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Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other body of water. Usually it is done on whitewater of different degrees of difficulty, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1980's.
The type of raft used nowadays for recreational rafting is almost exclusively an inflatable boat. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized fabrics with several independent air chambers. Its length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons.
Bill Dvorak was instrumental in establishing the sport of rafting.
Safety
Whitewater rafting can be a dangerous sport, especially if the usual safety precautions are not observed. In the past there have been many accidents, but predominantly in private travel. Therefore, depending on the area, legislated safety measures now exist for rafting operators: ranging from certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, to strict regulations specifying the equipment that must be carried. It is generally advisable to discuss before reserving a rafting trip the safety measures of the rafting operator. Type and scope of the equipment and the qualifications of the raft leader are the essential information to be considered.
Yet as expertise increases, and equipment becomes more durable, the classification changes. The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon has swallowed whole expeditions in the past, leaving only fragments of boats, yet it is now run by commercial outfitters hundreds of times each year, with relatively untrained passengers. (Source: California State Parks)
Issues with rafting
Like all wilderness sports, rafting has to balance the conflict between nature protection and nature use. Because of frequent problems in the past some rivers now have regulations restricting or specifying the annual and daily operating times.
Conflicts have also arisen with environmentalists, when rafting operators, often in co-operation with municipalities and tourism associations, alter the riverbed by dredging and/or blasting in order to eliminate safety risks or create more interesting whitewater features in the river. Incongruously these measures usually are only temporary, since a riverbed is subject to permanent changes.
On the other hand, rafting contributes to the economy of many alpine regions which in turn may contribute to the protection of rivers from hydro-electric power generation and other development.
Popular rafting locations
Africa
Asia/Oceania
- Bhote Koshi river in Nepal, Asia
- Ganga (Ganges River) and its tributaries in India, Asia
- Kali Gandaki river in Nepal, Asia
- Karnali river in Nepal, Asia
- Zanskar River in India, Asia
Europe
- Afon Tryweryn near Bala in Wales, United Kingdom
North America
- American River near Coloma, California in the USA
- Arkansas River near the Royal Gorge in Colorado
- Colorado River, especially through the Grand Canyon starting at Lee's Ferry
- Gauley River and New River in West Virginia
- Kern River in California
- Kicking Horse River in Golden, British Columbia, Canada
- Ocoee River and Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States
- Ottawa River at Calumet Island in the Whitewater Region, Ontario
- Salmon River and its tributaries in Idaho
- New River in West Virginia
South America
See also
External links
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"Rafting"