Things You'll Need:
- raft
- paddle
- whitewater
- guide
- PFD
- helmet
- a sense of adventure
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Step 1
Decide what class of whitewater you are prepared to paddle. Rivers are classed by difficulty and the potential risk they present. A class 1 river is easy, requiring little to no skill to navigate it safely. A class 6 river is considered very difficult to navigate and presents a high risk of death.
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Step 2
Make sure you have a guide who knows the river and that the gear you'll be using is in good condition. Learn what you should do in the event you fall out of the raft and find yourself swimming in a rapid and that you have the proper equipment to keep you warm, your head protected and a well-fitting personal flotation device.
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Step 3
Sit on the outside tube of the raft and wedge your feet into the crease between the floor and the tube you're sitting on. Sit up straight and hold the paddle with your fingers over the top of the grip and your thumb underneath it. Hold the paddle shaft perpendicular to the water, lean forward putting the blade of the paddle completely in the water and pull the paddle toward you while at the same time you return to an upright sitting position.
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Step 4
To paddle backwards sit up straight and put the paddle blade in the water behind you. The paddle shaft will be more horizontal for this stroke than for the forward stroke. Use your hip as a fulcrum and sweep the blade forward in the water.
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Step 5
Paddle in unison with the other members of your crew. Listen for commands from your guide and have a blast!
Comments
Vanessa22 said
on 1/14/2009 My first time whitewater rafting I did a class 5 rapid. Bad idea! I haven't gone since. Afterward I found out that the river I was rafting on had "missing people" at the bottom of it. Yikes! Great article though, thank you. 5*