Recreational outdoor activity
Rafting in Ladakh, IndiaRafting in Alaska
Rafting on the Tara river, Bosnia
Rafting and whitewater rafting are recreational outdoor activities 8️⃣ which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water.
This is often done on whitewater or 8️⃣ different degrees of rough water.
Dealing with risk is often a part of the experience.[1]
This activity as an adventure sport has 8️⃣ become popular since the 1950s, if not earlier, evolving from individuals paddling 10 feet (3.0 m) to 14 feet (4.
3 8️⃣ m) rafts with double-bladed paddles or oars to multi-person rafts propelled by single-bladed paddles and steered by a person at 8️⃣ the stern, or by the use of oars.[2]
Rafting on certain sections of rivers is considered an extreme sport and can 8️⃣ be fatal, while other sections are not so extreme or difficult.
Rafting is also a competitive sport practiced around the world 8️⃣ which culminates in a world rafting championship event between the participating nations.
The International Rafting Federation, often referred to as the 8️⃣ IRF, is the worldwide body which oversees all aspects of the sport.
[3]Equipment [ edit ]
Rafting equipment has continuously evolved and 8️⃣ developed significantly from old rubber WW II era military surplus rafts.
Modern whitewater rafts are typically made with advanced nylon or 8️⃣ Kevlar infused plastics like PVC or urethane; though many of the more entry-level low-cost manufacturers still use a glued rubber.
Plastic 8️⃣ is generally more durable, longer-lasting, and just as easy to repair compared to older rubber rafts.[4]
Paddles and oars are the 8️⃣ typical means of propulsion for rafts and come in many sizes and varieties with specific river conditions in mind.
Paddles [ 8️⃣ edit ]
Paddles are a combination of layered wood, plastic, aluminium, carbon fiber, or other advanced composites.
There are many types and 8️⃣ 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 8️⃣ composites and mostly utilized by professional rafting guides, raft racers, and expedition paddlers.[5]
The basic paddle design for rafting consists of 8️⃣ 3 parts:Single bladeShaftT-grip
Paddles are typically utilized by rafters in smaller and lower volume rivers where rocks and other hazards can 8️⃣ damage larger oars.
Paddles are typically used by guests on commercial trips as well since it is seen as a more 8️⃣ engaging way to enjoy the river trip.
When paddles are used in a raft it is referred to as "paddling" or 8️⃣ "paddle guiding".[6]Oars [ edit ]
Oars are commonly made from the same materials as paddles.
Wood, plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber.
Oars are 8️⃣ designed for several different rivers with slightly different blade shapes built to handle varying river conditions.
Wooden oars are typically built 8️⃣ as one solid piece to help retain strength and resilience of the oar while it is strained under a load.
Composite 8️⃣ or metallic oars typically are made in three parts:BladeShaftGrip
All of these parts are interchangeable and can be upgraded and altered 8️⃣ in many ways to make rowing more enjoyable.
[7] Oars are generally used on wider flatter rivers of higher volume to 8️⃣ facilitate moving more efficiently across long slow-moving pools, though anglers will often use shorter oars on smaller rafts in low 8️⃣ volume rivers to help them maintain an advantageous upstream position while anglers cast from the raft.
When a raft utilizes oars 8️⃣ it is called "rowing" though many people typically incorrectly refer to this as "oaring" or "oar framing", however, these terms 8️⃣ are incorrect and often suggest inexperience when used in conversation with members of the rafting community.
Oars typically use one of 8️⃣ 2 systems to attach to the boat, but in either case, they interface with the boat through a large metallic 8️⃣ frame strapped to the boat called an "oar frame".
Oars connect to the frame by either a pin and clip system 8️⃣ or a system called oarlocks.
Either system connects to the frame via oar towers on either side of the frame.
Pins and 8️⃣ clips [ edit ]
Pins are referred to as "thole pins" or "oar pins".
A large metal clip attaches to the oar 8️⃣ and clips onto the pin.
The top of the pin has a rubber or plastic stopper that prevents the oar from 8️⃣ slipping over the top of the pin.
The bottom of the pin connects to an oar tower designed to hold the 8️⃣ pin in place.
This system is an older system though it is useful for certain types of river running namely big, 8️⃣ dangerous Class 5 rivers that require your oars to stay in place as much as possible.
Oarlocks [ edit ]
Oarlocks or 8️⃣ locks are a more common form of attachment for oars as they allow the rower to "feather" the oar back 8️⃣ and forth as they row making it easier on the person using the oars to continue downstream.
Oarlocks look like a 8️⃣ pin topped with a U-shaped metal flange.
The oars slide into the gap between the U-shaped metal pieces and can be 8️⃣ held in place with a plastic stopper called an oarlock.
The oarlock allows the oar to maintain its position on the 8️⃣ oar at a correct length for rowing.
History [ edit ]
Whitewater rafting can be traced back to 1811 when the first 8️⃣ recorded attempt to navigate the Snake River in Wyoming was planned.
With no training, experience, or proper equipment, the river was 8️⃣ found to be too difficult and dangerous.
Hence, it was given the nickname "Mad River".
On June 9, 1940, Clyde Smith led 8️⃣ a successful trip through the Snake River Canyon.[8]
Classes of white water [ edit ]
Rafting on the Neitikoski Rapids in Lieksa, 8️⃣ North Karelia, Finland
Otherwise known as the International Scale of River Difficulty, below are the six grades of difficulty in white 8️⃣ water rafting.
They range from simple to very dangerous and potential death or serious injuries.
Class 1: Very small rough areas, might 8️⃣ require slight maneuvering.
(Skill level: Very basic)
Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering.
(Skill level: Basic paddling 8️⃣ skill)
Class 3: Small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger.
May require significant maneuvering.
(Skill level: Some experience in rafting)
Class 8️⃣ 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed.
(Skill level: Exceptional rafting experience)
Class 5: 8️⃣ Whitewater, large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering.
(Skill level: 8️⃣ Full mastery of rafting)
Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous that they are effectively unnavigable on 8️⃣ a reliably safe basis.
Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that 8️⃣ will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment.
Traversing a Class 6 rapid 8️⃣ has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes.
(Skill level: Full mastery of 8️⃣ rafting, and even then it may not be safe)[9]Safety [ edit ]
Wetsuits, additional personal flotation devices (aka lifejackets) and sport 8️⃣ helmets are mandatory and often imposed by law at least on tours of commercial operators, due to the constant risk 8️⃣ of falling off the boat
The overall risk level on a rafting trip using proper precautions is low.
[10] Thousands of people 8️⃣ safely enjoy rafting trips every year.
Like most outdoor sports, rafting, in general, has become safer over the years.
Expertise in the 8️⃣ sport has increased, and equipment has become more specialized and improved in quality.
As a result, the difficulty rating of most 8️⃣ river runs has changed.
A classic example is the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, which historically had a reputation far 8️⃣ exceeding its actual safety statistics.
Today the Grand Canyon sees hundreds of safe rafting trips by both do it yourself rafters 8️⃣ and commercial river concessionaires.[10]
Rafting companies generally require customers to sign waiver forms indicating understanding and acceptance of potential serious risks.
Both 8️⃣ do-it-yourself and commercial rafting trips often begin with safety presentations to educate rafting participants about problems that may arise.
Depending on 8️⃣ the area, safety regulations covering rafting, both for the general do-it-yourself public as well as commercial operators, may exist in 8️⃣ legislation.
These range from the mandatory wearing of lifejackets, carrying certain equipment such as whistles and throwable flotation devices, to certification 8️⃣ of commercial outfitters and their employees.
It is generally advisable to discuss safety measures with a commercial rafting operator before signing 8️⃣ on for that type of trip.
The required equipment needed is essential information to be considered.
Risks in white water rafting stem 8️⃣ from both environmental dangers and from improper behavior.
Certain features on rivers are inherently unsafe and have remained consistently so.
These would 8️⃣ include 'keeper hydraulics', 'strainers' (e.g.
fallen trees), dams (especially low-head dams, which tend to produce river-wide keeper hydraulics), undercut rocks, and 8️⃣ of course dangerously high waterfalls.
Even in safe areas, moving water can always present risks-such as when a swimmer attempts to 8️⃣ stand up on a rocky riverbed in strong current, risking foot entrapment.
Irresponsible behavior related to rafting while intoxicated has also 8️⃣ contributed to many accidents.[11]
Typical rafting injuries include trauma from striking an object, traumatic stress from the interaction of the paddler's 8️⃣ positioning and equipment and the force of the water, overuse injuries, submersion/environmental injuries, and non-environmental injuries due to undisclosed medical 8️⃣ conditions (such as heart problems).
[12] Studies have shown that injury rates in rafting are relatively low,[13] though they may be 8️⃣ 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 8️⃣ 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 8️⃣ activities, rafting must balance its use of nature with the conservation of rivers as a natural resource and habitat.
Because of 8️⃣ these issues, some rivers now have regulations restricting the annual seasons and daily operating times or numbers of rafters.
Conflicts have 8️⃣ arisen when commercial rafting operators, often in co-operation with municipalities and tourism associations, alter the riverbed by dredging and/or blasting 8️⃣ in order to eliminate safety hazards or create more interesting whitewater features in the river.
Environmentalists argue that this may have 8️⃣ negative impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems, while proponents claim these measures are usually only temporary since a riverbed is 8️⃣ naturally subject to permanent changes during large floods and other events.
Another conflict involves the distribution of scarce river permits to 8️⃣ 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 8️⃣ many regions which in turn may contribute to the protection of rivers from hydroelectric power generation, diversion for irrigation, and 8️⃣ 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 8️⃣ National Wild and Scenic Rivers System have the potential to develop environmental stewardship and general environmental behavior.
Studies suggest that environmental 8️⃣ efficacy increases when there is an increase in the length of the trip, daily immersion, and the amount of resource 8️⃣ education by trip participants.
[18]See also [ edit ]
