What Are Some Tips for Self-Guided White Water Rafting Adventures

When you are undertaking a self-guided white water rafting tour then the adventure and thrill that comes with it is comparable to none. However, it is easier said than done because planning a self-guided white water rafting adventure requires a lot of planning and attention to details.

Moreover, a self-guided trip requires an increase in the sense of responsibility for your crew’s safety & success and any mistake on your part can land everyone in trouble. Here in this article, we will discuss some tips to help you out on your self-guided white water rafting adventure.

Select The Right River

One of the primary tasks you need to accomplish is that selecting the right river for your rafting adventure based on your skill levels. In fact, the rivers are classified from class I rapids to class VI rapids depending on the intensity of flow of water in them.

If you don’t have any prior experience in self-guided white water rafting then you must start with class I or II and build your momentum up as you gain confidence & experience. In addition to that, you should also research the river conditions, seasonal changes, and water flow rates as they have a significant impact on the difficulty posed by the rapids.

In addition to that, you must also look for local regulations as some river require permits or have restrictions and violating those regulations can land you in trouble. Furthermore, you can refer to the previous experience of rafters who have already undertaken rafting trips on the particular river.

Besides that, you can consult the river maps as it will help you in planning your trip as you will know where you are headed.

Bring the Right Safety Gear

Now, the biggest difference between guided white water rafting trips and self-guided is that it requires you to be completely self-reliant as nobody is going to bring you your safety gears. Among the various safety gears that you are going to use, you must opt for a high-quality personal flotation device (PFD) that is meant to be used in white water rafting.

Besides that, you will also require a helmet, a throw bag for rescues, a river knife, and a first aid kit. In fact, you should also carry a dry bag with extra clothes, food, and emergency supplies during your rafting tour. Moreover, if you are rafting in a remote area then you must carry a GPS device or satellite phone for emergency communication.

Some rafters have the habit of carrying spare paddles & a repair kit with them that can come handy if the equipment fails. In addition to that, you must wear suitable clothing that are able to dry out quickly and if the waters are cold then remember to wear thermal layers to protect you from hypothermia due to exposure to cold waters.

Plan for Emergencies & Know Exit Routes

Often people forget to plan for emergencies during their self-guided white water rafting adventure and face problems when faced with emergency situations. Before you set your foot on water, you must identify the emergency exit points along the river where you can safely get off when needed.

There are several factors that can play spoilsport with your rafting tour starting from weather changes and injuries to equipment failure and any of these might require you to abandon your trip midway and this is where an emergency plan and escape routes are going to be of use.

In addition to that, you must inform someone when undertaking a self-guided white water rafting tour and make sure they are completely aware of your itinerary so that in case of any emergency they know where to find you.

Understand the River Thoroughly

The most important thing when undertaking a self-guided white water river rafting tour is that you must have a thorough understanding of the river its flow patterns, currents, and potential hazards that can affect your rafting expedition.

When you are able to understand the river completely then it will become easier for you to plan out your rafting tour and you also won’t be surprised by anything when conquering the currents.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are the leading tips that you need to stick to when embarking on a self-guided white water rafting tour. You should also communicate all your plans to your team members if any so that it becomes easier for everyone to execute the plan.