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.
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! 
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
dstar60 asked:
White water rafting on the Gauley river in West Virginia. Rated 7 in the world, this river is crazy! One of the “must do” before you die things. www.aceraft.com
George Hill asked:
Everyone knows that whitewater rafting trips are very adventurous and exciting. However, they can be even more exciting if you plan to go out with the entire family. Family whitewater rafting trips are a terrific opportunity to spend some good time with the entire family. All of us are too busy in our daily lives to spare time for each other but a family vacation can re-strengthen the same love and trust once again.
Planning a perfect family trip involves meticulous and foolproof planning. However, you should plan in a way that your trip involves an element of adventure and spontaneous exploring. Let Mother Nature be your part time guide so that your trip turns into an unforgettable affair for the entire family.
Decide about the trip in advance and make reservations accordingly. 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 is important to select adventures which the entire family can enjoy. Talk to your travel agent or any rafting company and detail them about your requirements and expectations.
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.
Clothing is the next important thing that should be considered. 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. If you are expecting to face cooler weather, bring clothing that will keep you dry.
With proper planning, your rafting trip will be a memorable vacation that your family will remember for a lifetime.
AVA Colorado Rafting asked:
Plan your Arkansas River, Colorado rafting vacation for an adventure of a lifetime. You can choose from several Colorado rafting tours starting with a tame Salida West whitewater river trip which is perfect for people with small children to the rafting exploration which will test your stamina and rafting trips which are pleasure for all. The rafting season typically starts in the early part of May and goes on till the end of August, and you can take pleasure in Arkansas River Colorado whitewater tours every single day.
Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the most sought-after whitewater rafting destinations where the Arkansas River falls almost five thousand feet in the initial section of the course. The delight of implacable rapids, magnificent panorama of the Mountains and the local flora and fauna makes white water rafting on the Arkansas River, Colorado an exploration not worth missing.
There are several white water rafting trips Arkansas River, Colorado which consider your enjoyment and protection as their main priority. They use superior quality equipment and make sure that they are maintained in exceptional condition.
Arkansas River flows around ninety miles west of Colorado Springs past Buena Vista, Salida and the section which is suitable for rafting terminates at Canon City Colorado. River rafting can be done in the most eye-catching ambience. There is be no better place where you can fulfill your dream of a thrilling and awesome outdoor adventure.
There is an option of lodging as well as camping in this region. You can stay here the night , enjoy a white river rafting trip, come back and relax after your unbelievable Arkansas River rafting excursion.
A lot of work is being done by several institutions to make sure that our children also get the opportunity to experience the delight of the classic Arkansas River Colorado vacation.
Brian Link asked:
Whitewater rafting is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. You can even share this experience with your close friends. Rafting is most commonly done on whitewater rivers and other types of rough bodies of water so that you, your family, and your friends get to feel all of the thrill and excitement that you expect. Doing this sport became considered a recreational activity in the mid 1970s. Since then, it has become more common for people to take part in this sport, and it has changed much since then.
In Maine, whitewater rafting is considered an experience that will stick with you for a very long time. This adventure, however, used to mean that you had to camp out in the wide outdoors. This made it a great experience, because there is nothing like sitting with the people you care about the most around a campfire, talking through all hours of the night. However, not everyone was interested in that particular part of the adventure. So now, in this day, you are given the choice to camp out or stay in a lodge, private home, or cabin. Although it may not seem like you are getting the whole benefit of the experience to some people, others beg to differ and will agree that the adventure is just as much fun without the camping.
Even though there are things that have changed, there is still one thing that will always remain unchanged, no matter how you decide to slice it. The thrill and excitement will always be as extreme as when it was in the 1970s when people first started rafting as a leisure sport. Your day will begin when you leave from the shuttle that takes you to the beginning of the river. Your guide will go over all of the basics of your day, and they will review anything that you will need to know about whitewater rafting, the language and commands, and of course, the safety. Then you will get into the raft where you will begin the adventure of your life. At times you will get to drift along the river while you enjoy all of the serene nature and wildlife of your surroundings. You may even be able to see a bald eagle flying above in the sky. Then all of sudden, you will come upon the rough waters of the river, and you will find yourself paddling through the rapids. You are guaranteed that you will not be thinking of any of the things that are your long to-do list at home anymore. Everyone deserves this once in a lifetime experience of the serene and peaceful moments of the river and the heart pounding excitement of the crashing rapids.
There are many whitewater outfitters in Maine that offer trips on three of the main rivers. These are the Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead Rivers. In the Northeast, Maine is the only location that you will find that, even during the driest parts of the season, will guarantee good water levels in the rivers. This is all thanks to the daily hydropower dams. The beginning of rafting season is on May 1st and keeps going through until the middle of October. So if you are thinking of taking a trip to go whitewater rafting, do not think about it any longer. Make your trip arrangements now, and don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime thrilling experience.
Michael Sand asked:
Would like to go whitewater rafting while the weather is still warm. Are there good places in NJ, or will I have to go out to PA?
Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting asked:
Rivers thumps lifeblood in the western United States as in spring the water flows down the snow capped peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountain high country. The rivers get swollen and are filled with fresh life. This yearly phenomenon is valued by the people and you’ll find at least one tour, in every town and hamlet along the river.
Breckenridge is one of the earliest and biggest communities in Summit County. There is an assortment of amazing activities all through the year but the most exciting is the Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting in the summer months. It is nestled in the Blue River Valley sandwiched between the serrated peaks of the Ten and the Baldy Mountains.
You will be able to hire the most committed as well as skilled and enthusiastic outdoor professionals who will guide you through the thrilling Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting tours which awaits you. This is one adventure which you will take a long time to forget.
The tours conductors offer you top quality outdoor adventure packages in the Rocky Mountain expanse with the best service as well as the best available gear. You can have a relaxed as well as a thrilling adventure Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting vacation in the guidance of unmatched experts on white water rafting.
You may wonder if Breckenridge Whitewater rafting is dangerous. Even though no two tours down the river are similar, you can find well qualified guides who will help you navigating the turbulent rapids safely. You won’t to worry about your safety. In fact Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting is not only exciting but can even be educational especially for children are they learn about the flora and fauna of Colorado.
Colorado is surely one of the best places for Breckenridge white water rafting. You also have several options when you plan a Breckenridge rafting adventure. Skill levels, style, topography as well as the strength of rapids must be taken into account when you go for Breckenridge white water rafting.
crow76@verizon.net asked:
My father in law and I are debating which river is tougher to do whitewater rafting on. I took a trip on the Penobscot River a few years back, basically because some old friends had stated it was the toughest river around. My father in law has done the dead river and states it is the hardest.