So, You're Going Rafting: how to be prepared
Rafting: be ready, have fun
Being Prepared: What to Expect and Have Fun on your Raft Trip
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Step by Step How To for Whitewater Rafting
You've been invited to go whitewater rafting, congratulations! What?
You're nervous. You can't swim. You don't know what to do. Are you going off waterfalls? Are you fit enough? Are you old enough? Are you young enough? What do you wear? How do you wear it? Do you need special shoes? 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 14 easy steps to make your trip a breeze: RELAX! If you're rafting with a professional company, you're in great hands. They know what they're doing and they know how to get you down a river
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.
Rafting has different seasons, what you 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.
No matter the season, no matter your skin tone, SUNBLOCK! We like to recommend all natural / biodegradable sunblock as they're learning these 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.
Proper SHOES - Shoes must strap to the foot. Crocs and their composite foam ankle strap do not count as they do not bind to the foot. Old tennis shoes are good because you can tie them. Name brand foot ware 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.
Trust the GEAR. You'll be wearing top of the line personal floatation 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.
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.
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.
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.
No, generally there are no WATERFALLS. There are drops but nothing that equates to a waterfall. The boats are made to do what you'll be doing, relax.
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.
The trips are professionally GUIDED. You'll have a professional, competent guide in the back of the raft controlling the action.
AGE, check with the company you're rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.
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!
You're welcome to find free information on summer camps and what you might expect from a camp, videos of camp-life in action and photos, visit our summer camp page. Action Whitewater Adventures has been providing quality raft trips to families and youth groups for 20-years on the South Fork of the American River.
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