Learn why it’s never too late to try white water rafting. Find tips on preparation, safety, and selecting the right difficulty level.
The following is a guest post from my bloggy friends at New Gauley River Adventures. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
Riding the Rapids: Everything You Need to Know About White Water Rafting
Are you looking for your next vacation idea? Do you have the need to go outside and explore? Have you considered white water rafting as your next destination?
With white water rafting, you and your whole family can enjoy a trip down white water rapids and take in all the sights and sounds of nature.
Before you can go white water rafting however, you need to make sure that you are prepared and ready for your trip.
What Is White Water Rafting?
White water rafting is a recreational activity where a raft (usually one that is made out of rubber) is navigated down a series of white water rapids for fun. Think of it as a camping trip that’s focused around rafting.
Rafting doesn’t need to be a weeklong or even a weekend-long experience either. There are white water rafting locations that offer half-day and full-day packages as well. This way you can enjoy the benefits of white water rafting and still be back home by that evening.
Once you are on a raft, you will be guided down a river full of fast and shallow stretches of river known as rapids. Just how strong these rapids are depends on a grading scale between one and six, with six being the most challenging. Grade six is for the most experienced rafters only while grade one is for those that want a gentle white water rapids experience. For safety, most guided rafting trips have rapids up to grade three.
What Should I Bring On A White Water Rafting Trip?
Although you don’t usually have to worry about the raft or the paddles, there are some items that you definitely want to bring with you on a white water rafting trip. Some items are for safety and some are to make your trip more pleasurable, but you want to make sure that you pack:
- Swimsuit or shorts
- Sunglasses with a strap so they don’t get lost
- Hat or a visor with a brim (to protect you from the sun)
- Sturdy footwear like tennis shoes or water shoes
- Waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of more than 50. Make sure that it is sweat-resistant as well.
- Water Bottle
- Snacks and lunch if they are not provided by the guide.
- Dry clothes for after the rafting trip and a bag for your wet clothes.
- A towel
- Dry shoes
White water rafting doesn’t have to be done during the height of summer either. There are some locations in the US that run rafting trips during the winter as well. When rafting in colder waters, you want to make sure that you pack warmer clothes like:
- Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
- Waterproof boots or shoes
- Warm and snug hat
- Waterproof or wool socks
No matter what the temperature is however, make sure that you don’t wear cotton clothes while rafting. Cotton is a poor insulator and can make you even colder when it is wet. Instead, make sure that you wear clothes made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester. Wool socks and underwear works too, since it will keep you warm, even when wet.
Where To Go White Water Rafting
Now that you know what to pack on your rafting trip, the next step is to find the perfect location to go rafting. There are stunningly beautiful locations all across the United States to choose from, so how do you pick the perfect location for your trip?
One thing that you want to keep in mind is the time of year that you want to go rafting. Although you can choose to go rafting at pretty much any time of year (just make sure that you’re dressed warmly in the winter!), late spring tends to provide a more intense white water rafting experience because the melting snow will increase river speed. Rafting during the summer months is popular because the weather is usually warm and dry, allowing for other outdoor recreational activities if desired.
If you want a gentler rafting experience, then autumn is the way to go. By the end of summer, the river flow will decrease, making gentler rapids for rafters.
Then, you want to make sure that the destination that you pick has rapids that match your skill level. One way that you can quickly tell from a glance is by using the grading system that measures how strong the rapids are in a particular run. As mentioned earlier, this system has six grades, ranging from grade one (the gentlest) to grade six (extremely dangerous) and for those that are just starting out, grade three provides the most challenge while still remaining safe and fun for novices.
But that doesn’t mean you want to leave out the gentler grades altogether either. Grades one and two still provide you with breathtaking views and give you an experience that you’ll never forget.
Finally, choose the location that’s right for you! Keep in mind how far you are willing to travel and whether they offer a half-day or full-day option. Although many white water rapids are found in the western United States, there are still some options for the east coast dwellers as well. Just keep the time of year in mind and pack accordingly for the trip.
So, find the right white water rapids destination for your next vacation and have an experience that you will never forget.
Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for New & Gauley River Adventures
