Whitewater rafting fun in Alberta
Photo by: Jeff Mackay (Stock Exchange)

Last time on AllCampgrounds, we got started looking at the thrilling and often challenging world of river rafting. Now that we know the basics of finding a river and a raft – and that you don’t have to bring Jean-Claude Van Damme along to safely work your way through a beginner river – it’s time to look at some basic techniques for navigating that current.

Tips and Tricks for Your First Rafting Trip

Get informed before you go: Not all campsites are right for rafting, but there are thousands of camp grounds around the U.S. and Canada that offer guided trips downriver. For your very first trip out without a guide, you definitely want to select a camp that focuses on its rafting as a main feature, even if only to find out from experienced rafters what kind of challenges you might face around the bend. In many places, you can get handy river guidebooks to study, too.

Make sure everyone is comfortable: When it comes to rafting, there’s safety in numbers, even in well-developed camp grounds. To get the most out of your trip, you’ll need at least a small crew of friends. Make sure everyone is “on the same page” and understands the river, the currents you’ll be up against, and procedures in case of emergency. We’ve all seen the cartoon where one guy on the boat is facing the wrong way – don’t let this be YOUR team on your first time out!

Always start on Class II rivers: It’s a good idea to get some professional instruction in water rescue and emergency response before moving on to Class III river rafting. Besides that, a few good trips on Class II rivers will teach you the vital skills to keep an eye out on what’s ahead and anticipate any trouble, without losing the concentration you need to keep your raft on track. There’s no stop, slow, or reverse on a raft, and even for the best, the decision-making skills take a while to cultivate.

Take things head on: It may seem counterintuitive at first, but the main thing to remember in rafting is that you can’t fight the current. If, in spite of everything, you’re going to hit an obstacle, it’s almost always better to hit it square-on. This reduces the odds that your raft is going to tear, turn, or flip over. And speaking of which, be prepared to (safely!) “abandon ship” if need be, floating downstream with the current to a safe exit point. The best way to do this is on your back, with your legs out in front of you.

River rafting on a quiet day
Photo by: alpeviolen (Stock Exchange)

Millions of people go camping around the U.S. every year, and we all have our favorite things to do outdoors. Some of the best tent camping anywhere is found on lakes and rivers, and getting out on the water can really help you enjoy camping to the fullest: just take a look at your favorite angler, getting up at dawn to find the best fishing spot, and you know what I mean!

But fishing is serene and quiet … what if you want a little more action? If you’ve never been rafting before, you might have a “Hollywood” vision of white rapids and a buff Stephen Seagal-type navigating some dangerous jungle river – but the truth is, with a little preparation, anyone can enjoy rafting at a range of skill levels. Today’s AllCampgrounds will tell you all about it.

Getting Started in River Rafting

Some of the best tent camping grounds anywhere are right on rivers, and no surprise; early nomads loved to settle down close to these excellent sources of water and fish, so their “camping” history is almost as long as their natural history. If RV parks and campgrounds are more your style, you’re still in luck: RV camps tend to be off the water, but you can always drive down there. The question is, what river do you need, and how should you prepare for your first rafting trip?

Rivers are rated from Class I to Class VI, with the Class I flows being calm, and Class VI being the stuff of Hollywood movies (well, approximately). Rafting has a reputation for danger, but Class I and Class II rivers are suitable for beginners, and plenty of family-oriented tour operators offer rafting under safe conditions. If you’re going to try it out on your own, you need two things: a raft and a crew. Of course, the size of your crew will determine the size of your raft; six people require about a 12-by-6 raft, and so on. Just like you wouldn’t go out onto the road with bad brakes or steering, the features of your raft go a long way to determining your safety and convenience.

Picking Your First Raft

Now, I’d suggest hooking up with a good rafting tour company for your first couple of excursions. It’ll help you learn whether rafting is right for you and give you starter techniques for rowing and navigation before you make the hefty investment for your own raft. You can also get a lot of good tips from experienced rafters during your trip. But sooner or later, you’ll be looking at rafts, so let’s talk about a few basic features.

Material: The most obvious feature is the material your raft is made of. The tradeoff here will usually be durability versus heft. Materials like nylon or cotton may wear out or tear in use, while synthetics and heavier materials can be heavy, hard to maneuver, and ultimately harder to repair; you may have to replace the raft completely.

Buoyancy: Buoyancy is largely determined by the size of the raft’s buoyancy tubes. Larger tubes mean better buoyancy, which can help prevent loss of control or capsizing in the water. Smaller tubes leave more room in the raft’s structure and generally translate to more responsive handling.

Safety features: Raft safety features vary considerably. No matter what the safety features of your raft, there’s some equipment you should definitely bring on every voyage: a waterproof flashlight, emergency light, safety whistle, and emergency rope. If forced to abandon your raft, these will help you get to safety as quickly as possible.

Other things to consider: Rafts can be difficult to sit and balance on without cross-tubes (called “thwarts”); these take up room, but provide more natural seating. Also consider how the raft will be packed, maneuvered to the waterfront, and inflated; a good pump is essential, and check out Army-Navy stores for suitable storage containers.