The magic of white water rafting, the adrenaline pumping with the thrill of negotiating a rapid or just gently floating past terraced hillsides and forest. Rafting is an experience not to be missed. And once you get the taste for it lets us warn you how addictive this is. The Rapids gushing and unforgiving are a challenge. But there are some who dare to go, who dare to defy the challenge of these unforgiving rivers. Just for the sheer thrill of conquering them. Thrill that’s intense, the thrill of White Water Rafting.
If you love adventure and want to do something special for your next vacation, then perhaps a White Water Rafting trip would be a good idea. White Water Rafting or what is simply known as Rafting is a popular outdoor activity which makes use of an inflatable Raft to navigate a body of water with turbulent current, usually a river. Rapids are classified based on the conditions of the water. These classifications indicate how intense and difficult Rafting can be in the particular river.

The Rafts

A rubberized, pneumatic 16-footer raft with metal frame strapped and two pairs of Navigational Oars and four paddles in each raft (Six to nine paddles including one guide paddle in case you are running a paddle raft i.e. without the huge navigational oars) for the crew. Up to two spare paddles are also kept for odd times. Each raft is capable of taking in Eight (8) persons on board including the guide. It is very scientifically made with standard buoyancy as required in these waters. Parts of Rafts Thwarts These are the inflated tubes which are perpendicular to the main tubes. They keep the shape of the entire Raft and make it more buoyant. Valves Valves are structures which allow air to pass when inflating or deflating the tubes. These should be durable and can be easily accessed. D-rings These are D-shaped metal or steel rings attached on the sides of the Raft. D-rings are used to secure lines or ropes. They are also used when tying your Raft on top of a trailer. Floor The floor of the Raft can either be self-bailing or standard. A standard floor is attached to the main tubes. Once the water gets into the Raft, you need to bail the water out to keep the Raft light and manoeuvrable. On the other hand, a self-bailing floor does not require manual bailing. As the name implies, it is designed in such a way that when water gets into the Raft, it sheds water off the floor and out of the Raft through holes. Tubes These are inflated structures which form the shape of the Raft. Tubes are divided into chambers which provide buoyancy even if one of the chambers is deflated.

The Rafters

1. GUIDE : The main navigator who sits on the center giving direction and command and selects the channel to be followed in the rapids.   2. HIGHSIDER : The person who takes the burnt of the waves and does the balancing act by throwing his body weight in the direction required. 3. PADDLERS: With both hands on the oar, they paddle hard through the rapid with their feet anchored. They have to balance themselves and paddle hard on direction by the guide.

River Rapids Classification

The International Scale of River Difficulty classifies rivers into six classes. Class I rivers are the easiest to tackle while Class VI rivers pose extreme difficulties. Holes/Pourovers: The water descends down and whorls up and the under current is very strong. Hydraulic: The waves whorl and turn inwards causing a hydraulic motion. Curler Waves: The big waves sharply fall in a curl around and can throw the raft like a matchbox. Pin up Rocks: Rocks that can hold up the raft and one can get struck up for a long time. Eddie: Strong whirlpools with fast currents, which will pull, down the raft or keep it going in circles normally on the opposite direction. Class I – Easy Characterized by low waves, small rapids, and slow current, Class I rivers are very easy to navigate. Manoeuvring is not required in this class. Class II – Moderate Basic training is necessary to navigate this river class, which is characterized by faster currents. Experienced paddling skills may be required. Class III – Moderately difficult Rapids in this river class change all the time. This class, which has harsh currents, requires manoeuvring and experienced paddling skills. Class IV – Difficult Aside from experienced paddling skills, boating manoeuvres are also essential when navigating this river class. Violent currents, moreover, can throw a rafter off a boat. Class V – Extremely difficult Intense rapids that hide rocks are a regular in a Class V river, making it dangerous for some rafters. Therefore, advanced Whitewater experience is necessary. Class VI – Extraordinarily difficult No one actually attempts to ride this river class since this poses extreme difficulties. The fatality risk is high, and if one decides to brave Class VI rapids, perfect conditions are a must. Rapid classification differs from time to time. The level of difficulty and intensity of a river fluctuate according to changes in river bed topography, flow, and even the presence of obstacles. River classification serves mainly as a guideline for Rafting enthusiasts. It is still wise to consult the experts about river rapids before heading out.