RAFTING VACATIONS, “ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER”
BY CLAY LARROY
Traveling can be an important
part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. Take time each day to
alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot of
stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another one
is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will make
it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
Long
before Space Mountain or Coney Island, nature was supplying an elite group of
adventurers with a rollercoaster of its own, a ride designed millions of years
ago by a master craftsman. Today, thousands of people each year head to rivers
around the world to engage in the sport of rafting.
If
you are considering a rafting vacation, this guide will help introduce you to
the issues you should engage during the planning stage. Even if you are an
experienced rafter, there are a few new considerations to be undertaken when
you travel a great distance with companions for your active vacation. A bit of
foresight will help you make good decisions in your choice of location and
guides and ensure a well-planned vacation. Whether any experienced rafter or a
novice, you are a rafting vacation offers you the ride of your life all while
sitting down!
For
purposes of this activity guide, we are speaking only about rafting and not
sister paddling sports such as canoeing and kayaking.
Few
active vacations provide the fast paced action that is yours when rafting. You
and your companions will find yourselves surrounded by landscape sometimes only
seen by those who take the river, as stretches of many river runs are
inaccessible by any other mode of travel. Rafting vacations provide a unique
opportunity to engage in a physical activity for the entirety of a vacation
experience. If you already enjoy rafting, you know what you are looking for in
a trip and need to consider your choice of outfitter.
If
you are a first timer, or not an experienced rafter, then a rafting vacation is
for you if:
- You
enjoy active vacations;
- You
want to spend your vacation time out of doors;
- You
enjoy both personal accomplishment and cooperative activities while
vacationing;
- You
enjoy camping and roughing it;
- You
want to experience a very "different" type of vacation.
The
three variables that make up the matrix from which a traveler looking for a
rafting vacation may choose are destination, degree of difficulty and
companions. A good travel consultant is a key component to choosing the right
vacation from the right tour operator or guides. There are many possible guide
companies and options from which to choose, and each has a different story to
tell regarding its own history and experience with rafting. Work with your
travel consultant to choose the rafting trip that is right for you and your
traveling companions.
Tour
operators provide local knowledge of your river, logistical support, routes,
itineraries, equipment, food, portage, accommodations and emergency aid when
necessary. It is important during the planning stage to select a tour operator
that offers an experience that matches your own preferences, and those of your
companions.
Ask
your tour operator about their cancellation policies and their "bad
weather" policies. Typically, bad weather does not mean rain (hey, getting
wet is part of the experience), but severe lightening or torrential rains that
raise river levels are factors that must be considered.
Find
out about accommodations during your trip down river, what type of camping
equipment is provided and provisions for privacy. Ask about food quality and
meal preparation. Typically the guides prepare all meals. Finally, ask your
tour company about the size of the boats. When traveling with a group, you will
want to know in advance whether you will be riding together or split between
boats.
The
traveler considering a rafting vacation should objectively understand his or
her skill level and the degree of difficulty of the destination river. The
difference between Class Two rapids and Class Five is nothing short of
monumental, and no one should find themselves "over their head"!
Remember to take into consideration the difficulty factor as it might affect
every traveler in your group. If one of your party is less experienced than
others, the trip is likely to be a very different experience for individual
members unless the river guide company is somehow prepared to accommodate disparities
in ability.
Many
guides and tour operators impose age limits on rafters for difficult stretches
of river. If you are traveling with riders under the age of 18, inquire as to
the company’s policies for children and families. Likewise, if you do not want
to travel with children in your companion group, investigate the same issues
with your tour operator.
Companies
providing rafting experiences typically segregate participants by experience
and sometimes age. Many offer several different river runs or routes involving
how much time is spent on the river, the difficulty of the rapids along the
route, and the distance to be covered during a given day. It is important that
the traveler be comfortable with the available options, so ask your tour
operator.
The
classifications below are based on international standards for degrees of
difficulty in whitewater sports, with gradients from Class I, the easiest to
Class VI, the most difficult. If you are an experienced paddle enthusiast,
these categories are no doubt familiar to you. If you are new to the sport, it
is very important to stay within the limits of your comfort zone.
- Class
I-
Easy. Calm, flat water with few obstructions; fast moving water with small
ripples; risk is slight if the participant knows how to swim.
- Class
II-
Novice. Some maneuvering required; obstacles such as rocks and
medium-sized waves are easy to avoid with minimal paddle instruction; low
risk elements.
- Class
III-
Intermediate. This is where the real fun, and the risks, begins! Class III
rapids are more technical in nature, meaning moderate to large whitewater
which is capable of swamping a raft. Some large waves, holes and
hydraulics may be present but can be avoided with a moderate amount of
paddle training; the current is stronger and advance visual scouting of
water patterns a useful practice and skill. Swimmers practicing good river
technique are unlikely to be injured.
- Class
IV-
Advanced. Powerful currents with large rapids. The water will be turbulent
and powerful with long stretches of rapids to run. Many waves and
obstacles may be difficult to avoid. The route may require fast maneuvers
and quick decisions and skill in gauging and scouting the best possible
route through a set up rapids is important. There will be a risk of injury
to swimmers and rescue skills among the group are important.
- Class
V-
Expert. Powerful and intense rapids with long runs and unavoidable waves
and obstacles. Steep drops, dangerous hydraulics and holes may be present
as may be narrow chutes. Is it is essential that all team members be
experienced and that rescue skills be practiced and well-rehearsed.
- Class
VI-
Very difficult to impossible without injury. High risk suitable for only
the most experienced and willing to accept serious risk.
In
all instances, the experience level of your guide is an essential factor. Ask
whether your outfitter uses a paddleboat or an oar boat for your river
experience. Paddleboats require more skill of the crew as they power the boat
with their paddles. Typically, the guide in a paddleboat acts as the rudder in
the back of the craft. In an oar boat set-up, the guide is forward and uses his
oars to navigate with the crew providing less assistance.
REFERENCE SITES:
“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.”
― Laura Gilpin
― Laura Gilpin
Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your
family or friends!
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