Attention: adventure junkies in the making Here is one experience that one can’t bear to miss out on! River Rafting: a perfect combination of a little risk and crazy fun.
Want to feel the adrenaline pumping up as you sweat it out paddling past the raging rapids and the resounding river rewards you with fresh water splashes on your face? Yes? Rafting is the sport for you!
Eye of the rapid (Source)
What is River Rafting?
It is a water sport replete with adventure and fun but is risky and requires ample safety measure in place. Navigating a river in an inflatable raft involves challenges. The level of difficulty is marked by ‘grades’ of a rapid. Grade 1 being the smoothest (read: refreshing ride in a water park smooth) and Grade 6 being the roughest (read: raft- flipping, where-are-my-shorts/ where-am-I rough).
River Rafting In India (source)
No! it’s not the same as boating!
Here are some special features of River Rafting In India:
What is seemingly “white water” are actually rapids, which are formed by the river becoming shallower thereby exposing some rocks. Rafts are durable inflatable boats made of multi-layered synthetic rubber or PVC. They measure approximately 3.5m-6m in length, and 1.8m-2.5m in width. Rafts are designed in a way that they have around 6 air chambers such that they don’t easily go down.
What’s the scene of river rafting in India?
From the picturesque landscape in Ladakh to the wonderful sand beaches in Rishikesh, India has emerged as the ultimate destination for rafters as the country is home to a myriad of rivers such as the Ganges (Rishikesh), Zanskar (Ladakh), Beas (Manali) , Teesta (Sikkim) and many more gushing through her. Organizations such as Trek n Raft, I Hate Cities, Snow Leopard Adventures, among many others, are dedicated towards quenching your thirst for adventure.
India’s hub for rafting: Rishikesh (Source)
The adventure sport is becoming increasingly popular perhaps because those with no prior experience can go rafting and ‘the more, the merrier’ rule applies to it. There is something exciting for one and all. Family trips, hang out with friends, corporate team building exercises- find your own reason to go rafting!
“I don’t know how to swim, Can I still go for rafting”, you ask? The answer is a big YES! You can enjoy rafting as long as you have your life jacket on. Although, non-swimmers should avoid body- surfing (body surfing: jumping off the raft into a rapid stretch).
Do your pre-rafting trip homework well!
Take a look at some points you might want to check beforehand: It is important to ensure that you go through a professional organization that is geared up with sufficient safety equipment and trained staff who know the river thoroughly. Here are some things you should find out about the organization:
1. Take opinions about the company from people who have been through them recently.
2. Talk to the guides and check if they are able to answer your queries and have done their homework on the safety measures that must be taken and rescue basics like first aid, CPR, etc.
3. Is the life jacket torn, the helmet damaged? Don’t ignore the quality of the equipment. The life jacket is of prime importance and should be well-fastened. The buoyancy of the jacket should ideally be 10kg (minimum: 6kg). It is also known as the personal floatation device because well, that is what keeps you afloat!
4. Is the raft well-equipped, containing repair material, glue, sandpaper and waterproof repair tape. Oar rafts must carry at least one spare oar and spare oarlock. All rafts must have a safety line going all around the raft, a bow-line and preferably a stern-line as well. All rafts must have a throw rope bag.
5. Do ensure that a safety kayak accompanies you.
Kayak to the rescue (Source)
6. Bring one, bring all! River Rafting is best enjoyed with a large group. Typically, a raft can seat 6-8 people. So, go on, get hold of some adventure seekers!
The more, the merrier (Source)
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to ask them in the comments section below.
Or are you a pro? Do add any points that could help. Keep rafting! And “Go FORWARD”!!
If you like this you’ll surely love this amusing and informative take on rafting by the author:
10 commandments for rafters (especially, first timers)
About Surabhi Srivastava
It seems as though I've got a Bachelors in adventure, travel and food expertise; Masters in sarcasm; Doctorate in being a connoisseur of arts. I explore. Iobserve. I analyze. I dream. I express.
