You're going rafting, hooray!
You want to go but you have a list of worries: age, strength, what to wear, how to wear it, what shoes, you're not a great swimmer, is it dangerous, etc.
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.
Follow these simple pointers and you'll get the most out of your rafting trip:
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. Go with a can do ATTITUDE. It's alright to be nervous, this is something new, something exciting but don't be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and enjoy.
3. There are two specific season to rafting, what to WEAR depends on the season:
* SPRING rafting ~ tends to be cooler, you should definitely consult the company you're rafting with but a thin wetsuit may be appropriate. More commonly, 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. SUNBLOCK! You might want to think about an natural / biodegradable sunblock as research ties damaged ocean reefs to the more conventional chemical ones, 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. RELAX, the GEAR you'll be wearing rocks! The flotation devices 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. DEDICATE yourself to the adventure. 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. DON'Ts ~ Don't bring a towel to the river! 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 = swimming. 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. Pick a company that you feel comfortable with when you're speaking to them. No one can make you raft with them. If you're feeling uncomfortable, call another company. 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. The trips are professionally GUIDED. You'll have a professional, competent guide in the back of the raft controlling the action.
13. If you're concerned with AGE, call the company and ask them what's appropriate for the trip you're considering.
14. Rafting is a great time. Please don't back out based on fear. You've got this lined up, now go knock it down, this is a great time. - 22873
You want to go but you have a list of worries: age, strength, what to wear, how to wear it, what shoes, you're not a great swimmer, is it dangerous, etc.
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.
Follow these simple pointers and you'll get the most out of your rafting trip:
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. Go with a can do ATTITUDE. It's alright to be nervous, this is something new, something exciting but don't be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and enjoy.
3. There are two specific season to rafting, what to WEAR depends on the season:
* SPRING rafting ~ tends to be cooler, you should definitely consult the company you're rafting with but a thin wetsuit may be appropriate. More commonly, 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. SUNBLOCK! You might want to think about an natural / biodegradable sunblock as research ties damaged ocean reefs to the more conventional chemical ones, 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. RELAX, the GEAR you'll be wearing rocks! The flotation devices 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. DEDICATE yourself to the adventure. 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. DON'Ts ~ Don't bring a towel to the river! 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 = swimming. 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. Pick a company that you feel comfortable with when you're speaking to them. No one can make you raft with them. If you're feeling uncomfortable, call another company. 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. The trips are professionally GUIDED. You'll have a professional, competent guide in the back of the raft controlling the action.
13. If you're concerned with AGE, call the company and ask them what's appropriate for the trip you're considering.
14. Rafting is a great time. Please don't back out based on fear. You've got this lined up, now go knock it down, this is a great time. - 22873
About the Author:
For more than 20-years Christopher Pyle has guided the American River.. As owner/director of Action WhitewatersSummer Adventure Camp, Christopher mixes a love for the river and his passion for sharing Mother Nature with today's youth.. To sneak a glimpse of camp and secure your place this summer please go to the camp page.
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