Right on! You're going rafting. Huh?
You have some questions? Well, what are they? Do you have to be a certain age? You don't know what to wear? You don't know how to put on a PFD. You're worried about the shoes to wear. You're frightened. Do you have to be able to swim?
No need to worry. Things will be alright. More than 60,000 people a year raft the South Fork of the American river alone annually. This is a great idea for a vacation. I applaud your caution, here are some thoughts to help you enjoy that trip!
Here are some considerations to for making your trip the best it can be:
1. TRUST in the people running your trip. If you're rafting with a professional company, you're rafting with people who have many years of training and a reputation on the line.
2. Be POSITIVE. Nerves are normal, this is something new, something exciting but don't be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and enjoy.
3. Rafting has two distinct seasons, what to WEAR is largely dictated by the season:
* SPRING rafting ~ is cooler, consult the company you're rafting, 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 ~ A good strap on sandal or your trusty 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. No matter your skin tone you've got to wear SUNBLOCK! Please consider wearing an all natural / biodegradable sunblock as studies are showing conventional sunblocks 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.
5. 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.
6. Trust the GEAR. You'll be wearing top of the line personal flotation 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.
7. GO FOR IT, GO FOR IT ALL. 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. Unless you like to be harassed, there are some things you should know NOT to do. Please, do not come to the trip with a towel in hand. Towels do not go down the river. This is not a day of sun on the sandy beaches of Southern California. This is whitewater rafting man, this is fun, adventure and we AIR DRY on the river! (okay, that was a bit extreme, but you get the idea) A towel in your car, for a shower after your trip, sure, but not to the trip itself. Don't wear suntan oil. Oil + Skin + Rubber = you swimming a lot. 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. 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.
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. Most every professional trip includes a competent GUIDE, to ensure the safest trip possible.
13. AGE, check with the company you're rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.
14. 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 have some questions? Well, what are they? Do you have to be a certain age? You don't know what to wear? You don't know how to put on a PFD. You're worried about the shoes to wear. You're frightened. Do you have to be able to swim?
No need to worry. Things will be alright. More than 60,000 people a year raft the South Fork of the American river alone annually. This is a great idea for a vacation. I applaud your caution, here are some thoughts to help you enjoy that trip!
Here are some considerations to for making your trip the best it can be:
1. TRUST in the people running your trip. If you're rafting with a professional company, you're rafting with people who have many years of training and a reputation on the line.
2. Be POSITIVE. Nerves are normal, this is something new, something exciting but don't be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and enjoy.
3. Rafting has two distinct seasons, what to WEAR is largely dictated by the season:
* SPRING rafting ~ is cooler, consult the company you're rafting, 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 ~ A good strap on sandal or your trusty 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. No matter your skin tone you've got to wear SUNBLOCK! Please consider wearing an all natural / biodegradable sunblock as studies are showing conventional sunblocks 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.
5. 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.
6. Trust the GEAR. You'll be wearing top of the line personal flotation 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.
7. GO FOR IT, GO FOR IT ALL. 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. Unless you like to be harassed, there are some things you should know NOT to do. Please, do not come to the trip with a towel in hand. Towels do not go down the river. This is not a day of sun on the sandy beaches of Southern California. This is whitewater rafting man, this is fun, adventure and we AIR DRY on the river! (okay, that was a bit extreme, but you get the idea) A towel in your car, for a shower after your trip, sure, but not to the trip itself. Don't wear suntan oil. Oil + Skin + Rubber = you swimming a lot. 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. 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.
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. Most every professional trip includes a competent GUIDE, to ensure the safest trip possible.
13. AGE, check with the company you're rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.
14. 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!
About the Author:
For more than 20-years Christopher Pyle has guided the American River. As owner/director of Action Whitewater'sSummer Adventure Camp, he combines his love of the river and its natural offerings with his passion for a child's right to happiness, he shares each summer with those that attend camp. For a peek into camp-life, and to learn how you can join him, visit the camp page.
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