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Recreational outdoor activity

Rafting in Ladakh, IndiaRafting in Alaska

Rafting on the Tara river, Bosnia

Rafting and whitewater rafting are recreational outdoor activities 🎅 which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water.

This is often done on whitewater or 🎅 different degrees of rough water.

Dealing with risk is often a part of the experience.[1]

This activity as an adventure sport has 🎅 become popular since the 1950s, if not earlier, evolving from individuals paddling 10 feet (3.0 m) to 14 feet (4.

3 🎅 m) rafts with double-bladed paddles or oars to multi-person rafts propelled by single-bladed paddles and steered by a person at 🎅 the stern, or by the use of oars.[2]

Rafting on certain sections of rivers is considered an extreme sport and can 🎅 be fatal, while other sections are not so extreme or difficult.

Rafting is also a competitive sport practiced around the world 🎅 which culminates in a world rafting championship event between the participating nations.

The International Rafting Federation, often referred to as the 🎅 IRF, is the worldwide body which oversees all aspects of the sport.

[3]Equipment [ edit ]

Rafting equipment has continuously evolved and 🎅 developed significantly from old rubber WW II era military surplus rafts.

Modern whitewater rafts are typically made with advanced nylon or 🎅 Kevlar infused plastics like PVC or urethane; though many of the more entry-level low-cost manufacturers still use a glued rubber.

Plastic 🎅 is generally more durable, longer-lasting, and just as easy to repair compared to older rubber rafts.[4]

Paddles and oars are the 🎅 typical means of propulsion for rafts and come in many sizes and varieties with specific river conditions in mind.

Paddles [ 🎅 edit ]

Paddles are a combination of layered wood, plastic, aluminium, carbon fiber, or other advanced composites.

There are many types and 🎅 combinations of these materials with lower-end entry-level paddles being composed of cheap aluminum and plastic.

Higher-end models are constructed of high-end 🎅 composites and mostly utilized by professional rafting guides, raft racers, and expedition paddlers.[5]

The basic paddle design for rafting consists of 🎅 3 parts:Single bladeShaftT-grip

Paddles are typically utilized by rafters in smaller and lower volume rivers where rocks and other hazards can 🎅 damage larger oars.

Paddles are typically used by guests on commercial trips as well since it is seen as a more 🎅 engaging way to enjoy the river trip.

When paddles are used in a raft it is referred to as "paddling" or 🎅 "paddle guiding".[6]Oars [ edit ]

Oars are commonly made from the same materials as paddles.

Wood, plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber.

Oars are 🎅 designed for several different rivers with slightly different blade shapes built to handle varying river conditions.

Wooden oars are typically built 🎅 as one solid piece to help retain strength and resilience of the oar while it is strained under a load.

Composite 🎅 or metallic oars typically are made in three parts:BladeShaftGrip

All of these parts are interchangeable and can be upgraded and altered 🎅 in many ways to make rowing more enjoyable.

[7] Oars are generally used on wider flatter rivers of higher volume to 🎅 facilitate moving more efficiently across long slow-moving pools, though anglers will often use shorter oars on smaller rafts in low 🎅 volume rivers to help them maintain an advantageous upstream position while anglers cast from the raft.

When a raft utilizes oars 🎅 it is called "rowing" though many people typically incorrectly refer to this as "oaring" or "oar framing", however, these terms 🎅 are incorrect and often suggest inexperience when used in conversation with members of the rafting community.

Oars typically use one of 🎅 2 systems to attach to the boat, but in either case, they interface with the boat through a large metallic 🎅 frame strapped to the boat called an "oar frame".

Oars connect to the frame by either a pin and clip system 🎅 or a system called oarlocks.

Either system connects to the frame via oar towers on either side of the frame.

Pins and 🎅 clips [ edit ]

Pins are referred to as "thole pins" or "oar pins".

A large metal clip attaches to the oar 🎅 and clips onto the pin.

The top of the pin has a rubber or plastic stopper that prevents the oar from 🎅 slipping over the top of the pin.

The bottom of the pin connects to an oar tower designed to hold the 🎅 pin in place.

This system is an older system though it is useful for certain types of river running namely big, 🎅 dangerous Class 5 rivers that require your oars to stay in place as much as possible.

Oarlocks [ edit ]

Oarlocks or 🎅 locks are a more common form of attachment for oars as they allow the rower to "feather" the oar back 🎅 and forth as they row making it easier on the person using the oars to continue downstream.

Oarlocks look like a 🎅 pin topped with a U-shaped metal flange.

The oars slide into the gap between the U-shaped metal pieces and can be 🎅 held in place with a plastic stopper called an oarlock.

The oarlock allows the oar to maintain its position on the 🎅 oar at a correct length for rowing.

History [ edit ]

Whitewater rafting can be traced back to 1811 when the first 🎅 recorded attempt to navigate the Snake River in Wyoming was planned.

With no training, experience, or proper equipment, the river was 🎅 found to be too difficult and dangerous.

Hence, it was given the nickname "Mad River".

On June 9, 1940, Clyde Smith led 🎅 a successful trip through the Snake River Canyon.[8]

Classes of white water [ edit ]

Rafting on the Neitikoski Rapids in Lieksa, 🎅 North Karelia, Finland

Otherwise known as the International Scale of River Difficulty, below are the six grades of difficulty in white 🎅 water rafting.

They range from simple to very dangerous and potential death or serious injuries.

Class 1: Very small rough areas, might 🎅 require slight maneuvering.

(Skill level: Very basic)

Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering.

(Skill level: Basic paddling 🎅 skill)

Class 3: Small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger.

May require significant maneuvering.

(Skill level: Some experience in rafting)

Class 🎅 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed.

(Skill level: Exceptional rafting experience)

Class 5: 🎅 Whitewater, large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering.

(Skill level: 🎅 Full mastery of rafting)

Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous that they are effectively unnavigable on 🎅 a reliably safe basis.

Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that 🎅 will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment.

Traversing a Class 6 rapid 🎅 has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes.

(Skill level: Full mastery of 🎅 rafting, and even then it may not be safe)[9]Safety [ edit ]

Wetsuits, additional personal flotation devices (aka lifejackets) and sport 🎅 helmets are mandatory and often imposed by law at least on tours of commercial operators, due to the constant risk 🎅 of falling off the boat

The overall risk level on a rafting trip using proper precautions is low.

[10] Thousands of people 🎅 safely enjoy rafting trips every year.

Like most outdoor sports, rafting, in general, has become safer over the years.

Expertise in the 🎅 sport has increased, and equipment has become more specialized and improved in quality.

As a result, the difficulty rating of most 🎅 river runs has changed.

A classic example is the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, which historically had a reputation far 🎅 exceeding its actual safety statistics.

Today the Grand Canyon sees hundreds of safe rafting trips by both do it yourself rafters 🎅 and commercial river concessionaires.[10]

Rafting companies generally require customers to sign waiver forms indicating understanding and acceptance of potential serious risks.

Both 🎅 do-it-yourself and commercial rafting trips often begin with safety presentations to educate rafting participants about problems that may arise.

Depending on 🎅 the area, safety regulations covering rafting, both for the general do-it-yourself public as well as commercial operators, may exist in 🎅 legislation.

These range from the mandatory wearing of lifejackets, carrying certain equipment such as whistles and throwable flotation devices, to certification 🎅 of commercial outfitters and their employees.

It is generally advisable to discuss safety measures with a commercial rafting operator before signing 🎅 on for that type of trip.

The required equipment needed is essential information to be considered.

Risks in white water rafting stem 🎅 from both environmental dangers and from improper behavior.

Certain features on rivers are inherently unsafe and have remained consistently so.

These would 🎅 include 'keeper hydraulics', 'strainers' (e.g.

fallen trees), dams (especially low-head dams, which tend to produce river-wide keeper hydraulics), undercut rocks, and 🎅 of course dangerously high waterfalls.

Even in safe areas, moving water can always present risks-such as when a swimmer attempts to 🎅 stand up on a rocky riverbed in strong current, risking foot entrapment.

Irresponsible behavior related to rafting while intoxicated has also 🎅 contributed to many accidents.[11]

Typical rafting injuries include trauma from striking an object, traumatic stress from the interaction of the paddler's 🎅 positioning and equipment and the force of the water, overuse injuries, submersion/environmental injuries, and non-environmental injuries due to undisclosed medical 🎅 conditions (such as heart problems).

[12] Studies have shown that injury rates in rafting are relatively low,[13] though they may be 🎅 skewed due to a large number of unreported incidents.

[14] Fatalities are rare in both commercial and do-it-yourself rafting.

[12] Meta-analyses have 🎅 calculated that fatalities ranged between 0.55[15] - 0.

86[16] per 100,000 user days.

Environmental issues [ edit ]

Rafting in Montenegro

Like all outdoor 🎅 activities, rafting must balance its use of nature with the conservation of rivers as a natural resource and habitat.

Because of 🎅 these issues, some rivers now have regulations restricting the annual seasons and daily operating times or numbers of rafters.

Conflicts have 🎅 arisen when commercial rafting operators, often in co-operation with municipalities and tourism associations, alter the riverbed by dredging and/or blasting 🎅 in order to eliminate safety hazards or create more interesting whitewater features in the river.

Environmentalists argue that this may have 🎅 negative impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems, while proponents claim these measures are usually only temporary since a riverbed is 🎅 naturally subject to permanent changes during large floods and other events.

Another conflict involves the distribution of scarce river permits to 🎅 either the do-it-yourself public or commercial rafting companies.[17]

Rafting by do-it-yourself rafters and commercial rafting companies contributes to the economy of 🎅 many regions which in turn may contribute to the protection of rivers from hydroelectric power generation, diversion for irrigation, and 🎅 other development.

Additionally, white water rafting trips can promote environmentalism.

Multi-day rafting trips by do-it-yourself rafters and commercial rafting companies through the 🎅 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System have the potential to develop environmental stewardship and general environmental behavior.

Studies suggest that environmental 🎅 efficacy increases when there is an increase in the length of the trip, daily immersion, and the amount of resource 🎅 education by trip participants.

[18]See also [ edit ]

vocational rehabilitation success stories.