White water Rafting is an extreme outdoor activity that requires serious outdoor experience and skill. You will not be able to rafter if you have never seen a river or lake before. White water rafting is usually classified as a scenic canoe tour where you are guided through a rapids section of water, followed by a scenic slow ride through the next section of water and on to the next tour.
This tour varies in difficulty from class I-III, depending on the level of rapids. Most tours have at least one class I-III raft due to the required knowledge and skill for each section. On some tours, such as The River Guide in California, there is no difference between an I-III and an IV-V spread out with no change in cost or equipment needed.
This article will discuss some general white water rafting gear list that may be useful for any experienced white water rafter.
Contents:
PFD
A raft’s protection from rapids is its sides. If you are going white water rafting, then you should have a PFD. A PFD is a waterproofed sleeve that goes around your waist or legs to protect your body from falling into the water or protecting you while swimming with other people in the river.
White water rafting is a relatively new sport, so most crews still use only standard rafts. Since these are more difficult to manage and prepare for, having a PFD is helpful.
Some people are more vulnerable to injury when preparing for whitewater rafting: people with disabilities, people who have certain medical conditions, and individuals who do not feel comfortable in high pressure environments such as waterfalls or rivers.
Boots
If you will be climbing or scrambling throughout the majority of your trip, it is worth looking into foam climbing boots. foam climbing boots are slightly slippery when dry, which will be the majority of your time outside. They also have different widths for expansion as you climb.
As the boot expands with your weight, it maintains its shape. These shoes are durable enough to use in thick vegetation or submerged rocks!
If you do not find these shoes helpful, plastic toe and heel guards may help protect your feet from debris and wetness. If you want something more sturdy, canvas shoes may help prevent ankle blisters and rubbing against equipment.
If you are going in the winter, look into insulated wool pants or socks to prevent heatstroke and cold hands and feet.
Swim suit
When white water rafting, you must have a swim suit! While it is not recommended to wear nothing under the robe, it is possible to get away without one.
While there are no strict guidelines for what kind of swimsuit you should have when white water rafting, there are some safety rules to keep in mind.
The top of the swim suit should be able to cover your back and front sides of your body. It also should be comfortable and not lose its shape while being wet. Finally, it must be able to stay on while being active and swept along in the water.
We recommend looking for a moderate fit swim suit that fits well across the back, sides, and bottoms of your body. If necessary, some material may be cut out to make it fit more comfortably!
White water rafting is an activity that can have serious consequences if done incorrectly.
Gloves
When whitewater rafting in the winter, you’ll want winter gloves. There are two kinds of snow that fall during winter, static and Animated. Static snow can be difficult to tell how deep you are because it changes color as you move into it.
Animated snow is the case where they show you pictures of what the terrain looks like and it changes as you follow the trail. This kind of snow is difficult to tell if it is frozen or not, so being warned about that is helpful.
When whitewater rafting in the summer, either have shorts or cut-up shorts on standby. When naked, your skin can get warm very quickly. If wearing short sleeves, then have none-existent arm muscles be used for cover up.
Lastly, do not skimp on the jacket unless there is a heat condition needed less of an outer layer.
Helmet
While not required, a helmet can stop some corner-cutting white water rafting gears list from. A helmet will also protect the user from valuable skin tissue being cut off by sharp objects such as paddle blades.
Cuticles are a critical part of gear list. Without them, your user will be unable to put any sort of protection on the water surface due to exposed skin. Having some on hand can save someone a trip to the medical room or hospitalization!
Another thing to watch out for is eye protection. Some rafting companies will offer goggles as an added feature, but make sure they are strong enough to prevent metal pieces from getting into the user’s eyes.
Finally, keep in mind that some users may not like being protected in case of an emergency.
Kayak (2)
A kayak is one of the most recognizable recreational water toys. They can be used for fishing, swimming, boating, and other aquatic activities. While not included in this list due to their prevalence as recreational water toys,!:
Many companies now manufacture kayaks that are designed and marketed specifically as splashproof vessels. These kayaks usually have narrower widths at the front and back to allow for more water to go in the kayak. This extra space is needed to install a seat or bases for fins or a paddling handle.
The narrow widths also facilitate easier entry into the boat especially if you have small feet or hands. The wide-profile boats are more likely than normal Kayaks to cause accidental drowning because people do not realize how narrow they are!
If you want a more traditional looking kayak but want some privacy, consider looking at a splashproof boat.
Paddle(s)
When white water rafting on your own or with a group, you will need a paddle. These can be hand orgemony, but not push-type paddles. These are the ones that have a lead line on one end and a paddle on the other.
When whitewater rafting, you will be guiding your party down a section of water containing rapids. Your guide will put you in position using the paddle and then she or he will push off against the water to launch you into the rapids.
If you are only going to do white water rafting by yourself, it is recommended that you get a push-type paddle.
Throw bag + rope
The throw bag or backpack you are rafting with must be large enough to hold all of your supplies. You can buy a smaller throw bag if you are not a frequent user of the rafting experience, however all of your supplies should be included.
Your rope must be strong enough to hold your weight when in a position where you need to draw your weight up or down. Try it out! If you feel it needs to be stronger, buy one with a bit more material added to it.
The more expensive the better it is so you have something to celebrate if you get out of water or don’t go as hard as expected. If there is only one cost-effective product that meets all of the features listed, use that!
There are many different throws bags and they all have different dimensions so do not get too hung up on which one works for you however, make sure that it has enough space for everything you need during your trip.