White Water Rafting Adventure - Tips For Taking the Ride of Your Life
A whitewater rafting adventure, have you ever thought about jumping in with both feet? The beginner can have just as much fun and excitement as the seasoned expert. The following 7 tips will help get you safely prepared to take the ride of your life.
Tip 1. Make Reservations. There are whitewater-rafting sites that will take walk-ins but it is best to make a reservation, especially during peak season. Decide what river you would like to experience then go online and search the available Whitewater Rafting companies. I know firsthand that the rafting outfits near Blue Ridge, TN do a great job meandering down the Ocoee River. I highly recommend Ocoee Rafting, LLC which is located about 2 ½ hours north of Atlanta.
Tip 2. Allow some extra time. If you are not familiar with the area you may want to allow some extra time before your appointed trip time. Make sure to get good directions before you leave home. We ended up at the wrong rafting company but had plenty of time to correct the error and arrive at the right location with time to spare. FYI: Be sure to take your reservation number and info with you.
Tip 3. Eat a light meal. With all of the waiting, preparation, mini-safety lessons and actual run down the river expect to be gone anywhere from 4 to 6 hours for a half day trip. Eat a small meal right before you go, normally food and drink are not allowed on the raft.
Tip 4. What to wear? Everyone in the raft will get wet! With that said make sure you wear clothing that dries quickly. For example, a bathing suit under surfing shorts for ladies, swim trunks and a t-shirt for men. For your feet, water shoes work the best, no flip-flops in the raft. The rafting company will provide life jackets, helmets, and an oar. River trips run rain or shine and you are guaranteed to get soaked either way.
Tip 5. What to take? Take a set of dry clothes and flip-flops to change into after your whitewater rafting run. Be sure to take a towel for each person. A waterproof disposable camera that can clip onto your shorts is a nice extra. Most rafting companies will have a photographer take pictures at some point on your run. These photos will be for sale when you return (Hey, they gotta make money somehow). The pictures come out pretty nice. Ask ahead of time if you don't want to fool around with your own waterproof camera.
Tip 6. What not to take? Do not take valuable items. Do not take sunglasses and if you really don't need your eyeglasses to make the run, leave them in your car or bring a head strap or buy a set of goggles that go over your glasses. If you sit at the front of the raft your glasses will get so wet that it is hard to see out of them. Do not wear your best sneakers. Lastly, leave your car keys at the whitewater rafting office.
Tip 7. Who should go? Anyone seeking something to do that is just a little out of the ordinary should definitely check it out. Children have to be at least 12 years old with most whitewater rafting companies. Those under 18 need their parents signed permission. Everyone in the raft needs to sign a liability waiver. If you are in reasonably good health then I say go, go, go. You will have the ride of your life and good memories to share with your family.
Tip 8. Do your research. Find out more about the activity and from here you will gauge what level of white water rafting is suitable for you. If you are a beginner, you may be looking into waters that have diminutive waves and routes that have less obstructions. Such rapids are classified as I & II. There are 5 classifications of rapids; class III has bigger waves and minimal obstacles that may need a more technical type of paddling. For IV & V classifications, more advanced rafting skills are needed. It is important that you find out what level you are capable of. This will determine the success and enjoyment of your experience. Then you can set date for your adventure and eventually book a trip.
Tip 9. There are two types of white water rafting boats and each has its own unique quality to make the activity an adventure. An oar frame rafting trip has the guide controlling the boat completely. This type of rafting trip is ideal for children and individuals who are incapable of doing their own paddling. There is also a paddle guide rafting trip where the majority of the passengers help paddle the boat. The guide instructs the boaters while positioned at the boat's rear where he is equipped with a guide stick. This kind of white water rafting is mostly used on rapids that have higher classification levels, where a minimum of four strong paddlers are required.
Tip 10: Contact the company you decide to book with and be informed of what you are required to bring on your trip. Most companies provide the basic essentials such as life jackets, dry bags and spray coats, tents and camping bags for longer rapid trips. Overnight whitewater rafting adventures may entail more packing for you such as toiletries, clothes and regular medication sufficient for the duration of the trip. It is also good to know what inclusions there are in the package. Are amenities such as locker rooms, and meals included? Does the tour company of choice include shuttling of participants to and from the rapids? How about photo souvenirs? If you are white water rafting as a group, ask the outfitter about the passenger capacity of their boats, and of course group discounts.
Whitewater rafting is an outdoor activity that will surely fill you with the thrills and exhilaration of a robust water adventure. Knowing some of the most important tips and things to remember is part of the preparation that will lead to the convenience and success of one thrilling and interesting river ride. Enjoy the best river rafting in carolina by clicking on white water rafting north carolina.
