used and the qualifications of the company and raft guides are essential information to be considered.

Like most outdoor sports, rafting in general has become safer over the years. Expertise in the sport has increased, and equipment has become more specialized and increased in quality. As a result the difficulty rating of most river runs has changed. A classic example would be the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, which has swallowed whole expeditions in the past, leaving only fragments of boats but is now run safely by commercial outfitters hundreds of times each year, with relatively untrained passengers. ^[2]

Risks in whitewater rafting stem from both environmental dangers and from improper behavior. Certain features on rivers are inherently unsafe and have remained consistently so despite the passage of time. These would include "keeper hydraulics", "strainers" (e.g. fallen trees), dams (especially low-head dams, which tend to produce river-wide keeper hydraulics), undercut rocks, and of course dangerously high waterfalls. Rafting with experienced guides is the safest way to avoid such features. Even in safe areas, however, moving water can always present risks -- such as when a swimmer attempts to stand up on a rocky riverbed in strong current, risking foot entrapment. Irresponsible behavior related to rafting while intoxicated has also contributed to many accidents.

To combat the illusion that rafting is akin to an amusement park ride, and to underscore the personal responsibility each rafter faces on a trip, rafting outfitters generally require customers to sign waiver forms indicating understanding and acceptance of potential serious risks. Rafting trips often begin with safety presentations to educate customers about problems that may arise.

Due to this the overall risk level on a rafting trip with experienced guides using proper precautions is low.^{[citation needed]} Thousands of people safely enjoy raft trips every year.

By:Wikipedia