You probably will just have to depend on the outfitters, or, if money is no object, you may want to buy your own raft, paddles, personal flotation devices, helmets, ropes, and other necessary equipment. If you are just starting out on whitewater rafting, though, you would be better off with the professional outfitters. Once you are thoroughly familiar with the sport and get addicted to it that you want to plunge into the waters every free time you have, you may then consider buying your own equipment.

Professional outfitters’ prices vary according the several factors. One is the river itself. This is because rivers, unlike humans, are not created equal. One is steeper than the other. Or has more bends, drops, boulders, eddies, bigger waves, or holes. The kind of gear offered by the outfitters will also influence the price. If these are all brand new state-of-the-art equipment, you may be charged a premium.

You may want to stay for a couple of days, or even up to five days, by the river. Accommodation varies from a well-appointed cabin or room to a tent under the stars. Some outfitters have packages that include all or some of your meals while others will allow you to prepare your own. These, too, affect the dollars you have to shell out for your vacation.

Tour packages often vary. Some feature half a day or a day of whitewater rafting. These are the least expensive. Other packages, however, cover several days ranging from two to seven. These usually include activities other than rafting such as mountain hiking or biking, horseback riding, canopy tours, or exploration of geological or historical sites.

Prices on weekdays are often cheaper than on weekends and holidays. Discounts are also given for large groups and children within a certain age limit. Generally, a one-day rafting experience may cost from US $100 to US $200, for two days this increases to US $300 to US $400, while a five-day-long adventure can set you back from US $600 to US $1,000.

It would be foolhardy, though, to take on the challenge of even just a Class II rapids without taking any precautionary measures. Often, a brief lecture on rafting is conducted by the outfitters before plunging into the waters. And of course, you have to bring along a few equipment and supplies that could help make your adventure safer and less exhausting.

Your personal clothing is important. Choose shirts and shorts that have wicking properties. These keep you drier and prevent clothes from clinging to your skin. You will, of course, get wet but drying out will be much quicker. Never wear flip flops on the rafts. Go for strap-on sports sandals or water shoes.

One of the most important items you must have is a quality life jacket. Also called a personal flotation device (PFD), this is a potential life saver in the event that you fall off from your raft or if it capsizes. With powerful currents tugging at you while you are in the water, it is quite difficult even just to stay afloat. Most, if not all, outfitters normally supply PFDs but it would still be prudent to carefully scrutinize the equipment for any defects or tears. If it is an inflatable type, see if there are any potential leaks.

Half-finger gloves are also useful. They do not only allow you to grip things more firmly. They also keep blisters away. The open fingertips help you to pick up small stuff and to feel things. Most gloves have padded palms for additional protection. They are offered in different sizes so you are sure to find one that fits your hands snugly.

A very important safety item is a rope bag. Like the PFD, this is a life saver in case a crew falls overboard. Most bags carry a 200-feet long rescue rope along with rescue hardware. The bags themselves are made of coated polyester mesh with a drawstring closure.

Complementing the rope bag is a whistle and a knife. The whistle is used to call the attention of the man overboard. Once you have his attention, you can toss the rope bag to him while holding on to one end of the rope. The knife, usually flat-tipped to avoid unwanted punctures, is on hand in case the ropes get entangled.

In the olden times, white water rafting was considered a mode of transportation. Early people tied planks of wood together and used it as a raft to ship food and people. After rubber rafts were invented, several resorts near white water rivers began offering rafting expeditions. Nowadays, more and more people are hooked on white water rafting and have been recruiting other friends as well.

Is your interest piqued? Do you want to go white water rafting as well? The first thing you have to do is find a white water river near you. Once you’ve decided where you want to “beat the white water”, you need to book a trip with one of the white water rafting outfitters that runs expeditions on your chosen river location. There are numerous outfitters that run expeditions on one river and it’s up to you to select the one that’s suitable for you. It is best to pick a reputable white water rafting company that has licensed and knowledgeable guides, first class equipment and wonderful white water rafting packages.

Different white water companies in different locations offer a variety of white water rafting packages. It may include accommodations, meals, hiking trips, and other enjoyable activities. To help you decide on what white water rafting package to take, consider some of my recommendations below. These white water rafting packages are offered by reputable companies that will surely take good care of you and your friends whatever level of experience you may have.

West Virginia has one of the best white water rivers to go rafting in, New River. If you’re considering the New River area, book a trip with one of the famous outfitters in the state, The North American River Runners, Inc. New River has two different classes of rapids, the upper New River is classified as class I-II and is for beginners. The lower New River is a class IV+ and is for intermediates. The North American River Runners, Inc. offers participants white water rafting packages to suit their budget and needs. They offer camping packages for adults and kids aged 5-14 years old. If camping is not your thing, there’s also the cabin tent package. Both rafting package consists of two nights lodging, rafting trip, two breakfasts, one riverside lunch and dinner. Average price is $150 for adults and $100 for kids.

Western River Expeditions offers several packages in Moab, Utah that includes not only white water rafting but other adventures as well. Their Saddles & Paddles 6 to 7 days vacation begins with an off road Hummer Safari that shows red rock landscapes in 360 degree views. The following days include horseback riding, picnics and finally, the white water rafting in Green River. This package includes accommodation either in tents or the fabulous Red Cliffs Lodge, delicious meals and toilet facilities.

White water rafting outfitters are the companies responsible in setting trips in various white water rapids. They provide the basic rafting equipments such as the rafts, paddles, life jackets and safety helmets. White water rafting companies charge the participants a certain fee for white water rafting trips and they in return, teach the participants how to maneuver and paddle the raft once they hit the white water.

It is important to choose white water rafting companies that are reputable, dependable and licensed. It is vital that you get their background as well as their guides to ensure that you really are in good hands and that they can help you in times of emergencies.

Here are some of the areas that you should consider in selecting white water rafting companies:

• Ask how long the white water company has been in the rafting industry and how long has it been owned by the owner. A solid and stable white water rafting company should not have changed ownership in the last years and have been the business for a period of time to gain sufficient reputation.
• A good white water rafting company should know what its participants want and should be eager in helping them out. They should have printed brochures of their white water rafting trip packages, an informative website and easily accessible email and phone systems.
• Reputable white water companies set themselves apart from the shady ones by hiring adept and friendly staff. Knowledgeable about white water rafting and the rivers, the staff should be able to answer and assure any question and inquiry of the participants. They should be able to recommend or suggest other water activity trips that are suitable to other clients who choose not to go rafting.
• Guide training should always be looked into when going to white water rafting companies. They should be capable and knowledgeable about every that concerns white water rafting in every sense of the word. It is a plus too if they have been in the same company for a long period of time.
• A reputable white water rafting company are often referred by friends or even strangers. However, the company itself should be able to give names if you ask them for several client referrals.
• Make sure that the equipment that will be used on the trip is in great working condition especially the life jackets. They should be Coast Guard approved. It is advisable to check them before booking a trip.
• Ask what professional affiliation the white water company belongs too. Look for your chosen white water companies in organizations such as Rafting.com, America Outdoors, or other local chamber of commerce affiliations.

White water rafting is considered to be an extreme sport but because of the different classes of white water rapids ranging from easy to expert, every member of the whole family can go have a white water rafting adventure.

Like any other sport and adventure trip, precaution should always be taken beforehand. Just because you are taking the easiest rapids doesn’t mean that you can be lax. Remember that if anything goes wrong, preparedness can save you.

• Before going white water rafting, sincerely ask yourself about your swimming capability and overall health. Will you be able to swim if you fall overboard? If you are not confident, taking a few swimming lessons can help. If you have any medical issues, be sure to have a go signal from your doctor.
• Be sure to go to a reputable white water rafting company for your rafting trips. Check their reputation and safety records. Ask local authorities about any rafting incidents involving the company. If you are doubtful, find another one.
• It would be more fun and safer to go with a companion or better yet, go with your whole family. When you go rafting alone, it is quite difficult to ask for help.
• Bear in mind that you bring all required gear like a first-aid kit, food, and two way radio and place them inside a dry bag. A first-aid kit is extremely important in any kind of trips. It should contain band-aids, gauze, ointments, and others. A two way radio allows you to monitor any weather changes and can save your life if you need any kind of help.
• Wear protective gear like coast guard approved life vest, helmet, right size oar. A helmet will protect your head from any sharp objects and rocks in case you get thrown out of your raft. Obviously, the life vest will keep you safely afloat. Choose a snug fitting vest that allows room for major paddling.
• Wear comfortable clothing, tennis shoes or outdoor sandals. You can get soaked while white water rafting so wear easily dried clothes or dri-fit and bring extra ones as well. Sometimes, you will need to walk in the water and you will need shoes to protect your feet from dangerous objects underneath the water. Don’t forget to wear sunblock!
• Since you will be out of the sun most of the time that you are white water rafting, make sure to keep yourself properly hydrated. Drink lots of fluids before, during, and after your rafting trip. With all the adrenaline rush, you might not even realize how thirsty you have become.

Above anything else, listen to your guide. Never underestimate their trainings or act arrogant. They are trained to handle emergencies calmly and efficiently like if someone has been thrown overboard, wounded or drowning.

Keep in mind the above mention white water rafting safety tips. They can help you survive the overall rafting experience without a hitch.

Water sports can be a bit traumatic especially for those who have had a bad near drowning experience. Taking extra precautions before undergoing actual white water rafting is a great way to help curb the fears and anxieties. Swimming lessons will be a great help in case you get thrown overboard. This way, panic attacks can be somewhat prevented once you hit the white waters.

White water rafting classes are also available to those who have yet to have the courage to go white water rafting without a guide. Though, it is more fun and safe to take as many people with you when you’re out in the rapids, nothing still beats being able to do it alone.

In white water rafting classes, individuals will be taught how to read the white water and execute different steering strokes. Also, rafting safety guidelines and self-rescue will be discussed in details. One will also be taught how to take care of rafting equipments. Participants will also be taught how to swim the rapids, to deal with problems of logistics, tie different kinds of knots and to right a flipped raft.

A skilled white water rafter take years of experience after experience and based on that, makes snappy and effective decisions in terms of emergencies that no white water rafting classes could ever simulate. However, these classes are recommended because then you will know what to expect when you go on your first unguided white water rafting adventure. And if you are willing to share your knowledge to other people, enrolling in a white water rafting guide school will be a great decision.

The paddle is just one of the pieces of equipment that a participant will use during white water rafting. They are used to steer and propel the raft. The paddle is not attached to the raft. Therefore, each participant must hold them using their T-grip handle. A paddle has a blade at one end to push the water. Another one used to row a boat is an oar. Oars are longer than paddles and are attached to the boat by oarlocks.

The most important equipment when white water rafting is the rafts. Most white water rafting trips use a self-bailing rubber paddle rafts that are inflatable and can reach as long as 16 feet. Each paddle raft can fit 6 to 8 persons and a guide. A paddle boat is a perfect one to ride in rapids that make you scream and paddle with your life just to get out fast.

For those who want to experience rapids the other way, meaning just relaxing and not doing any paddling, an oar boat is also available. It comes with wooden oars that the guide uses to manoeuvre and steer through the rapids.

Going through an intermediate or expert level of rapids requires another boat that allows maximum steering possible. An oar-paddle boat lets the guide steer using an oar and the participants using paddles to maneuver.

There is also another type of raft that is called a cataraft. It is a kind of raft that has a metal frame which holds two inflatable tubes. This lightweight raft can only hold one person and a number of equipments.

Before starting a white water rafting trip, it is important that every participant including the guides are wearing approve life jackets and plastic safety helmets. A first aid kid, whistles, radios, pulleys and throw bags as well as repair kits for rafts are on board in case of any emergencies. A dry bag should be used to carry valuable items such as food, cameras, money, extra clothes or any other items that should not be touched by water.

Nowadays, rafting is on the same level as other outdoor sports such as rock climbing, canyoneering, and bouldering. It is an activity that challenges the body and wits. Now that it is considered as a pleasure sport, white water rafting is enjoyed by a lot of thrill seekers both young and old. White water rafting has no restrictions no matter how much of an adventurer you are. That is why white water rafting is a wonderful activity that the entire family can go enjoy.

In white water rafting, the aim is to successfully guide and paddle your raft through the river’s rapids. Depending on the rapids, this can be downright tricky and exhilarating. Even though, numerous folks have tried their hand in white water rafting, there are still a few who are a bit skeptical about its overall safety. A lot of people voice out their concerns regarding the type of rafts used in white water rafting. They all wanted to know if it is safe and sturdy to withstand the number of rapids it passes through.

The different types of white water rafts used in braving the rapids have changed since it was first invented. In the olden days, logs and planks were fastened together to be used as rafts. Today’s white water rafts are inflatable and made of durable, highly rubberized fabric. For groups who want to enjoy white water rafting trips, they usually use paddle rafts. These paddle rafts seat up to eight people plus one guide. A paddle raft is an inflatable, plastic raft that moves really swift in white water no matter what level. For those who are rafting in pairs, the challenging and smaller version of a paddle raft called R2 is available. For those adventurers that want to enjoy the ride with less participation, they can try the oar rafts. Also inflatable, oar rafts have long wooden oars that are powered by a guide. These usually seat up to five people and are usually used in easy to moderate white water runs.

There’s also a combination of an oar raft and a paddle raft. They are also inflatable. This hybrid allows the guide to maneuver with long wooden oars while the passengers paddle as well. This type of white water raft is used in intermediate to advanced rapid runs.

Most rafts used in white water rafting are self-bailers. Self-bailers’ allow water to flow across the floor, to the edges and out. For adventurers who want to own their own rafts can purchase a catarafts. This kind of raft is made by two inflatable tubes held by a metal frame. Catarafts are designed to hold only a few passengers and they are easier to maneuver compared to self-bailers.

White water rafting is a dangerous sport. But with mental, physical and gear preparedness, it will be a piece of cake.