Rafting An Awesome Summer Vacation

By Christopher Pyle

You just got invited on a whitewater rafting trip. Great! Now what...?

You might be feeling nervous, and the questions are racing through your mind: Am I old enough? Am I young enough? Am I fit enough? Do I have the right gear? Will I be going down *gulp* WATERFALLS?

Do not worry - these questions go through everyone's mind. You will do great. The South Fork of the American River rafts over 65,000 individuals of all ages and abilities every SEASON. Whitewater rafting is a great addition to any vacation. if you have the opportunity to go, it is good to be cautious, but don't let your fear get in the way of this amazing adventure experience.

Follow these fourteen easy tips, and enjoy a fantastic vacation:

1. RELAX, and let the guides do the navigating! You are with professionals who know how to read the river and keep you safe, while providing a fantastic experience.

2. Go with a "can-do" attitude. It is perfectly normal to be nervous, as this is a new experience, but don't be "that guy" who complains the whole time. Just take a deep breath, and take it all in.

3. Rafting, like the rest of the world, has different seasons. What you WEAR depends on the season:

SPRING rafting tends to be cooler. You should definitely consult with the company you are rafting with, but a thin wetsuit may be appropriate. More commonly, wetsuit booties or wool socks with your STRAP-on sandals or old tennis shoes (more on footware below), shorts, a wool sweater, a splash jacket or dry top, and even possibly wool cap are all appropriate choices for cool-weather rafting.

SUMMER rafting is a bit warmer. Strap-on sandals or old tennis shoes are recommended, and shorts are a must. You can wear a bathing suit but trunks/shorts are recommended as you are sitting on rubber and bathing suits tend to get...ahem...moved. Other clothing necessities include a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Some companies wear helmets, in which case you may or may not be able to wear a hat while rafting.

4. Regardless of the season, or what you think your needs are, wear SUNSCREEN! All-natural or biodegradable sunscreen is the most environmentally-friendly if you are embarking on any kind of water sport. Be sure to avoid PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4- methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben, if you want to have the lowest possible impact on the environment.

5. Bring appropriate shoes! Shoes on the river must strap to your feet (those foam straps on the back of Crocs do not count!) Some good bets for shoe brands include Keen, Chaco and Teva. You can also wear water booties with a sole, or old tennis shoes. While no outfitter plans for you to go for a swim, it is good to have proper footwear in case you do go for an unexpected dip.

6. TRUST your gear. The personal floatation devices (PFDs) used in rafting are top-of-the-line, and are almost always Class V Coast Guard-approved. And of course, the rafts are high-quality and durable as well, as they adhere to industry standards and are designed specifically to carry you down moving rivers.

7. COMMIT fully to the experience. If you are offered the opportunity to swim a rapid, do it! This is an incredible place to be, so take advantage of everything it has to offer. The last thing you want is to walk away from your experience regretting that you did not engage in the opportunity to the fullest.

8. It's also important to be aware of what NOT to do. Obviously, drugs and alcohol are off-limits on rafting trips. Suntan oil is bad news too - the slip factor, when combined with rubber, often results in unnecessary swimming! And believe it or not, you don't even need to bring a towel to the river, as it will just get drenched. Leave it in the car, and you will appreciate it at the end of the day!

9. With over 33 rafting companies on the South Fork of the American River ALONE, there are plenty of options to choose from. Prices tend not to vary by more than $10 from one company to the next, but each one offers a slightly different vibe and energy. Bottom line? Go with the company that makes you feel the most comfortable.

10. No, waterfalls are NOT a typical rafting obstacle! You may have a dropoff here or there, but nothing that is actually a waterfall. Remember, the boats are made to do what you are doing.

11. Yes, chances are, you are FIT enough. This is not an olympic paddle crew timed trial. You will be pulling your weight, along with five or six other people.

12. Your trip will be GUIDED by a professional. You will have a trained, competent guide steering the raft and telling you what to do. Just be sure to listen!

13. Age CAN be a factor, so check with the company with whom you are rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.

14. Finally, do not disqualify yourself based on unfounded PRECONCEPTIONS. Chances are, you are going to love this adventure. We have sent young children down the river along with their grandparents without a hitch. You CAN do this!

Article Source: http://interpret.zar.vg

About The Author
As the leading supplier of outdoor tours of the South Fork of the American River, Action Whitewater Adventures (AWA), is your primary resource for everything rafting. Family-owned and family-run, they also offer outdoor education programs through their sister company, Nature's-Classroom.