11 Fun White Water Rafting Facts For Adventure Sports Lovers!

The first-ever white water river rafting trip was held on the Snake River, but it was only to check how rafting would work and didn't go as planned, so the river was nicknamed the 'Mad River'!

The first-ever rubber raft in the world was invented in the early 1840s when Lt. John Fremont wanted to conduct a survey of the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, so he used the help of inventor Horace H. Day.

The two came together and constructed a primitive raft completely out of a wraparound floor and four rubber cloth tubes.

This rubber river raft made its first voyage across the Platte River in 1842 when John Fremont and Day traveled across the river.

White water rafting is a form of river rafting where you take a raft on whitewater. Whitewater refers to a form of river water that has fast currents and shallow stretches of water.

These shallow stretches are called 'rapids'. Initial attempts at white water rafting trips were made because of exploration and military needs in order to cross dangerous rivers.

Today, white water rafting is an extremely popular sport that is adored by many, brings in tourists and families, and brings in loads of money each rafting season.

Guided commercial rafting trips became popular only in the '80s, 130 years after the invention of the first rubber raft, and the whitewater challengers were the first outfitters that went on the Lehigh River, which is located in Pennsylvania.

In 1956, John D. Rockfeller, Jr. built a resort at Grand Teton National Park, and war surplus rafts were used by guests at the resort, introducing river float trips! White water rafting is only possible in rivers with appropriate river rapids.

In 1959, the American Whitewater Association gave out an international scale of river difficulty. The scale explained six classes that compare and rank rapids in difficulty.

Class I is the easiest to navigate, while class VI is the hardest, and rafters shouldn't attempt it unless professional assistance is provided.

In general, Class I is easy, Class II is medium, Class III is difficult, Class IV is very difficult, Class V is extremely difficult, and finally, Class VI is non-raftable. It is best to avoid Class VI rapids as the chances of survival are pretty slim.

White water rafting became even more popular as certain white-water sports like whitewater kayaking and whitewater canoeing were introduced to the Olympic Games held in 1972 in Munich. After this, in the 1996 Olympic Games, the Ocoee River hosted some white-water events.

The introduction of this brought a huge crowd to the Ocoee River to witness the events. Then, during the 2012 Olympics that were held in London, whitewater rafting grabbed the spotlight, and visitors found it to be extremely exciting!

With various inventions in the world of technology, modern white-water rafting has new equipment coming out that has made the impossible possible! Previously, when people tried river rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, the river would often turn into a speedy expedition, leaving boats in bits and pieces.

Of late, with the help of rafting guides, you and your family can now experience and enjoy a fun yet memorable white-water adventure!

There are some things to keep in mind when you go on a white-water rafting trip. Always wear comfortable and light clothes when you go rafting, preferably swimwear.

You can wear goggles, synthetic shirts, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the heat of the sun. Avoid cotton clothing because cotton clothing gets very cold if it becomes wet.

Keep an extra set of dry clothes, socks, and shoes. You can wear athletic shoes or waterproof shoes when you go on a water rafting trip.

If you fall out while rafting, do not panic. Grab onto the side of the raft as quickly as you can, and if a safety rope hangs from the side of the raft, grab onto it.

White Water Rafting Meaning

Traveling down river rapids in a rubber boat can be quite intimidating and scary, but with proper professional assistance, it can be quite an experience! White water rafting is a popular water-based activity or sport that is an extremely fun and thrilling adventure for family, friends, and tourists!

White water rafting, to be precise, is a sport or a recreational activity that involves an inflatable raft carrying four to six people with professional raft guides on it down white water or river rapids. It is called whitewater rafting because the raft is taken down the stretches of rivers or rapids.

Whitewater results from the slight turbulence created by fast-flowing currents in the water.

There are some important things to keep in mind when you go whitewater rafting with friends or family. Although this activity can be very thrilling, things can go sideways too, and as there has been an increase in the popularity of the sport, injuries caused by it have also seen a rise.

More injuries have been seen in private white water rafting trips than in commercially provided rafting trips. This is because white water rafting trips that have been provided by commercial companies and groups provide you with the best safety equipment compared to those that are provided by private companies.

Furthermore, with the commercially provided trips, you get a proper, well-educated guide who comes along with you and will be able to work through the water conditions on that day. This is not always the case on a private trip.

How To Do White Water Rafting

As fun as whitewater rafting can be, it still holds a certain element of risk to it. If this is your first time ever white water rafting, no worries! Here's what you must know beforehand.

Learn about the crucial details of the sport, like the classes of river rapids, and know your physical limitations too. As a beginner, do not go to any other classes except Class I and be aware of what you can and cannot do.

Since this is a water-based activity, it is always best to know or learn a little swimming just in case things take a wrong turn.

Learn about the different classifications of river rapids, as this will help you greatly when deciding which river to go on. You can choose your class according to your physical strength.

Places Famous For White Water Rafting

Certain or specific locations can provide visitors and tourists with unique and quality experiences. The Colorado River in the United States is known to be a popular destination for white water rafting.

It also passes through the iconic Grand Canyon.

Another location is Ecuador's Rio Upano, which passes through a series of narrow canyons and also gives you a spectacular view of some waterfalls. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the United States is another well-known waterway where you can enjoy some amazing scenery as you travel through the river rapids.

Last but not least, is the Magpie River in the province of Eastern Quebec.

These river rapids pass through pine forests that have not been touched by man, and you'll be rewarded with a scenic view. If you decide to stay in the area at night, you might get lucky and catch the event of the Northern Lights!

Things To Take Care Of While Doing White Water Rafting

Safety is something that must be followed at all times when you go white water rafting. Choose a professionally provided commercial trip that comes with a well-educated guide rather than a private one.

When you are on a raft, always wear a floatation device or a life jacket. Make sure that it is fitted tightly and is snug against your body, without any loose ends. If you feel your jacket loosening, ask your rafting guide to tighten it.

No matter the class of river rapid you go for, there is always safety gear and a helmet too. Wear the protective equipment that you are supposed to.

Wear appropriate clothes that make you comfortable yet keep you safe on the day of the event. Avoid wearing clothes made of heavy materials or even cotton, as these materials can weigh you down if you fall into the water.

Rather, it is always best to wear some light swimwear. If it's a hot day, wear your sunscreen and your goggles to avoid sunburns.

If you are a beginner or if it's your first-time white-water rafting, learn the sport in detail.

Know how to hold the paddle properly and push to avoid clumsiness. It is also best to know a little about swimming before you go whitewater rafting, as this can help you in case you fall into the water.

Try to balance yourself in the boat and pay attention to the details that your guide provides. Following these simple yet basic precautions can help you have an amazing whitewater rafting experience that you might never forget!