Craig Elliott asked:


The vast majority of travellers who visit New Zealand come away with a memorable experience, and the vacationers who partake in water rafting are no exception. New Zealand is hailed as one of the most pristine and picturesque counties in the Pacific region, and this is clearly evident to those who go rafting through the country’s truly awe-inspireing rivers and byways.

Thousands of tourists travel to New Zealand to water raft each year. The New Zealand Rafting Association (NZRA) was established in 1996 in order to promote the sport of water rafting. The association is made up of tour guide operators and afficcionados who specialize in this thrilling sport. The code of conduct that the New Zealand Rafting Association follows is endorsed by the New Zealand government. Thanks to government support, the country is known as having one of the highest standards for safe water rafting activities. The association conducts training workshops and rescue operations as well.

Water Rafting in New Zealand: Where to go?

Even though New Zealand is a relatively small country with a population of roughly 4.1 million, the areas for water rafting are numerous. Adventuous vacationers have a choice of Rangitikei, Shotover, Upper Buller Mohaka, Motu, Gowan and several others. Tourists are rarely disappointed by the beauty of the landscape and the variety of rivers and byways. If you enjoy incredible natural scenery, New Zealand has a sparkling breathtaking environment. From the fjords and mountains in the south island, to the native forests and white sands of the north, New Zealand has diverse, pristine and beautiful natural surroundings.

In the north, you can experience the Karamea and Buller rivers while the west has the Waiho and Arnold rivers. Both rivers offer superb rafting trips.

The truly adventurous traveller can sign up with tour operators who provide guided tours of a total of eleven rivers. In just over two weeks, all eleven rivers can be travelled, some so remote that you feel there is no one else on the island besides you and your travelling companions. White water entusiasts have spoken of one place which the natives call “Chinese dogleg”. Other rafters experience blasting through a historical mining tunnel and then ending up in the rapids.

It is important to note that New Zealand has seven major regions: Auckland, Central Plateau, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson/West Coast, Canterbury, Otago/Southland. These regions have water rafting facilities and they each have magnificent rivers and breathtaking panoramic views.

Water rafting in New Zealand is truly a sublime experience. The adventure sport turned national industry has become incredibly successful, mostly due to the amount of challenging and beautiful rivers and byways. Tim Alpe says that New Zealand is country known for its rapid and free flowing rivers, and the rapids come straight from the mountains. They snake their way through thick and lush forests and pour into the sea.

Be Safe: Watch that Raft and the River!

If you are not familiar with New Zealand’s rivers, it is strongly encouraged that you not venture out on your own. Even if advances in technology have led to improvements in raft design and construction, the amateur rafter should be accompanied by a licensed tour guide. Some people who are new to the sport are not aware that the flow of the river necessitates a certain kind of raft.. Rivers are graded from class 1 to class 5, and each class requires a different kind of rafting equipment.

When you engage the services of a rafting guide in New Zealand, you are assured that he or she possesses a high degree of expertise and knowledge about safe water rafting in that particualr country. They are familiar with rivers whose flows change from one moment to the next. They know about the international river grading system and what each grade means.

Since rafting is a year-round sport in New Zealand, vacationers have plenty of flexability. Rafting is common during spring, summer and fall. There are approxamitly 50 rafting operators that are spread out across New Zealand, so, if you find yourself in one rafting spot, you are bound to find another within a few miles.

If you are travelling with a group, you need to decide on a river that is appropriate for everyone. Decide how long you and your travelling companions want to go rafting. Some raft for only one day, others an enitre weekend, or even a week or two. Also, choose which level to persue. Are you looking for an adrenalin adventure or a moderate rafting trip so you can also take in the scenery. These are imortant coices to make. Depending on your preferences, your New Zealand guide can put a package together. Some operators will offer meal stops and will add in sightseeing on land.

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June Mala asked:


If you love outdoor adventure, then river rafting must be on the top of your itinerary. There is indeed a dearth of words to explain the excitement of white water rafting unless and until a person has himself experienced it. Besides the heavenly pleasure of water rafting, you get an added advantage of having the world’s most picturesque scenery next to you. Now if you are going to go wild with the adventure of white water rafting, you should also know about the top white water rafting rivers.

Now let’s begin with the basics. River rafting is usually referred as whitewater rafting. It is an adventure sport performed typically in groups. Many groups of adventurers row down the flowing rivers in strong rubber inflatable boats along with a professional guide.

Now to serve these adventure freaks, many river rafting companies offer trips to the top white water rafting rivers. They arrange the whole adventure tour, by providing equipments that you would need there. A skilled and knowledgeable guide also accompanies you to navigate you or your group through the incredible experience of river rafting. But which white water river you need to explore for the best taste of adventure?

Many times amateur candidates wish to go white water rafting but keep worried about their basic skills and abilities to perform successfully in the rafting tour. In that case, it becomes too important for them to go through the unique white water rafting rivers’ classifications. They clearly tell/ and alert about the difficulty level of the river and the ability to do rafting in safe way.

Classifications of Rivers For White Water Rafting Tours

The white water rafting rivers are classified as per their difficulty levels. Let’s peep into the classification:

Class I: Class I rivers are meant for the beginners and the pleasure cruisers. They are the easiest ones that are quite safe for you and your family. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery without the turbulent white water rapids. The main members of Class I family are Rogue River and Oregon.

Class II: If prepared for white water, you should consider the Class II river rafting. It is considered as a fundamental level of water rafting. You can experience the thrilling rapids in Class II. The rafting tours comprise of wide rapid channels that bound the skill needed to maneuver through them safely. These rafting rivers are tranquil and have occasional ripples, waves and a few simple rapids. The three forks of the American River form a common Class II river.

Class III: The Class III white water river rafting includes intermediate level of difficulty for fighting the strong currents. You can manipulate your raft with more dangerous rapids channels. White water rafting on Class III river will get you wet. You will face the moments with peaceful combinations of turbulent rapids and eddies. At times, large boulders make way for tricky and quick navigations.

Class IV: Once you are pretty comfortable with the white water rafting basics, you are in Class IV. By now, you know how to manage your raft and it will get you some of the exciting rapids that need skills to master.

Class V: This class of rafting is an Expert Only level course. Only the avid rafters who can enjoy the challenge should go for Class V river rafting. It includes long expanses of perfidious rapids and loads of thrill. One can visit Colorado River/Grand Canyon to enjoy the class IV-V white water rafting experience.

Class VI: Only for the hard-core and experienced white water rafters. The Class VI white water rafting includes tremendously dangerous steering passages, rapids. It requires perfect skill from the whole group of rafters.

Terry Fitzroy asked:


You’ve planned out your family vacations for the year and decided to try a river rafting trip. Here are some tips for planning a fun and enjoyable river rafting trip for your family.

Planning the perfect family rafting trip involves understanding who you will be rafting with and where you are going to be rafting. You should always leave some time for adventure and excitement within the skill levels and ages of your family members. Don’t get too carried away with planning it so detailed that you have it down to the second leaving no time for some adventurous and spontaneous exploring. Instead let mother nature be your part time guide, spinning your trip into an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. River rafting gives new meaning to the phrase, “go with the flow.” That’s the type of rafting trip you want for you and your family. You want your family to have memories that be with them forever–so relax and enjoy the ride.

Of course there is plenty of planning that must go into the trip. Rafting isn’t a trip that you can just wing and hope for the best. You will want to decide where you will take your rafting trip well in advance and then you will want to book as far in advance as you can. You should evaluate your family’s level of skill river rafting. If you have young children or first-time rafters, you should stick with a shorter, less wild trip. If you’re all more experienced you may be ready for a longer trip with more of the wild and crazy rapids. It’s important that you choose a trips that offers a level of adventure that the entire family can enjoy. Too hard or too intense for younger or less-experienced members can not only risk their safety but also turn them off from the sport completely.

Find out what you are required to bring and what the rafting company will provide. Are you required to bring your own food and water or is the trip all-inclusive–with the company providing everything? What types of meals will be provided? If you have specific dietary requirements, find out if you can bring your own food, or better yet, can they accommodate your needs? What supplies are provided, and which ones need to be brought by you? Also ask about age restrictions, skill level requirements, and any other questions that might apply to your family’s circumstances.

Be sure to plan on how you will get to your rafting adventure. Depending on where you will be rafting you may have to make arrangements for transportation not only your flights but also your transportation out to the rafting site, so find out where you need to arrive for the trip. Most companies run shuttles to and from the river. Check with your tour provider for details about transportation.

Shelter is another important consideration. You might be required to bring your own tents and sleeping gear. When traveling with family, things can get bulky. You’ll want to consider purchasing one of the very new and very compact tents that take up less space and weigh very little. Be sure to have enough space in your tents for the entire family–once you start out, you’ll be subject to whatever weather mother nature throws at you. Many rafting trip providers provide tents and sleeping bags or make them available to rent.

Be sure to bring comfortable clothing. For hot summer days on the raft, a swimsuit and T-shirt is all you’ll want to wear. Sandals or water shoes can also be worn on the raft. Bring comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers for exploring on shore. If you’re expecting cooler weather, bring clothing that will keep you dry. Layering is also a good way to keep warm during your rafting trip.

Everything you bring should be packed in a waterproof bag or case. You don’t want your sleeping bag and clothes to get wet, so take every precaution to make sure your dry stuff stays dry. Even with waterproof bags, there’s a chance that things could get wet, so try not to bring anything that would be ruined if it gets wet. If you don’t absolutely need to bring it along, leave it behind just to be safe.

If you’re traveling with children, ask your river guide about activities for children. Some companies offer special games and activities for children. Most of the time you won’t need anything special to keep kids interested in the adventure. The sights and sounds of the trip down the river are enough to pique their imagination.

With proper planning, your rafting trip will be a memorable vacation that your family will remember for a lifetime. If you take time to plan a good rafting trip, you’ll be able to relax and take in all the fun times on the river with your family.

Kumari Patel asked:


Colorado is closely associated with river rafting from the very beginning. In fact, the river rafting sport was invented in Colorado only. Therefore, the term Colorado River rafting emphasizes the importance of river rafting Colorado. Undoubtedly, river rafting is one of the most popular pastimes of the people in Colorado and across the world. One can experience ultimate River Rafting in some of the greatest rivers of Colorado like Arkansas River, the Colorado River, and the Dolores River.

These rivers consist of several beautiful and famous sites including Royal Gorge and Big Horn Sheep Canyon. One of the most wonderful spot for Colorado River rafting is the Dolores River. This river is a 250-miles long tributary of the Colorado River. Running through the states of Colorado and Utah, Dolores River has Ponderosa Gorge that offers great rafting options. Dolores River is also known to be the most scenic parts of the country.

If we talk about the Colorado River then river rafting in about 1500 miles river is indeed a wonderful experience. Colorado River is known to be one of the most beautiful rivers of the world. Some of the wonderful sites present at the Colorado River include Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. One can see indefinite river rafting tours on the Colorado River.

People who have done river rafting on the Colorado River never forget their experience and remember it for the lifetime. There are many companies in Colorado and elsewhere which host Colorado River rafting tours, for the beginners or for professionals. In case you do not have any prior experience in river rafting then Colorado River rafting tour can provide you guidance regarding the rafting techniques and skills. However if you have good experience as a river rafter then you can also enhance your rafting adventure by taking a tour in Colorado. Colorado River rafting tours are generally of half-day or full-day trips, and one can find extended river rafting trips in Colorado. Some adventures last for even five days.

People love to try Colorado River rafting as this place is considered the hub of rafting sports. Every individual has his own reason behind going for river rafting.

Many people have misconceptions about river rafting that it is a difficult sport to get into. However, provided good training and guidance this sport can make you enjoy and thrilled with fun.  There are many companies that provide important and relevant information about Colorado River Rafting including www.realadventures.com.

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Kumar Gagendra asked:

River rafting tours have long been very popular vacation ideas for families, adventure lovers as well as anyone else who wants to experience the thrill and beauty of adventure tours rafting. What’s the big deal, though? Why are river rafting tours so popular? Well, you only have to experience river rafting touring one time to know why it’s such a popular vacation activity. When you’re going down that river, across rocks and rapids, and you’re experiencing nature first hand, while also working with the rest of your raft mates as you steer and maneuver the raft to its destination; there’s just nothing else like it.

The True Experience

You can’t just go on a river rafting tour with no experience and no education and expect to get the true experience. You have to be shown what to do, how to use the equipment, you need to learn the names of the equipment and how they work, and you need to learn how to be as safe as possible. That includes knowing what first aid techniques are important during a river rafting tour. How do you learn all of this? You can learn all this and more by listening to your guide when you show up to the river rafting tour.

All Included

When you sign up for a river rafting tour, you’ll be assigned a raft and a tour guide. There will usually be several others in the raft with you. The guide will go over all the equipment, will show you how to use it all and will kind of break down what the entire river rafting tour entails. All of the equipment is usually provided, including life jackets, the raft and oars as well as any safety and first aid equipment. You won’t have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself.

Working Together

The best part about river rafting tours is that you’re working with the others in your raft towards a common goal. It’s a great way to experience teamwork first hand. Make sure you listen to your guide and ask any questions if you don’t understand. Before you go on your river rafting tour, you’ll be quizzed on how to use the equipment so that there aren’t any surprises once you’re out there.

After your first time, and each additional time you go, you’ll get better at river rafting tours and someday you’ll be able to go without a guide. To get the ultimate experience, however, and to truly see why river rafting is so popular, go with a guide your first few times you go so that you get the true experience.

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Twinomugisha Charles asked:


White water rafting is high on many people’s list of things to do here in Uganda. With some lots of good rapids and a stunning river with high level its superlative.

There are some very exhilarating sections with space between to lay back and float along taking in the landscape and enjoying the nature, particularly the many species of birds to be found here.

Fish eagles cry from the clear skies overhead, giant monitor lizards bask in the equatorial sunshine and flocks of long-tailed cormorants herd schools of fish into the shallows.

The world’s longest river roars to life as the White Nile minutes after slipping quietly from Lake Victoria. It thunders between heavily forested islands and then leaps wildly into a series of spectacular drops.

The roar of the rapids drifts upstream with the gentle breeze. Wooden canoes laden with excited locals congregate in the calm waters anxious to see our rafts in action.

To the amazement of our audience, we plunge into the maelstrom and ride the mountainous waves downstream. Our rafts explode through huge walls of whitewater and drift through the warm green pools (27°C) in the equatorial sunshine.

This is white water rafting at its very best. The beauty of the Nile in Uganda is nothing short of spectacular and unknown to all but the fortunate few who have had the pleasure of standing on its banks.

‘Here I stood on the brink of the Nile … and nothing could surpass it . John Hanning Speke, 28th July, 1862 on ‘discovering’ the Victorian Source of the great river near where we start our rafting trips.

The multitude of rapids between the beautiful mid-river islands allow us to choose softer options of white water rafting for those not willing to subject themselves to certain capsize of the raft or for long solo swims through the rapids.

Expert guides are professionally trained to cater to the needs of each adventurer who joins them on the river.

One day white water rafting – 31 kms

‘Forward, left-turn, hold on.’ I reach for the rope that traverses the perimeter of the raft and grasp my paddle tightly as the river drops away beneath us.

Seconds after I fill my lungs with a healthy gulp of fresh air, a giant wall of green water is towering above us. The raft buckles as the bow explodes into whitewater and droplets of spray sparkle in the sunshine. Moments later we are under water.

Dressed lightly for a day in the sunshine the slightly cooler waters are a welcome relief. A split second later we emerge ecstatic as the raft summits a giant wave in what has become the Nile’s roller coaster.

Another trough looms ahead and I exhale an enthusiastic whoop before preparing for the next dousing.

Minutes later the raft is rocking gently in the calm pool below the legendary Big Brother rapid, no-one escaped the dunking and it is smiles and disbelief all around.

Some of us turn upstream to watch as the next raft races down the long green tongue of the rapid and accelerates toward the first towering wave. In popular paddle-rafts, each person joins as a member of a team and a professional guide captains the team.

Paddlers are instructed comprehensively on how best to enjoy themselves on the water and on all aspects of safety including the use of safety kayaks which accompany every raft trip on the water.

The highly-trained white water rafting safety kayakers are world class paddlers who adeptly pilot their tiny boats through the mountainous waves of each rapid ahead of the rafts.

When rafts flip upside down or people are washed overboard they are nearby to provide assistance in getting people back to their boats. The trip on the water begins slowly and the first few kilometres give the raft guides an opportunity to train their crews fully on all aspects of Nile rafting.

The young river dances into action at Bujagali Falls as if anxious to race to the thirsty deserts downstream and one major rapid follows swiftly after another for most of the morning.

By the time the rafts drift toward Wakisi island, a wholesome and inviting lunch is waiting eager consumers.

There is nothing quite like a morning on the Nile for whetting one’s appetite. Succulent pineapples, giant avocadoes, crisp bell peppers and tasty carrots are all organically grown in nearby villages.

Fresh bread, roasted ham, salami and juicy tomatoes all combine wonderfully well to satisfy even the most insatiable appetites from a morning of fresh air, wildwater and sunshine. After a leisurely lunch on beautiful Wakisi island, the white water rafting enter Wild waters Reserve which is a private conservation initiative started by Adrift to protect the unique flora and fauna of the mid-stream islands of the Nile.

There is more time between the rough water but the rapids on the Nile become larger and more spectacular. It makes the most spectacular video footage as riders are often thrown in the air before hitting the racing current and being swept downstream to the calm pool below.

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David Faulkner asked:


Have you heard about the adventures in Virginia white water rafting? We hear about the historical points in Virginia, but very little about white water rafting. A few great places in the area are the James River and the Flathead River; both have excellent adventures for white water rafting.

Looking around the area, you have areas for the beginner or the experienced white water rafting enthusiasts. Some areas even have somewhat calmer waters for the relaxing float down the river. Virginia white water rafting adventures reach the Blue Ridge Mountains down to the Piedmont region for so many different adventures.

One of the most popular areas remains the James River and people make reservations well ahead of time. If you need to have the ultimate experience, the James River white water rafting trip is for you. The rapids are fast and the waters are fierce, but you will surely experience a great and magnificent adventure. The James River is over seven miles long with some class II and class IV rapids for the adventurous white water rafters to enjoy. Virginia white water rafting adventures need to be experienced by anyone who wants memories of a lifetime.

With the mountains and the gorges, some people often forget about the adventures in white water rafting in the area. If you are looking for some class I or class IV rapids, you might consider the western area or some try the central areas in Virginia. If you are a beginner, you will want to try a class I rapids, which offers the newbie wanting to try the Virginia white water rafting adventure. The rapids for those starting out should be smoother for the beginner than some of the class II rapids that offer a rougher ride.

Virginia white water rafting is for beginners and experts, but the type of rapids may play an important part in your experience. If you want adventure and excitement, you can start out on a class I and work your way up to the thrashing class IV rapids. Once you know what to do and how to do it, white water rafting will be your hobby for a long time. You will spend your free time looking for the ultimate rapids that you have yet to explore. For more info see http://www.whitewaterraftingtripsguide.com/White_Water_Rafting_In_North_Carolina on White Water Rafting In North Carolina.

You will never have an experience like the Virginia white water rafting experience anywhere else but Virginia. If you need some location details, look on the internet for some great information and some awesome pictures. You need to know some safety guidelines and what gear you will need for the rapids before you go on your adventure.

Although the inflatable kayaks are great, there is also the hard shell kayak that people use for white water rafting as well. Some people use a raft to float down the river towards the rushing rapids and this type of river raft requires a great deal of experience before trying. You can always have fun with white water rafting boats no matter which one you choose to experience your voyage in down the river.

Brian Link asked:

r rafting is a great activity that has become more common around the world since the 1970s. Since then, we have developed an expertise in the sport, and there is now better quality equipment available to use. Because of this, a river that has been known to swallow whole an expedition in the past is now safe enough for people to take their rafting trips down hundreds of times each year. There are also outfitters, which are rafting operators, who will be your guides for the trip. These outfitters have legislated safety requirements to go by, and they vary depending on the area you are rafting in. However, all off the requirements are closely the same to ensure that everyone is safe. You should talk with your raft operator about all of the safety guidelines and the classifications of the rapids before you decide to sign up for the trip.

There are six different whitewater classifications that range from easy to nearly impossible. Class one is, obviously, the easiest. It has no obstacles, only small ripples, and a slow current. Class two is considered moderately difficult with occasional obstacles and a medium current with waves. Classes one and two are ideal for younger and inexperienced people to run on. Class three is difficult with longer rapids and strong currents that are irregular, and class four is very difficult, longer with numerous waves, and has steeper drops. These two classes, three and four, are considered okay for more experienced groups to take. Class five is extremely difficult, has very big drops, is very swift, and heavily obstructed with obstacles, which is considered an amateur class. Then there is class six. This class is nearly impossible and extremely dangerous. It should only be run by expert teams, with all precautions taken and close studies completed.

Maine has three rivers that are usually used for whitewater rafting. These are the Kennebec River, Penobscot River, and the Dead River. Each one of the these rivers are different and unique in their own way, but you are sure to get the thrill and excitement that you seek for your adventure on at least one of these rivers. The Kennebec River has a twelve mile trip that begins on Indian Pond at Harris Station. It then flows through the Kennebec Gorge, which ends at The Forks. This twelve mile trip can be classified anywhere between a class two and a class four, because in sections of the river there are all of the traits that these classifications have. Next, is the Penobscot River, and this river has a fourteen mile long trip. For the first two miles, it descends from McKay Station through Ripogenus Gorge. The other twelve miles of rapids will take you on a journey that will end near Pockwockamus Falls. This river has all the traits of a class three to class four rapids. Last, but not least, is the Dead River, which has the longest stretch of continuous rapids at sixteen miles. Your trip will begin at Grand Falls and will end at The Forks. The Dead River has a classification of classes four and five and should only be run by experienced whitewater rafters.

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éneri asked:

I’m going to go to a whitewater rafting guide school soon, so I want to be prepared with all the equipment I need; however, I am unfamiliar with the whitewater helmet manufacturers/ companies. I’m looking for the best quality for the price. I do hold quality over price in the long run though. Thanks for any help!

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expertvillage asked:

In this free whitewater rafting safetyvideo lesson an expert will discuss the best way to organize a trip and pick your group of rafters. Expert: Kevin McMillan Contact: www.kayaklesson.com Bio: Kevin McMillan has been with Zoar Outdoor since 1992, as an experiential educator & technical specialist with corporate programs. He is ACA certified in river rescue & whitewater kayaking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

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