Travel Blog

What are the rafting skills you need for whitewater river trips? Well that depends on which trip you are taking and the class of rapids that you will be navigating. Are you a beginner and want to see what whitewater rafting is all about. Most rafting companies will recommend that you take a rafting trip on a class one river rapids. These are easily navigable and you should not get wet. They are suitable for seniors, children and beginners. Once you have seen what a class one trip is like you can progress to more challenging class two or three level trips.

Most rafting river whitewater companies will have their guides spend a few minutes before you ever get on the river. They will brief you on what to expect and how to steer the raft. In addition how to put on the life vests and all other items that you need to be aware for your whitewater rafting trip. Pay close attention and follow the instructions, to ensure that you will not have any problems. You will enjoy the trip immensely and the thrills that go along with more challenging trips.

Rafting Skill Whitewater

Class 3, 4 and 5 whitewater rapids are more challenging and require more skills from participants. You must be able to follow instructions closely and quickly in fast water, you must be able to paddle to assist the group in directing the raft to the correct whitewater rapid location on the river. You must not panic while on the raft during some of the more challenging whitewater rapids which often have rolling waves and will be sure to douse you in cold river water.

There is always a chance that your raft will be flipped over or someone in the raft will be tossed in the water as you pass through some of the rougher whitewater rapids especially in class 4 or 5 river rapids . Most companies will require that you be a strong swimmer and are able to swim out of these kinds of situations. Some whitewater river companies will require that you pass swimming tests and rafting skills tests prior to actually going on some of the class 5 whitewater river rafting trips. Before you sign up , always read the fine print so you know what to expect and have a great rafting trip through the whitewater rapids.

For more information about the rafting skill whitewater and physical requirements of white water rafting, click here.

One of our readers asked the question about what the physical requirements for rafting were? I guess they were thinking about going white water rafting for the first time. They were perhaps a bit nervous about being able to stay in the raft, or perhaps paddling. They also perhaps worried about carrying a heavy load while portaging or just holding on while you navigate the rapids of any particular river. These are all valid concerns and most rafting guides will address these issues before ever embarking on your white water rafting trip.

What are the physical requirements for rafting?

Well the answer is that it depends. All rivers with rapids were rafting companies offer rafting trips are rated in terms of difficulty and physical requirements. If you want to read more about this rating system, go to White Water rafting river ratings or click here. This page will fill you in on the rating system and provide you with a broad gauge of what to expect for a river that is rated in each group.

Interview the Rafting Company

It also depends on the rafting company and the tour package they offer. Some trips are totally managed by the tour company and you go along for the ride, while others feel that the work of paddling and portaging, camping out is all part of the experience. Some people also look for this type of experience. So if you plan to go rafting, esquire with the tour company about the exact expectations of each participant before you sign up. A class II rapids is basically a floater with little or no experience needed. While a class IV is much more interesting with lots of rapids and most companies will require experience and some physical conditions.

Class I and II will often be able to support seniors and children to give them the experience of rafting without the danger of more challenging rapids in a class III or above kind of trip.

Time of Year

The time of year is also important. Early spring and late fall are going to be colder so you need to wear appropriate clothing. Always bring along an extra set of clothing for everyone. Chances are you will get a bit wet on most trips and drenched on class III or higher. Even on hot summer time days, the weather can be unpredictable and be quite cool along the river in the shade. If you are going on an over night trip, dry clothes in a water proof bag is a must. Unless your gear is being transported separately by car.

Finally spring runoff or storm runoff can change a normally tranquil class II into a raging Class III or IV in minutes. Before you sign up always check conditions. Talk it over with the operator to be sure that you have the physical requirements necessary to handle the conditions. This is especially true for children and seniors.

There are many whitewater rafting trips in virtually every state and province in North America. Many are not far from most major urban centers. There are also a number in Central America and south America, although we do not have much information about these as of yet. On some trips physical fitness is very important. Many others that are more family oriented. They can accommodate people who may not be as physically fit as others.

Whitewater trips have become very popular for families, seniors as well as the extreme adventure tourist. Of course the more challenging the whitewater rapids are, the more equipment and skills you need to make sure that you will have a successful and safe trip. Regardless of which type of trip you take, always make sure you have an experienced guide with you. Also make sure that the equipment you are using is well maintained.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Lower Classes of Rapids

Class one and two trips are for beginners, children and seniors. A class one set of whitewater rapids are relatively easy to navigate, although you still need to be wearing a life jacket and you need to follow the instructions of the guides. These can be very nice relaxing whitewater trips were you can enjoy the scenery. And also the wildlife that may exist along the river.Most of these trips do not require any level of physical fitness or swimming ability since there is little likely hood of you ending up in the water.

However always were a life jacket since someone can make a wrong move and end up in the water. After all you are on a raft in the water and common sense demands that you wear a life jacket. Even if you can swim always wear a life jacket while in the raft.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Classes of Rapids

If you are planning to take on higher class rapids, make sure you read the requirements and the safety issues before you sign up. This will make sure you receive what you expect in terms of whitewater thrills.  Verify the condition of the equipment and the experience level of the guides. After all if something goes wrong you want to know that you are in good hands.

Class 3, class 4 and class 5 rapids are progressively more difficult and thrilling. You may need to pass a number of tests before going on some of these whitewater trips. Guides need to make sure that you can handle any of the potential upsets that could occur.Although in Class 3 and 4 rapids you probably will not flip out of the raft, you should be able to swim. You need to know how to swim out of a rapid as well as some of the circular spins that are set up around some rocks. This demands a certain level of common sense, experience and physical fitness to be able to do this.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Class 5

Particularly in class 5 whitewater rapids trips, participants could be thrown out of the raft or the raft could even tip over. If this happens you need to be able to swim out of the rapids and get to shore were someone can pick you up.

Being tossed about in the water in the middle of a set of rapids is not for the faint of heart, nor the non swimmer even if you have a life jacket. Make sure you have your helmet on and focus on what you need to do. The worst thing you can do is panic. Focus on staying calm, recall the guidelines your guide gave you about swimming out and avoiding rocks.

If you are not up to the task of swimming out of the whitewater rapids, then this level of rafting trip may not be for you. You can still have great thrills if you go on lower class rafting trips down whitewater rapids.

Time of Year for White Water Rafting

Remember too that rapids classification are also dependent on the amount of water that is cascading down the river. Spring runoff will usually bring higher cascades than summer or late fall. Unless there are heavy rains in the headlands of these whitewater rapids. If you cannot go on a particular rapid in the spring or early summer due to the amount of water churning down the river,  check back in the late summer. There may be less water at that time and you will be able to enjoy the scenery. Also the thrill on that particular set of rapids at that time.

As you gain experience, perhaps train and get into shape, learn to swim or improve your swimming, you will be able to take on even greater rafting challenges. It is all about having fun, having a few thrills and being safe in an environment that is potentially quite dangerous.

You constructive comments are welcome.