How to Learn the Basics of Whitewater Rafting - Part 2
3. Find some friends willing to go with you, preferably ones experienced in whitewater rafting. Even if the rapids you will be navigating are low grade, anything can happen on the water, so never go alone. Going in a group is also much more fun!
4. Learn about safety gear and take it with you. The correct floatation equipment may save your life. Your vest should be approved to national standards and fit you properly. Before you leave, do a few practice runs in the pool or at the beach and find out if you can move around comfortably and be relatively mobile in the event of an accident. You should be able to find a good vest at most sporting goods stores.
5. Learn and understand the Rules of Whitewater. All sports have rules and whitewater rafting is no exception. The rules may just save your life in an emergency. Learn to understand the different classes of rapids and how to differentiate between, for example, Class II and Class IV rapids.
Make sure you know what to do in the event your boat overturns. Should you swim across the current or down the current? If you can’t answer these and other questions vital to your safety, don’t go just yet. Read up on the subject or consult videos or professionals to gain an understanding of what to do when everything goes wrong.
6. Whitewater rafting requires the right equipment. Make sure you know what that is. If you are a beginner you may want to contact a tour company and let them outfit you appropriately. They will be able to advise you on everything you need, including your floatation vest.
If you can arrange it, take an experienced guide with you the first few times you go out on the water and listen to his instructions carefully. He or she will be able to judge your skills and techniques and give you pointers on how to improve them. Your guide can also give you advice on how to handle any given situation and offer safety tips.
7. Do some networking. Beginners can benefit from the advice and help of experienced, professionals. Try to find a local whitewater rafting club in your area and connect with the rafters there. They are an invaluable source of information on whitewater rafting locations in the area as well as those you should avoid. Go online and join a newsgroup or message board on the subject. Ask as many questions as possible and make friends who can accompany you on your trips into whitewater country.
8. You might want to consider getting certified in water safety or doing a formal whitewater rafting course. If you do, there a few options open to you. The vast majority of YMCA / YWCA’s and gyms with swimming pools also offer a basic water safety course or life saving class. Contact your local community or call the America Red Cross offices for advice on how to improve your safety skills in the water and help others out of trouble. If you are lucky you may never need to use them, but just think how glad you’ll be that you did, in the event of an emergency!
