Colorado Whitewater Rafting

Colorado River Rafting Trips, Book Yours Now!

2010-03-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

Thinking about taking a Colorado River rafting trip? There are so many outfitters all over the state, make sure that you research the area and outfitter you decide to use. Once you find that perfect fit, read more articles in this blog about whitewater rafting. I am a rafting enthusiast and if you can't tell I would like everyone to experience a rafting trip!

More helpful resources: Breckenridge Rafting | Royal Gorge Rafting

Find A Rafting Outfitter

2010-02-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

Posted by: Colorado River Rafting

We're not taking about seeking out a fashionista to hook you up with some fine threads. By "outfitter," we mean a company that offers whitewater rafting expeditions.

Here's a tip: Almost any river rafting outfitter that has been in existence for over a year and has nice, little glossy brochures (or a nice, little website) is probably a safe bet. Unlike telemarketing and credit card scams - which can exist on a fly-by-night basis - producing a fly-by-night (or would that be float-by-night?) whitewater rafting scam is not nearly as easy or profitable.

Here are a few places to find a reputable outfitter:

Visit GORP.com's paddling page, which has links to outfitters all over the country.
Check out RiverSearch's listings of whitewater rafting vacations. They have tons; most likely at least one in your area too.
Seek out local adventure organizations, or, more specifically, whitewater, canoe, raft or kayak clubs. You can always try the Yellow Pages under "rafts," "rafting," or "expeditions."
If you're in college, there are often school clubs and organizations that offer discount Colorado whitewater rafting trips. Check it out, sign up, make friends.
Check out sporting and adventure magazines such as Whitewater Paddling, Men's Journal, Outdoor and Paddler.
You can always do a simple Internet search on a search engine. For instance, Yahoo lists over 100 potential outfitters here.
Lastly, contact your local or state game and forestry commissions. They know a lot about rivers. They know a lot about squirrels too, but you probably don't care.

When shopping around for an outfitter, keep the following in mind:

Price
River guides
Special needs
Emergencies

More Rafting Articles: US Takes 6th in World Rafting | History of Whitewater Rafting

Difference Between Oar & Paddle Boat

2010-01-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

There are two main types of Colorado river rafting boats used on the rivers here in Colorado. A paddle boat is controlled by the crew as your guide calls out commands. The crew maneuvers the raft down river. Crew participation in the rapids is elemental.

If you prefer to hold on and relax, the oar boat raft is for you. Only the guide does the main work in a oar boat.

All oar boats will have paddles on them so guests and children may participate if they choose to while the guide controls the raft with his/her oars. These rafting trips are most popular amongst families or older riders.

Breckenridge Rafting Video

2010-01-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a great video showing the wet wild fun Breckenridge rafting trips have to offer.

Breckenridge River Rafting

2010-01-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

When most people think about Breckenridge, Colorado, they think skiing. But Breckenridge has so much more to offer visitors. There’s great biking, hiking, horseback riding and fly fishing, plus year-round shopping and dining along Breckenridge’s charming Victorian Main Street. But perhaps the most fun warm weather activity available is Breckenridge rafting.

Breckenridge Rafting Options

From Breckenridge, rafting is close, convenient, fun and one of the best ways to experience the Rocky Mountains. There are four fabulous rivers to raft close to Breckenridge, all of which offer half-day and full-day rafting trips, as well as choices that are appropriate for beginners, intermediate rafters and expert whitewater enthusiasts. Highside Adventure Tours offers the following Breckenridge rafting choices:

Blue River — The most convenient rafting trip begins in Breckenridge. The Blue River is Summit County’s only whitewater river and one of the few opportunities for high country river rafting in the state. Exquisitely scenic, our Blue River Rafting trip boasts gorgeous views of some of the highest peaks in Colorado, including the stunning Gore Range. This is a great Breckenridge rafting trip for a half day adventure.
Clear Creek — Clear Creek is the next most convenient choice for Breckenridge rafting. This trip starts out about 50 minutes east of Breckenridge in the historic mining town of Idaho Springs and offers full and half-day rafting trips for all ages and all levels. This trip includes all of your rafting options, including some fun such as half day rafting followed by a tour of an historic mine, a half day raft trip followed by a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of the Indian Springs resort, or a half day Vail Pass bike ride followed by a river run.
The Colorado River — This Breckenridge rafting adventure meets at our Breckenridge Basecamp. On this trip, rafting companies drive roughly an hour to our remote canyon put-in. The Colorado River is one of the classic rivers in the United States. Starting high in the Colorado Rockies, and eventually flowing through the Grand Canyon, the Colorado is the setting for some great mountain and canyon scenery, natural hot springs, old pioneer cabins, wildlife viewings and more.
Arkansas River — This Breckenridge rafting trip starts about 1.25 hours south of Breckenridge in Buena Vista, Colorado. Buena Vista means “beautiful view” in Spanish, and they’re not kidding! The 14,000 foot Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River valley are simply beautiful. Along with the thrill of rafting the most popular commercial river in the U.S., the surroundings help make the trip even more worthwhile. Buena Vista is a town worth visiting as well, not to mention the two fabulous hot springs right outside of town.

FAQ for Blue River Rafting

2010-01-29T10:41:00.000-08:00

The Blue river 1/2 day trip offers class 3 whitewater through beautiful alpine scenery. The season is from late May through early July ( varies slightly from year to year ). All of our Breckenridge rafting trips depart from our Frisco office.

Can I bring my child on this trip?
Recommended minimum age is 7 years old and 50 lbs. The minimum age may be adjusted upward at higher flows and downward at lower flows.

Are there many injuries?
In any outdoor adventure activity involving risk and inherent dangers there is always the possibility of injury. We take many precautions to minimize the risk, resulting in very few minor injuries each season. There is a low potential for injury on our mild to moderate trips. The potential for injury would increase with the level of difficulty of the trip. We give a very informative river orientation/safety talk prior to each trip that familiarizes the guests with some of the potential risks.

What should I Bring/Wear?
Wear comfortable, quick drying clothing ( swimsuit, shorts), and protective footgear ( sneakers that you don't mind getting wet ).We also recommend sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a fleece or capilene on cooler days. We have wetsuits, booties, and whitewater splash jackets available for rent. Dry storage bags are provided for small items, such as sunscreen, and sweaters. We recommend bringing a dry change of clothes for after the trip.

When and where do we meet?
All of our Breckenridge rafting trips will meet 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time at our office in Frisco.

Once you have arrived at the office that your trip departs from, Performance Tours will provide all shuttles. We have ample parking at all of our offices.

Need to know more? What about lifejackets, lunches, equipment you can bring and equipment you'll need? Our FAQ page has all the answers you need.

For more information about Breckenridge rafting or about Blue River, check out their website: www.performancetours.com

When Is The Best Time to Go River Rafting

2010-01-27T08:18:00.000-08:00

We get asked quite frquentely, "when is the best time to go river rafting" and the answer to the question really depends on what kind of Colorado river rafting trip you are looking to go on.

Most river rafting trips run from early April to mid September and we consider these months to be the best. Typically April and early May water levels are lower and begin to rise into the middle of May.

As the water gets higher in volume typically from late May through June and into July the water gets swifter and rapids become larger creating some of the best whitewater in the world. In late July through August & September the air temperatures rise and the water slowly drops in volume usually ending its run off in the middle of September. All of these months provide an excellent opportunity to get into world class whitewater combined with some of the most amazing scenery seen on any river trip!

In the rare event that sections become un-runnable we will switch the location of the trip to a comparable section of whitewater. Earlier summer months tend to be in the 70s to 80s with occasional and often refreshing rain showers and later summer months can reach into the high 90s and are typically drier months.

So you can see it really depends what you are looking for in your river rafting trip. If you are looking for a nice calm ride with warmer temperatures the best time to go for you would be in August. If you don't care about weather you just want the wildest ride you can get, then we would say to go rafting late May or early June.

Whitewater Rafting in Durango

2010-01-22T11:53:00.001-08:00

Whitewater rafting in Durango is a great place to river raft! Whether its your first time or you've gone more than a hand full, Durango, CO offers great river conditions for everyone. Here are some of the places you can river raft in Durango:

Lower Animas River
A perfect Durango activity thats fun for the whole family. The Lower Animas offers fun and easy rapids all Summer - unless you arrive during peak runoff. In that case be prepared for plenty of excitement!

Upper Animas
No other river in Colorado comes close to the scenery, remoteness and challenges of the Upper Animas River. We offer trips for intermediate to expert rafters and kayakers. Be careful, our fully stocked riverside camp and hiking options in this roadless wilderness might just lure you to opt for the two or three day trip!

If you've never been on a Colorado river rafting trip, here are some tips to help you be prepared for your fun day:

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Swimsuit or quick-dry clothing.
Water bottle (optional).
Shoes or sandals that can get wet (no flip flops please).
Sunscreen and sunglasses with strap.
Sleeping bag for overnight trip.

WHAT IS PROVIDED?

Self-bailing boats, paddles, life jackets.
Splash jacket and/or wetsuit as needed.
River shoes on full day or longer trips.
Helmet as needed.
Drinking water.
Meals on half day or longer trips.
Free parking and transportation.
Tent and pad on overnight trips.
Full paddling suits available on expert trips for your safety and comfort!

DO I NEED A RESERVATION?

Yes for half day or longer trips (25% deposit).

SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDE?

Tips are encouraged (5 to 15% is common).

Here's a recommended Durango Rafting Company

Colorado River Rafting

2010-01-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

Its funny to think that such an amazing recreational activity such as river rafting was first invented and used for military purposes. Now i'm sure there was someone before the British sailing company who sad on a log and rode down a river and enjoyed the splashes of water to the face, the intense current from the rapids and the uncertainty of getting down alive. The first actual "rubber river raft" was invented in the 19th century however.

Colorado river rafting has been enjoyed since the states inception to the union. With amazing rivers, views and now rafting companies, Colorado is one of the top places to go whitewater rafting in the country. If you have not had the chance to go down a raging river in a rubber tube with 7 other screaming friends, I would definitely put it on your things to do this summer!

There are plenty of places to go rafting in Colorado. The Breckenridge rafting area, the Royal Gorge rafting area, Estes Park and Durango are a few popular places to go. There are plenty of rafting websites out there to help you get informed on when, where and with who to go with.

Colorado River Rafing featuring rafting in India

2009-07-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

The Zanskar River :: India

by Anupam Chandola
part I of III
Anupam Chandola (Arnie) is a native of India and has guided around the world including the Zanskar. Arnie really wants to go again so he wrote this up to entice you to join us in the summer for "a true journey of exploration and discovery". He can setup fully guided or semi-private trips where you kayak or row your own raft as I know that would appeal to many of our readers. Just contact us with questions.
Rafting in the Indian Himalayas

River running is virtually as old as civilization itself, but rafting and kayaking as recreational activities are relatively new, especially in the Indian Himalayas. A river journey in an exotic foreign country is one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to experience the rural areas, observing different ways of live, cultures and natural environments, and coming into contact with village people the conventional traveler rarely gets to meet. These pleasures are complimented by an even greater thrill: rafting through powerful, fast flowing rapids. The skills of our professional guides and the stability, sturdiness and buoyancy of modern self bailing rafts, enable us to safely challenge these exciting rivers. Nowhere are these voyages of exploration and adventure better experienced than in the Himalayas, where some of the finest white-water rivers in the world surge through spectacular land of dramatic contrast supporting an amazing variety of flora and fauna, interlaced with a myriad of centuries-old culture. History you will find with India River Rafting in the Himalayas. Colorado River Rafting has more rapids...

Colorado River Rafting and what to wear...

2009-07-03T20:03:00.001-07:00

You will be the most comfortable in things that dry quickly. If the weather is warm, and that is most typical, dress to get wet. Swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts are fine. Appropriate footwear is a must. Old pair of tennis shoes or the Teva-type sport sandals (the guides choice of footwear) is best. Wool socks or no socks. If it is expected to be a cool day, rule number one is COTTON IS WRONG! A wool sweater or fleece jacket is good to have along on any raft trip. There are brands of wetsuits and one of the best for coldwater 45 degrees is this wetsuit approved by scuba pros and this wetsuit for waters ranging 60 to 75 degrees, spray jackets, and river boots preferred by Colorado River Rafting professionals. Again, expect to get wet!

If you wear glasses or plan to wear sunglasses, a retaining strap such as a chums or croakies is the key to still owning your glasses at the end of the day. Only waterproof cameras are recommended. A water bottle is nice to have along. Most outfitters rent the river wear and some provide certain things for free like raftmasters.com on your Colorado River Rafting trip. Sunscreen and/or a hat are also good to have. Don't forget your spirit of adventure.

Colorado Whitewater Rafting Terminology for beginners

2009-07-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Boat & Equipment Terminology

Paddle: A paddle held in the hands, not attached to the boat, used to paddle. Can be single-bladed (for rafting and canoeing) or double-bladed (for kayaking, solo cats, inflatable kayaks)

Paddle Boat: A raft with a crew of paddlers and a guide.

Oar: A long blade, attached to the boat by an oarlock on thole pin, and used to row.

Oar Rig: A boat rigged with oars, so one person sitting in the center of the boat can row.

Stern Rig, Paddle Assist: An oar/paddle boat, in which the guide has oars and frame in the stern, and thecrew, sitting forward, has paddles. Ofen used on high water.

Bow: The front of the boat.
Stern: The rear of the boat.

Duckie, Inflatable Kayak, Funyak, Splashyak: A one or two person inflatable boat, usually paddled with double bladed paddles.

Cataraft: An inflatable boat with two pontoons.

Solo Cat: A one-person cataraft paddled with a double-bladed paddle.

Hoopi: Tubular webbing used for multiple purposes in rigging and preparing boats. Some into Colorado Whitewater Rafting do not know this term.

Carabiner: A clip, used to secure items into the boat, and to construct safety and rescue systems.

Wet Suit: A neoprene rubber suit which allows a small amount of water in, to help retain body heat.

Dry Suit: A suit designed to keep all water out, under which any amount of layered clothing can be worn.

Dry Bag,
Day Bag: A bag for keeping gear in on the river, to help keep things dry (but probably not 100%)

Life Jacket: A personal floatation device, coast guard approved, and worn like a vest.

BRECKENRIDGE RAFTING and what rafts utilized by outfitters

2009-06-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS OF RAFTS under 12 feet long and what rafts are used by Breckenridge Rafting outfitters:
AIRE

RAFT:Puma Length:11'6" Width:66" Diameter:18" WEIGHT:88 lbs MATERIAL:PVC/U CAPACITY:950 lbs PRICE:$2500
AIRE makes the Puma, a longtime favorite for raft creeking. Lately they have been making bigger versions of the Puma called the Super Puma and the Super Duper Puma but I feel like they should make a smaller version and call it the Baby Puma or something. Recently I portaged a Puma for three miles and that wasn't too fun. If you are listening AIRE please build me a Baby Puma, 9 feet long and weighing less than 40 lbs.

Hyside

Mini-Me 9' 62" 18" 45 lbs Hyp 4 $1764
140SBU 11'8" 70" 18" 87 lbs Hyp 6 $2779
109RBS 9' 62" 18" 71 lbs Hyp 4 $1420
139RBS 11'6" 66" 18" 84 lbs Hyp 6 $1975
Hyside is the proud maker of the Mini Me 9 foot raft. What fun! These things are popular R2 boats and make it possible to do some serious raft creeking. Made of Hypalon.

Incept

G25S 8'5" 53" 15" 55 lbs Poly/U 2 $NA
G29S 9'6" 57" 15.75" 66 lbs Poly/U 3 $NA
W33S 10'10" 63" 15.75" 78 lbs Poly/U 4 $2190
These New Zealand boats are imported directly to Idaho through a giant whirlpool from the Buller River straight to the Payette. They offer not one but three small rafts in delightfully light weights for those days where half your time is spent walking.

Maravia

Seal 11'6" 72" 17" 77 lbs Poly/U 4 $2201
Elan 12' 69" 18" 95 lbs Poly/U 6 $3998
Maravia makes two small rafts but don't try to find them on the Maravia website - better off visiting the River Connection instead. I was part of a two man crew that paddled a little Maravia down the Green Truss section of the White Salmon and the boat held up very well.

NRS

E-120 12' 66" 17" 108lbs Hyp NA $3400
Otter120 12' 66" 17" 88 lbs Hyp NA $2475
NRS has two 12 foot self-bailing models both made of hypalon. The E series is made for commercial abuse but is pretty heavy. The Otter is a good value and should be a great boat for the private boater.

SOTAR

SP10E (Tan) 10' 18" ? lbs Poly/U ? $2400
SP12E 12' ? 18" ? lbs Poly/U ? $2779
ST11E 11' 62" 19" 78 lbs Poly/U ? $3381
ST12E 12' 70" 19" 85 lbs Poly/U ? $3381
SL11E 11' 64" 20" 75 lbs Poly/U ? $3740
ST12E 12' 68" 20" 82 lbs Poly/U ? $3974
Sotar has three basic raft models. The ST is their standard design, the SP is the standard design but in Tan color only and the ST has a diminishing tube design. The prices are pretty high for boats this small, save perhaps the SP model. Sotars have been used on some pretty balsy stuff including the first raft descent of the Green River Narrows.

Star

LX12-SB THUNDER 12' 72" 18" 116 lbs PVC 3-6 $2449
VX12-SB 12' 72" 18" 90 lbs PVC 6 $1485
B12-SB LIGHTNING BUG 12' 57" 24" 103 lbs PVC 3-5 $1919
U9-SB ULTRA LITE 9' 50" 18" 75 lbs PVC 4 $1675
Star is the maker of the Bug and Ultra Bug as well as standard rafts. The bugs are supposed to behave more like catarafts since they have a lot of clearance. Check it out to see what I mean.

Vanguard

PSB-1104 11'4" 66" 16" 101 lbs PVC 4 $2395
PSB-1200 12' 73" 18" 114 lbs PVC 6 $2595
Vanguard makes two small rafts with a nice price. Unfortunately they are very heavy and would be difficult to carry for just two people.

This information is cited from www.whitewateraddiction.com and many or all Breckenridge Rafting outfitters use these manufacturers.

Rafts you will not see often during Colorado Whitewater Rafting

2009-06-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

You may come across two other types of rafts during a Colorado Whitewater Rafting expedition that are not used often called J-Rigs, Sweep boats, and Dories. 'J-rigs' are giant rafts that are very specialized passenger and gear haulers. J-rigs are constructed of huge pontoons and are often motorized. They're used by many of the commercial rafting companies in the Grand Canyon. Sweep boats are named for the two huge oars used to steer them. They're basically very large self bailers, but the oars extend out both ends of the craft, and steer the boat like rudders rather than extending out the sides to row as a normal self bailer does.

Sweep boats (or "sweeps") are commonly used by commercial outfitters on the Middle Fork of the Salmon (you'll rarely see them on other rivers). Their advantage is that they carry huge loads of camping gear and food for Colorado Whitewater Rafting expeditions that last longer than a few days.

Due to the huge displacement and surface area exposed to the current, they are the fastest non-motorized craft on the river. Their disadvantage is that they have no brakes! Trust that if you see one, the guide holding those big oars is both very courageous and very skilled!

Dories
While certainly not a raft, you may encounter wooden or fiberglass boats called Dories on the river. These craft seem to be more popular on certain rivers. While they may be more fragile, they are certainly maneuverable.

They seemingly can stop on a dime in significant current, giving their ‘driver’ time to adjust course, mid-rapid. And they are a pretty sporty ride! But on rocky rivers or later in the season at lower water levels a Dorie can be a liability.

Breckenridge Rafting Kayaks

2009-06-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Kayaks
Other forms of Breckenridge Rafting craft are worth mentioning. The obvious one is kayaks. These also come in two flavors; hard shelled kayaks made of various rigid plastics, and 'inflatable' kayaks, also known as "IK's" that are made of the same materials as rafts. Both types of kayaks are a lot of fun and have their vocal advocates. I'll just point out a little bit of trivia.
That is, while both groups share the river, hard shelled kayakers and rafters generally don't intermingle much. They are two different sports that share the same playing field. But some hard shell kayakers shun their inflatable brethren in IKs. So, ironically, inflatable kayakers tend to hang out with the rafters. I guess it's the materials that are alike that bring a kayaker and rafters together in some cases.

Colorado Whitewater Rafting and what is an R2?

2009-06-29T14:35:00.001-07:00

What's an ‘R2’?
You might hear the term "R2" mentioned in the context of Colorado whitewater rafting. This refers to a paddle raft being paddled by just two people. They usually sit shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the raft, each paddling a side. Of course, they can sit anywhere they want. The term R2 implies a sportier version of paddle rafting since it is more challenging to maneuver the boat when there are just two people aboard.
R2's came from the idea of kayaks and canoes for the simple reason of wanting something new and ingenuity on the rivers. Of course the R2's come after the larger rafts design for those people who take Colorado Whitewater Rafting to higher levels and extremes compared to a large group on a self bailer for a trip.

Raft speeds for Colorado River Rafting

2009-06-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Differences in Raft Speed
Most of the paddle strokes that a paddle raft crew takes to steer the raft propel the raft forward. Therefore paddle rafts move down the river faster than other rafts. Self bailers are next fastest. Fully loaded self bailers carry a lot of momentum and offer a lot of surface area to the river. So friction with the water causes them to be dragged along easily by the current. Since it's a lot more work to fight against these factors, the steering strokes that the person at oars takes are usually forward strokes.

The raftman just tries to adjust the direction or vector of the rafts natural movement down the river during Colorado River Rafting. It may be surprising to know that catarafts are usually the slowest at traveling down the river as they offer less surface area for friction and are so light that it is easy for the oarsman to pull back, arresting the momentum. For these reasons, rookie oarsmen in catarafts are usually at the back of any group of rafts.

Paddle Rafts for Colorado Whitewater Rafting

2009-06-29T14:07:00.002-07:00

Paddle Rafts
Self bailers can be set up with a rigid metal (or on rare occasions, wood) frame that rests across the top of the raft, to which oar locks are mounted and oars attached. The other configuration is to leave the frame and oars at home and just use paddles. So the term 'paddle raft' refers to this other set up. It's just a term for a self bailer that is set up with inflated seats known as 'thwarts' for passengers to sit on. This image shows set up for both with mounted oars in the back, and in the front people using paddles.

Passengers are obligated to row, or more accurately, paddle the boat down the river. While this means work for the passengers, it makes for a very entertaining, social (and usually wet) ride! Most commercial river guides services for Colorado Whitewater Rafting run paddle boats to give the paying clients the full immersion experience.

The normal configuration for a paddle boat is to have a 'captain' sitting at the rear of the boat shouting orders to the crew and using her paddle to steer or make fine adjustments to speed and direction. The 'crew' is the rest of the passengers, with half of them paddling on one side and the other half paddling on the other making a Colorado Whitewater Rafting experience memorable.

Breckenridge Rafting and using a Cataraft

2009-06-29T14:07:00.001-07:00

Someone asked us this question in their search for rafts. "I am looking for advice on the purchase of a cataraft or maybe a raft, but not sure if its ideal or not?? Does anyone have any input on cats or rafts?" Answer: Cats are for maneuverability-small loads and is ideal for whitewater rafting and fishing. A raft is for large loads and more people so it is up to your trip details that determine a cat or a raft.

Cats are far more maneuverable than self bailers but carry less weight. They're the sports cars of a Breckenridge Rafting trip. And like sports cars, they carry fewer passengers, but provide a lot of fun for the driver. If you're new to rafting, you would be well advised to consider buying a cataraft as your first raft. Their maneuverability will help you recover when you misjudge a rapid, and of course they are just plain fun.

When you plan a Breckenridge Rafting trip, a cataraft is the ideal raft for a day trip. And cats are also ideal for high water or extreme multi-day trips when each participant will row their own raft.

There is a unique description to know when sizes of cats are discussed. Sizes of catarafts are described as pairs of dimensions separated by "X", like "12X20", "16X24". The first number is the length in feet, and the second number is the diameter of the pontoons in inches. So a cat that is 12X20 is 12 feet long with pontoons or "tubes" as they are referred to that are 20 inches in diameter.

Colorado River Rafting on a Self Bailer Raft

2009-06-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Some of the best rafts in the world are constructed of Ferrari's patented Preconstraint PVC fabric and urethane AIREcells, they set the standard for durability, performance and innovation. Aire is one of the companies who carry's one of the best.

Types of rafts are:
* Self Bailers
* Catarafts
* Paddle Rafts
* Differences in Boat Speed
* What's an ‘R2’?
* Kayaks
* J-Rigs and Sweep Boats
* Dories

Let's start with the Self Bailer and we will explain the rest in other articles. So how can a whitewater raft bail water out of itself? Well, an ingeniously simple design makes it happen. You see, the floor of a self bailing raft is a wide flat inflated chamber, sort of like a big air-mattress. The edges of the floor are stitched or laced to the rest of the raft.

When inflated, the floor is about 4 or 5 inches thick, so the top surface of the floor floats above the surface of the water. When water splashes into the boat, it flows across the floor, down over the edge, and out through the lacing. This design works amazingly well. A self bailer filled to the brim with water will proceed to empty itself in just a few seconds on a Colorado River Rafting trip.

If you've ever bailed water out of a raft, you know how sweet it is to have a self bailer. In fact, if you float with someone who has an older non-self-bailing raft (known as a 'bucket boat' for the obvious trait - it retains water), you get to stop and wait for them to bail at the bottom of each major rapid. So, nowadays, when someone says 'raft', they are usually talking about a self bailer. If they say they've got a 'bucket boat', well, too bad for them.

Self bailers are the work horses on a raft trip in Colorado River Rafting because they can carry a lot of gear and passengers. Popular sizes are from 13 - 18 feet long, with 14 feet probably a minimum for carrying the gear and two adults on a multi-day raft trip. 15-16 feet is ideal, and 18 footers are nice to have on larger rivers. From a performance standpoint, rowing a self bailer is more like driving a bus. So the longer the raft, the slower it is to maneuver. And the performance of any raft is diminished if it's overloaded, pressing it deeper into the water.

Where is your river for a Breckenridge Rafting trip?

2009-06-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for nothing less than the best Colorado whitewater rafting experience, your search is over. Breckenridge Rafting offers the highest quality outdoor adventure packages in the Rocky Mountain region. We take pride in providing our guests with the best service in the industry and with the best equipment available. Our years of experience and our unmatched professionalism will clearly set us apart when you allow Breckenridge Rafting by Raftmasters to guide your next Colorado white water rafting excursion.

The most dedicated, most skilled, and most enthusiastic outdoor professionals anywhere eagerly await your arrival so that we may escort you on the outdoor adventure of a lifetime. Let our Colorado whitewater rafting guides show you an unforgettable adventure.

Breckenridge Rafting by Raftmasters offers trips on 5 rivers in central Colorado. We offer Colorado whitewater rafting trips ranging from mild, scenic floats to fun, family-style whitewater to some of the most advanced Class IV & V rafting challenges in the U.S.

Colorado River Rafting and a comparison between Natural Flow Rivers and Dam controlled rivers

2009-06-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Featured article from USA today reporter Laura Bly
Edited by Whitewater Times
Good snow pack from this winter does not mean good river levels for Colorado River Rafting. Let me explain. We basically have two types of river-dependent factors to consider in the situation. Dam controlled rivers and natural flow rivers.

Earlier posts have talked about rivers across the nation changing over to dam controlled levels, in which certain river flows are guaranteed throughout the summer months. In general, good snow-pack and snow run-off are a good thing for dam controlled rivers. It means more water in the reservoir, and will continue to leave plenty of water flow throughout the coming years.

Natural flow rivers are a different story for Colorado River Rafting and other things we do on our rivers. Lets take a look at the Western U.S. as an example. The image here shows the current snow-pack levels across the various regions in the West. These numbers are a "percentage of normal", meaning that anything close to 100 is a very good thing, and anythin over 100 means higher-than-normal levels. Many locations that feed large rivers have over 100% snowpack for the season (still). But the weather still plays an important factor as to whether the snow will produce high, constant water levels or not.

Even with a good winter, if the weather heats up too fast, you run into flooding and fast run-off. So essentially, you would have a nice spring rafting season, followed by normal (or even below normal) water levels for the rest of the season. So it really still depends on mother nature and the transitional temperature from winter to spring to summer. Also, during the transition from spring to summer and during summer the decisions made to release water from reservoir reserves made from snow pack compared to how much rain we receive during the summer effecting the natural flow rivers.

Raft speeds for Colorado River Rafting

2009-06-27T13:37:00.001-07:00

Paddle Rafts for Colorado Whitewater Rafting

2009-06-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Breckenridge Rafting and using a Cataraft

2009-06-27T10:33:00.001-07:00

Cats are far more maneuverable than self bailers but carry less weight. They're the sports cars of a Breckenridge Rafting trip. And like sports cars, they carry fewer passengers, but provide a lot of fun for the driver. If you're new to rafting, you would be well advised to consider buying a cataraft as your first raft. Their maneuverability will help you recover when you misjudge a rapid, and of course they are just plain fun.

When you plan a Breckenridge Rafting trip, a cataraft is the ideal raft for a day trip. And cats are also ideal for high water or extreme multi-day trips when each participant will row their own raft.

There is a unique description to know when sizes of cats are discussed. Sizes of catarafts are described as pairs of dimensions separated by "X", like "12X20", "16X24". The first number is the length in feet, and the second number is the diameter of the pontoons in inches. So a cat that is 12X20 is 12 feet long with pontoons or "tubes" as they are referred to that are 20 inches in diameter.

Colorado River Rafting on a Self Bailer Raft

2009-06-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Where is your river for a Breckenridge Rafting trip

2009-06-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Colorado River Rafting and a comparison between Natural Flow Rivers and Dam controlled rivers

2009-06-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

Colorado River Rafting water levels

2009-06-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Check out river levels for Colorado at this hot link for stats that really dial you in to what is going on with the river levels for around 280 points at major rivers for Colorado River Rafting and any water hobbies you do on the rivers. You get the full stats from graphs to info on feet of water for every major river.
Real-time data typically are recorded at 15-60 minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events. Data from real-time sites are relayed to USGS offices via satellite, telephone, and/or radio and are available for viewing within minutes of arrival.

River Rafting Paddling Terms

2009-06-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here are many paddling terms to consider when whitewater rafing the rivers!

Atomic Launch - launching from a ledge above a river by sliding down the bank and droping into the water.

Boat-Eater - A "monster hole" in a rapid, big enough to swallow a boat. Also known as a bus-stopper.

Boil - swirly or unpredictable currents pushing (boiling) to the surface. Usually caused by rocks pushing the water to the surface.

Bony - run or rapid requiring lots of maneuvering because of the abundance of obstacles, mostly rocks.

Boof - driving your boat for a mini-launch over a shallow ledge or rock.

Brace - paddling technique using downward and sweeping strokes to stabilize a tipping canoe or kayak.

Broach - occurs when a canoe or kayak becomes caught in the current against an obstruction and turned sideways. Can result in severe damage as the current's force warps the boat around the obstruction.

C.F.S. - Cubic Feet per Second. Measurement of velocity of water flow at a given point in a river. Will vary according to water level and gradient of riverbed.

Carnage - general term for a mishap, as in a boat flipping or someone falling out.

Chicken Line - Straps on the sides of a raft for clients to hold on to if they get scared. Use caution as it can entrap arms and legs in a flip.

Class I-VI - international scale of river difficulty classification system for negotiating the difficulty of fast-moving water. Class I is the easiest and Class VI the most difficult.Confluence- the junction of two rivers or forks of a river.

Control Hand- "fixed" hand, left or right, depending on the offset of the blades on a kayak paddle. Left hand paddles are more difficult to obtain.

Curler - a large wave, usually at the bottom of a drop, with a crest that spills upon its upstream slope. May be a surfing wave.

Drop - a short, well-defined rapid or section of a rapid. Named for the abrupt drop in elevation between the top and bottom of the rapid.

Eddy - area of usually calm water behind or downstream of an obstruction in the main current, where water flows counter to that of the main current.

Eddy Out - term used to describe leaving the main current and entering an eddy.

Eddy Line - a current differential between the upstream current of the eddy and the downstream current of the main flow of the river.

Ender - a play maneuver enacted by nosing the boat's bow down and deep and the stern up, which results in the boat popping vertically upward. Good fun!!

Ferry - a maneuver used to cross a current with little or no down stream travel. Utilizes the current's force to move the boat sideways.

Float Bag - the most common form of floatation in canoes and kayaks.

Gauge Height - for measuring water levels at one or more locations. Reference point used with CFS (or in lieu of).Grab Loop - grab-handle threaded through bow/stern stems of a kayak or canoe. Useful as carry-handles and for catching swimmers.

Gradient - refers to the steepness of a riverbed over a specified distance, usually per mile. Along with CFS and water level information, this helps paddlers draw a conclusion of a river's difficulty. See CFS and Class I-VI.

Hair - dangerous and difficult water.Hair boating - paddling in dangerous and difficult whitewater.

Haystacks - big standing waves in a wave "train" following a drop.

Headwall - steep cliff where the main channel of the river drives against it at a 90-degree angle.

Highside - when you broach on a rock with a raft everyone moves to the highside to push it back down so it won't wrap around the rock.

Hole - a hole is created when the river current drops over a rock or ledge and circulates instead of continues its downstream flow. A significant feature because it either offers play opportunities or danger of trapping, depending on the power of the hole.

Horizon line - usually indicative of a falls or steep drop. There is a line, but the route, if there is one, is not apparent. Time to exit and scout.

Hydraulic - water formation following a sudden drop in the riverbed or drop over an obstruction that creates a powerful circulating force at the base of a drop. The circulating pressure of a powerful hydraulic can hold boats and paddlers for indeterminate lengths of time.

Hypothermia - the cold water hazard for paddlers. Prolonged exposure can lead to incapacitation and eventually death as body core temperature drops below 80 degrees.

Lilly-dipper - a weak paddler.

Maytag - stuck in a hole and thrashed about as if in a washing machine. Usually not fun!

Mystery move - usually a squirt boat move that is a lengthy disappearance under water then reappearance to the surface downstream in an entirely different location. Fun, especially when intentional!

New Yorker - a client who whines and complains.Peel out - term used to describe leaving an eddy and entering the main current; bow catches the main current and quickly swings the boat downstream. A downstream lean is needed to counter act the current.

PFD - Personal Floating Device. The proper name for a Life Jacket per Coast Guard definition. It is required by law for every passenger of all water craft and your most important life-saving tool.

Pillow - water that builds up around a rock in the main current. Pillows are stuffed with rock.Pin - being stuck between the current and the river bed or an obstruction such as a rock or log and unable to dislodge. Not fun; possibly deadly!

Pirouette - while popping vertical in a kayak during an "ender", the paddler reaches a paddle blade to the water then effects a vertical boat-and-paddler spin with it.

Portage - term for carrying boats and gear around a difficult rapid or from lake to lake.Put-in - starting place of a river trip; where you put your boat on the river to begin a run or trip.Ramp - point in a rapid where water constricts/pools before dropping downstream through a channel.

River left - the left-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your right.

River right - the right-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your left.Roll - a move requiring a paddle stroke and body snap to right oneself from a tip over while staying in the boat. Common techniques are the Sweep and the Eskimo rolls.

Roostertail - spray of water that explodes off a submerged rock or obstacle.

Shuttle - the most dangerous part of the trip. Driving between the put-in and take-out. One-vehicle shuttles require logistical foresight using options such as biking, walking, hitchhiking, etc., to return to the put-in.

Side surf - a play move in a hole in which a paddler uses counter balancing forces of downstream current and upstream hydraulic.

Spray skirt - or spray deck. A neoprene or nylon accessory that fits around the waist of the paddler and the cockpit lip of a canoe or kayak for a watertight closure.

Squirt boat - extremely low-volume (small, flat) kayak that uses the underwater river currents for playing.

Standing waves - big waves that often indicate the main channel.

Strainer - current clogged with tree branches or debris that allows the water to flow through but could pin you or your boat. Very Dangerous!

Take-out - ending point of a paddling trip; where the boats are finally taken from the water.
Technical - describes the character of a rapid that requires skillful maneuvering because of frequent obstructions. Also describes specific, difficult-to-master paddling techniques.

Throw bag - rescue device incorporating a 60 ft. floating rope coiled inside a nylon bag, to be thrown while holding one rope end.

Tongue - a smooth downstream V indicating the route through a rapid.

Undercut - an overhanging rock or ledge with water flowing underneath it. A serious hazard!

Waterfall - major drop in a riverbed, usually over six feet in height.

Wave train - A series of standing waves or runout of a rapid. Also called "haystacks".

Wrap - to wrap your boat around a rock or obstacle. Countered by leaning into the rock or highsiding a raft.

More Whitewater rafting Termonology River Rafting Terms Home

Whitewater Rafting Safety Tips and Information

2009-06-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

Planning a Raft Trip? Rafting Safety Tips to Help You Choose:

Whitewater rafting continues to grow in popularity. Like so many outdoor activities, people tend to forget that whitewater rafting necessarily entails an element of risk due to the elements of nature. In fact, some might point out that because of the inherent thrill seeking element of whitewater rafting, the sport includes a greater-than-average risk factor.

Whitewater rafting outfitters all over the world have their own unique risks in the trips that they provide. These can range from the easily treatable (someone catches sick on a trip) to the incredibly and exotically dangerous (a rogue hippo attacking rafters on the Zambezi in Zimbabwe). There are several dangers that are involved in all whitewater expeditions, however, no matter how short or how long, or where you are in the world. Here are some tips when it comes to making sure that your expedition is as successful and safe as possible.

Prepare Beforehand: If you have never been on whitewater rafting trip before, don't try to shoot the moon on your first trip out. Having a rafter who is unfamiliar with the water is a guide's worst nightmare, so make sure that if you are going on an advanced run that you are secure in your swimming ability. You should also be honest with yourself and the outfitter you are going with when it comes to your physical ability; not all people can expect to be able to run Class V rapids all day, due to lower physical health.

Listen to Your Guide! Guides that work for whitewater rafting outfitters are experienced and educated outdoors enthusiasts who know exactly what they are doing and what to expect on the rivers they run. Despite this fact, many people still presume that they know better than their guide what to do out on the river. Don't make this mistake. Consider that most guides have specialty training that the average person, even the average outdoors enthusiast, will not have the chance to obtain. Guides who run the Colorado River for River Runners in the Colorado, for example, are required to take Swiftwater Rescue training when they take rafters down Class IV or higher sections of rapids.

Betty, of W.E.T. River Trips in California, mentions that guides are also able to help rafters avoid stress injury by offering paddling techniques. "Men and women guides often have different styles of paddling", so be sure to use the one that is appropriate to your strengths!

Select Age-Appropriate Trips: Most whitewater rafting trips are available to people of all ages, but both parents of young children and senior citizens should choose the type of rapids they tackle according to realistic criteria. Eileen Datka of River Runners, an outfitter based in Colorado, points out that their trips are limited to people four years old or forty pounds. Kids in this group are restricted to the Class III rapids, and most parents will probably agree that this is more than sufficient for a thrill.

Duke Bradford, of Arkansas Valley Adventures (also in Colorado) notes that his company offers several trips for children as young as two, as long as they are accompanied by their parents. Several outfitters agree with this perspective and offer float trips along easy Class I and II rapids that even young families can enjoy.

Outfitters also note that even older kids might not be suited to all runs. For example, both River Runners and W.E.T. River Trips in California state that during high water, the minimum age on Class IV rapids should be 16 years. Betty of W.E.T. takes the age limit one step further, encouraging those under the age of 18 to defer from going on trips that involve a lot of Class V water.

Safety comes first in any outdoor recreational activity, and whitewater adventures are certainly no exception. To make sure that you have the most enjoyable excursion possible, follow the steps above and contact the outfitter you are going to use before hand to see if they have any additional advice.
(Source: www.raftinfo.com)

Welcome to Cañon City, Colorado - The Royal Gorge

2009-06-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Cañon City, Colorado and the Royal Gorge - The Royal Gorge region is located just 2-hours south of Denver and 45-minutes southwest of Colorado Springs in Cañon City, Colorado. The Royal Gorge is host to a number of world class activities and attractions. We're fortunate to be home to the scenic and historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad, considered one of the most spectacular scenic railroads in the world. The railroad prides itself on providing both a spectacular scenic rail journey through the Royal Gorge and offers exceptional service. The railroad carries over 100,000 guests each year in 6 different classes of service. We've put together walking tours of historic downtown as well as historic homes that you may download and bring with you for your visit to Canon City.

Located just outside Canon City is the Royal Gorge Bridge - the world's tallest suspension bridge. If you wish to fly into the Royal Gorge, fly in a jet powered helicopter with Royal Gorge Helitours. The Arkansas River offers the most popular royal gorge rafting trips in Colorado, and the award winning Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is one of Colorado's most popular wineries. Below is a short video showing some of the spectacular scenery found in the Royal Gorge from the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. We've listed below the most popular activities in the Royal Gorge region. While you're here, discover our historic downtown with many shops, restaurants and galleries. Remember that if you're riding the train and planning on staying overnight, click here to view hotel partners that offer Royal Gorge Route guests the lowest rate available.

A Rogue Meeting of top outfitters: Whitewater Raftingecologically

2009-06-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

By Lynn Seldon
Edited by Whitewater Times

It’s 7am and I’m already sitting in a meeting talking about my Mother, as in Mother Nature with top outfitters from all over the U.S.
I thought I was just going to enjoy a four-day paddle on Oregon’s Rogue River and chat with some rogue paddling company owners about their various Whitewater Rafting and offerings.
We weren’t supposed to meet until nine, but we’d gotten a bit behind on the agenda the night before and they didn‘t want to miss a mid-morning put-in on the Rogue. I’m attending this annual meeting as an “embedded reporter” to learn more about Adventure Gateway, a consortium of high-quality paddling companies. They get together once a year to paddle some of America’s top rivers and to discuss business practices--both good and bad. They’ve promised me full access to them during their formal (and many informal) meetings--including much discussion about the environment and eco-tourism.

Before I’m finished my first cup of coffee, they‘re covering serious ground about the environment--including river lunches for dozens of rafters that leave no trace, attaining “Wild & Scenic“ river status (the Rogue has it), and building environmentally sensitive lodging options on budget. These men and women take river running and the health of their rivers (and businesses) very seriously.

Several Adventure Gateway companies have developed ecologically sensitive lodging options (Class VI River Runners in West Virginia is the most recent), while others have worked for years to keep rivers clean and free from excessive development. For instance, Echo River Trips owners Dick Lindford and Joe Daly were heavily involved (as was paddler- and river-focused Patagonia) in achieving Wild & Scenic status for the Tuolumne (Joe served as president of the Tuolumne River Preservation Trust for 11 years), while Wildwater founder Jim Greiner successfully pursued similar status for the Chattooga (he started his company the same year the feature film, Deliverance, was released).

I’m fascinated about their open nature in discussions of specific financial matters and ideas (both dollars and sense)--all in the hope of finding “nuggets” they can use in their own companies and rivers. For instance, before we break to hit the Rogue, Dee Holladay, founder of Holiday Expeditions, provides an overview of their “Journey with Our River Sage” program. For this popular offering, lucky paddlers get to spend quality time on a river with Dee, a 45-year whitewater veteran. With hundreds of years of whitewater experience in the room, this is a nugget several other company owners (and river sages) will be copying.

Some of these long-time owners obviously hoped to find a nugget or three from Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, in that several coincidentally brought along Let My People Go Surfing for some late-night homework by lantern light.

Many outfitters will be following this group of idea makers for the future planning and trip offerings for environmental considerations within their business plan in river rafting expeditions.

Whitewater Rafting - Thrills, Chills, and Affordable

2009-06-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

By Jarrard Keenson

Doesn't matter if you are by yourself or if you have a large group of 200, finding an excursion that is enjoyable and affordable for everyone can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to plan a great trip in light of bankrupt airlines, high fuel prices, and increases in the day-to-day cost of living. Many citizens in the United States don't have quite the amazing opportunities that Californians do when it comes to getting out and doing something that is new, exciting, and affordable. This may be the reason why 36,500,000 citizens make California their residence.

Within only a day's drive from any of the beautiful borders of California is the graceful South Fork of the American River, a breathtaking 21-mile stretch of class III whitewater. Gold was discovered here, and it is the home of the great migration westward. Groups ranging in size from one to two hundred can come together for up to three days of fun, great food, and quiet nights around the bonfire.

Your choice of trip can be an all inclusive 3-day 2-night sleepover or a 1 day trip that gives you the freedom to hop on the river and raft for a few hours. During the three day trip, you can experience two different lengths of beautiful river and all your meals and travel are included.

Your daytime camping guide will often prepare and serve you a wonderful dinner if you are participating in an overnight trip. Evening chats around the campfire and sleeping in a tent under the clear starlit skies of the Sierra Nevada Foothills is what you can expect. When you wake your breakfast will be waiting on you, again prepared for you by our hospitable staff and, as with all our delicious meals, vegetarians and meat lovers alike will find an expansive choice at our impressive morning buffet.

Your trip leader will give you directions for your exciting day of whitewater rafting. As you float down the river, expect to see historical artifacts, animals, and plants you won't see anywhere else. You might even see some rare wildlife such as the river otter. You'll need to participate in some light rowing activity, paddling together with other crew members in order to navigate the river under the supervision of your guide. But being a body builder is not required.

The lovely American River South Fork has some of the most well known rapids in the world, including the Meat Grinder, Trouble Maker, and Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar. You can hang on during the big rapids and enjoy their power while having fun! If you choose a three-day adventure, you will spend the third day visiting the Middle Ford of the American, where there are larger Class IV rapids that require paddling.

You will want to prove to others that you survived the class IV rapids while whitewater rafting, so make certain that you go to the photo shop when you arrive back at base camp. You won't want your time to end, so you can spend your last minutes of this fantastic getaway with all your new-found friends, exchanging e-mails and promising to reunite next year. That's why this is the site of one of the most affordable, accessible, and exciting vacations you will ever experience.

As a father and scout leader, Jarrard Keenson is constantly trying to find fun, outdoor, family-friendly activities. The best summer activities he found is American river whitewater rafting, an over-night excursion that includes a whitewater rafting trip down the American river south fork. The American river whitewater rafting prices are reasonable and adventurous.

Meeting Friends through Whitewater Rafting

2009-06-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in meeting people who have the same interests as you? There are a lot of times it is difficult to find someone who has the same hobby as you. If you are a whitewater rafting enthusiast, but your family hates the out of doors or refuses to do something they consider dangerous you can still go white water rafting.

White water rafting Royal Gorge is a great way to meet people who share the same interests as you, especially river rafting. You can find a whole new group of friends to enjoy your hobby with. They may even decide to share in getting a raft so you can take trips with out a guide. I recommend before taking trips by yourself at least having a guide on the river the first time so you know more about the river.

Also when you are meeting new people through Colorado river rafting you may just find they are wanting to take trips internationally, not just whitewater rafting Colorado River. You can then find people to go on more adventures on different rivers around the world.

Meeting new people while Colorado whitewater rafting is an adventure by itself. You may find you meet friends for life or you might find a few new acquaintances to get you out of the house and on some pretty awesome adventures.

When you have a hobby in common it is very easy to strike up a conversation and learn more about your raft mates. Consider taking a day trip or a longer rafting trip to meet new friends. Day trips will often include lunch whether you bring it or the company supplies it. This is a great way to seek out conversations while talking about the part of the river you have just come through. You can gain knowledge about others experience as well as divulging your own.

As a hobby you have the potential to meet others when you go white water rafting Colorado River style. It is important that you keep to your level of expertise or below your level depending upon the rest of the group once you strike out on your own when river rafting. You should never take a trip that is above your difficulty level with out a guide present. An adventure as awesome as Colorado white water rafting deserves respect while you are having the best time.

US takes 6th in World Raft Championships

2009-06-08T16:23:00.001-07:00

The US Team trained throughout the winter by paddling a raft full of rocks in a pool, and tying it off to a giant bungee cord...
While they had all the best intentions of bettering their sixth-place showing from the last world championships two years ago, and 3rd-place overall finish from Ecuador in 2005, the US Men’s Rafting Team could only match their showing in South Korea by stroking to a sixth-place overall finish on the 31-km Class III-IV Vrbas River and Tara River at this year’s World Rafting Championships in Bosnia, a real Whitewater Rafting challenge.

The US team, led by Chris “Mongo” Reeder, reached the mark with a fifth-place finish in the Time Trial event; second-place showing behind Great Britain in the Head to Head Sprint; sixth-place finish in the Downriver portion; and disappointing 13th-place finish in the final Slalom event.

“It’s tough because we hoped we’d do better,” says Reeder, whose team trained throughout the winter by paddling a raft full of rocks in a pool, and even tying it off to a giant bungee cord. “We felt ourselves getting stronger each week while training, but the Bosnia course is a Class III-IV section with a lot of flatwater pools, and we’ve always had an advantage on tougher runs because of our background running steeper rivers. Plus, our team this year had all of the power we had before with 60 pounds less weight.”

Alas, the combination wasn’t enough. Instead, it was powerhouse Brazil surging to first place for the second Championships in a row, with a win in the Time Trial, fifth-place finish in the Head-to-Head Sprint, second-place finish in Downriver and sixth-place showing in Slalom. Japan took the runner-up seat, riding a first-place finish in Slalom and 3rd-place finish in the Time Trials to the podium, followed by Great Britain in third, thanks to a gold-medal performance in the Head-to-head event. Russian and the Czech Republic took 5th and 6th, respectively, with the US trailing in 6th. It's a respectable place, but not good enough for Whitewater Rafting, but we want to be first.

The US women’s team, also out of the Vail, Colo., area, finished two spots back in 8th place overall, with a 7th-place showing in the Time Trial and Sprint event, and two 9th-place finishes in Downriver and Slalom. For the women, it was Canada taking first with a win in the Slalom and 3rd-place showings in the Time Trial and Sprint; followed by Japan in 2nd, riding its 1st-place finish in Downriver to the podium, and the Czech Republic in third.

Colorado River Rafting and EddyFlower’s Vertical Challenge

2009-06-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Article from Paddling Life Magazine
edited by Whitewater Times

Participants in First Descents getting wet on the Colorado for Colorado River Rafting and around the world.
"We're stoked...it's a great way to raise funds for our mission, while encouraging people to get out and paddle." --First Descents founder Brad Ludden

Now you can get your adrenal glands flowing while getting cash flowing for a good cause.

EddyFlower has teamed up with First Descents for the Third Annual EddyFlower Vertical Challenge, which runs from May 15 through June 15 on rivers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Created as a fundraiser to aid the fight against cancer by garnering donations for First Descents, a Colorado-based charity organization that focuses on young adults with cancer, the event inspires paddlers to paddle as many river runs as they can over the 32-day period for pledged donations. In addition to raising money for First Descents, the paddlers compete for prizes ranging from a seven-day trip to Panama with Boquete Outdoor Advenures for the person who raises the most donations, to a brand new Fluid Solo Kayak to the person who paddles the most vertical feet.

"We're stoked," says First Descents founder Brad Ludden. "It's a great way to raise funds for our mission, while encouraging people to get out and paddle."

The Annual EddyFlower Vertical Challenge is open to all paddlers (kayakers, rafters, canoers and riverboarders) from all states. Teams of up to five people can register online at www.eddyflower.com to compete in one of six divisions (Open, Class V, Class IV, Class III, Weekend Warrior and Women’s) that best match your team’s skill level. Contestants can track the progress of their team and others on the website, where qualifying river runs and other contest rules are available. All funds raised go to First Descents, a non-profit organization that provides whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure experiences to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer.

Seventeen sponsors are supporting the event with $17,000 in products and contributions for prizes. In the 2008 Vertical Challenge 48 teams totaling 200 competitors ran more than 1,420,000 total feet while raising more than $28,117 for First Descents.

Founded in the summer of 2001 by professional kayaker Brad Ludden, First Descents has grown from one camp in Vail, CO representing Colorado River Rafting to nine planned camps this summer in six different states. Ludden continues to be the driving force and inspiration behind the charity, donating much of his time to helping run day-to-day operations as well as instructing at camps each summer.

Mongos tips for Colorado River Rafting and anywhere ....

2009-06-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Article from Paddling Life Magazine
edited by Whitewater Times

Mongo’s Tips on Getting Started

“I’ve seen a thousand different approaches to getting beginners down a river, be it Colorado River Rafting or anywhere. Some fail to train their crews properly and then blame the guests when things go wrong. Others feel every guest is looking for a near-death experience. Then you have the screamers, who yell at their guests to motivate them—they live by the creed, ‘The beatings will continue until the paddling improves!’

“Be calm and train your crew until you’re comfortable with them. Crews will generally reflect your own mental state. Panic equals panic. When I’m hiring new guides I’ll generally look for the ones who are having the most fun. If a guide is having a good time, so are the guests.

“Getting paid to make sure people have a good time on the river is one of the best jobs ever. Some of my best crews have been first-timers who haven’t developed any bad habits yet. I love watching someone’s initial fear turn into excitement.

“Select a trip according to your fitness level rather than your prior experience: It’s frustrating to get a men’s lacrosse team signing up for a scenic float trip because they don’t have any experience when they’d have much more fun on something more aggressive.

“One thing I’ve learned is that while a little bit of fear is a good motivator, a horrified guest is “baggage” and will quit paddling at the most inopportune times. Whenever I see the screamers in action I can’t help but think “and these people paid for this? So for any trip you plan whether it's a Colorado River Rafting trip or anywhere in the world follow some good advice here...

Colorado River Rafting and "Mongo"

2009-06-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

This article is from Paddling Life Magazine
edited by Whitewater Times...

“I don't remember where the nickname Mongo comes from. A friend started calling me that when we were guiding together in Boulder..."
Most people associate Mongo with that farting mongoloid on Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles. But as head raft guide for Vail, Colo.’s Timberline Tours, and captain of the U.S. Raft Team since 2001, Chris “Mongo” Reeder, 40, is better known for creating blazing paddles. He’s hoping his teams paddles will be blazin’ this week (May 17-23) as his team competes at the World Rafting Championships on the Vrbas River in Bosnia…

Growing up rafting in Maine and guiding rivers throughout the U.S. for more than 22 years, Mongo works on the Vail Ski Patrol during the winter, and runs a side business, Mongo Products, creating rescue and technical equipment for the adventure sports community (mongoproducts.com). But his heart returns to raft competition every spring, this year looking to better his team’s 6th-place showing in the Sprint event and 15th-place showing in Slalom at the 2007 World Championships in South Korea; and third-place overall finish at the 2005 World Championships in Ecuador -- the best finish by a U.S. Men’s team ever – which included a Gold Medal finish in Sprint.

PL caught up him before the trip overseas for some of his thoughts...

In His own Words

“We have two new members on the team since the last worlds in Korea. One is Seth Kurt-Mason, our alternate in Korea who has been paddling with the team for three or four years. The other is Joe Sialiano, who earned his spot on the team by competing with two others for the spot last summer; he was the best paddler from our competition at Nationals last spring). Our alternate is Andrew Bishop.

“We started our training in December and our trainer Topper Hagerman from Howard Head Sports Medicine has come up with a truly sadistic program.

“One thing we did different this year was getting on water twice a week through the winter. With the Worlds held early this year it was crucial to get time in the boat. Gym time and cardio is important, but nothing gets you prepared to paddle like paddling.

“For years our trainer has been dreaming up new ways to add resistance to our boat when on the river, like piling it full of weights or rocks. This year he had us paddling the raft in the pool at the local rec center with the back tied off to the diving board with a big bungee cord. The view never really changed but the resistance is incredible and we felt ourselves getting stronger each week.

“The Bosnia course is a Class III-IV section with a lot of flatwater pools. We’ve always had an advantage on tougher runs because of our background running steep Colorado River Rafting stints, but I think we’ve made some changes that will help us excel on rivers with a few more pools. Our team this year has all of the power we had before with 60 pounds less weight. That could be deadly.

“The biggest threats are the reigning World Champs Brazil, the Russians, the Czechs, the Germans, Canada and the Japanese. We’ll just have to see…but we’re feeling pretty good.

“I don't even remember where the nickname Mongo comes from. My old friend, Harlan, started calling me that when we were guiding together in Boulder and I was drunk most of those years.

What to bring on your Whitewater Rafting trip

2009-05-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

(Source: RaftInfo.com)

Whitewater rafting is a hugely popular sport, and it should come as no surprise to anyone who has felt the addiction that the rapids holds that there are more people discovering the thrill of whitewater every year. There are many companies that provide excursions down rivers across the world, and the United States and Canada are no exception.

The number of river rafting outfitters out there means that rafters have a lot of option when it comes to what they would like to do for their trip. A casual float down Class III rapids or a wild contest with Class Vs are available in almost every state and province. Every outfitter offers at least a five hour trip, with many offering anywhere up to week-long excursions to really explore the rivers across this continent. No matter how long a trip you are planning for, there are some essential items that you need to bring along in order to have the best experience possible.

Protection from the sun
Whether you are embarking on a trip that can be measured in hours or in days, the most important equipment to bring along are items that can protect you from the sun’s rays. Remember, you will be out on open water, and even though you may not feel the heat, there is little protection out there from the sun.

"Most of your efforts go into protecting yourself from the sun," states Michael, a guide with Holiday Expeditions, which runs rafting trips in Idaho on the Colorado, Green, Yampa, and San Juan Rivers and the Snake and Salmon Rivers . To that extent, he always tells rafters to make sure to bring along good sunscreen, a water bottle, and sunglasses.

Virtually every company we talked to agreed that the battle with the sun was the most crucial in deciding what to bring along. Jeff Proctor, of Jeff Proctor Class VI River Runners (which runs river trips down the New and Gauley Rivers of West Virginia, concurs with the basic list set out by Michael, and also adds that other weather considerations are crucial.

"For the shoulder season (when the weather begins to turn), bring a wet suit or paddling jacket."

Longer Trips
Both outfitters provide trips that will last for longer than one day, and for these trips some additional thought is needed when preparing your gear.

Proctor points out that foot gear is important. "Folks should come dressed for the river, with a shoe or sandal that can get wet and stay on your feet. You should still feel comfortable walking around on a sandy beach."

Sandy beaches are part of what makes packing for a two-day trip down the Holiday runs a lot easier; "With warm sandy beaches to camp on, you don't need much gear. A light weight tent, a basic sleeping bag and pad is all that you need," states Michael.

As for other equipment, well, both outfitters want to make sure that you always remember the trip, so in the words of Michael “Don’t forget your camera!”

What if you forget?
If you forget something on your checklist, or fail to make a checklist at all, there is no need to panic. Most rafting outfitters have stores at their expedition start-outs where they sell or rent out any equipment that rafters may need.

There is nothing quite like getting out and taking on nature in one of its most powerful forms, so make sure that before you hit the river you prepare for the trip. It’s guaranteed that your first time will not be your last!

MORE Rafting Info: Colorado River Rafting Outfitters | Whitewater Rafting Termonology | Home

Explore Colorado's most beautiful areas in a Raft!

2009-05-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon offers a unique view of one of the most popular natural wonders of the world. We invite you to "Take the Scenic Route" for a virtual rafting tour of the Royal Gorge and get a feel for the Arkansas River raft trip of a lifetime through one of Colorado's most beautiful areas.

Colorado river rafting offers fun and excitment for all ages. Not only do river rafting outfitters offer multiple rafting trips for all ages, they also offer the trips in conjuction with other events like wine tasting, train rides and overnight camping. If you have not gone river rafting in Colorado make sure you give it a try. My guess is you will be upset when you are done.

It is important to remember the Colorado Rafting Outfitters fill their schedule in advance. Make sure you call at least a few weeks ahead of time to ensure your group has the chance to share a raft. It is also important to know what to bring whitewater rafting. Water crashes over the raft numerous times regardless what difficulty rapids you are rafting on. Do not bring cameras or any other electronics that could get ruined if wet.

More articles on: Royal Gorge Rafting | Breckenridge Rafting | Home

Colorado River Rafting

2009-05-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

We are the thrill providers. If you enjoy the rush of fear from a horror movie! If you enjoy the thrill of mountain biking or running... that rush of exhilaration, whitewater rafting is another way to get it. If you enjoy mountain climbing it has a rush of adrenaline. If you enjoy skiing your getting adrenaline rushes. With Colorado River rafting you are getting those rushes every second as the water changes your movement and your mind adjusts to the roller coaster ride sliding you through the water's path.

Have you ever experienced whitewater rafting anywhere? If you have experienced Colorado River Rafting or whitewater rafting anywhere in the world we are looking for your stories to publish in blogs. We want the raw experience that can only be told by you from you and your group. How long you were in the water. Where you were. Who you were outfitting with. What was the memory of thrill after thrill.

I can remember my first time experiencing the ride that seems like yesterday as we were a raft of 4 thrown down the whitewater blasting against rocks, over rocks, past rocks... through waterfalls. At points it was like looking over the top of nothing like on a roller coaster looking out as you are on top of the climb before you can see the track and all you can see is open sky and you know you are about to drop. That feeling of adrenaline in your mind flowing into your head, throat, chest, and stomach reacting with your whole body of controlled bottled fear about to explode into an experience of exhilaration. You start going down the drop and you finally see a track of water and your gushing down shot fast as you free-fall with the water running into a flat plane of water dropping fifty feet ... what a rush and experience! Reply your experience to this article about your memories of exhilaration in Colorado River rafting or any whitewater trip around the world you have experienced. You may win a trip for your entry of your memorable ride!

Colorado Whitewater Rafting on the Royal Gorge

2009-05-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

Make sure to include whitewater rafting Royal Gorge in your next trip to Colorado! Echo Canyon River Expeditions offers a number of Royal Gorge rafting trips all of which take you deep in the heart of this incredible gorge over 1200 feet deep and under the famous Royal Gorge Bridge. You'll take on the big rapids of Sunshine Falls, Wall Slammer and Sledgehammer and many more on your Royal Gorge whitewater rafting experience.
This channel is a compilation of video highlights from the multiple Colorado whitewater rafting trips offered by Echo Canyon River Expeditions.

Echo Canyon has trips departing daily throughout the summer for Royal Gorge rafting. Choose half day or full day rafting trips, or for the adventure seekers we offer a double dose of Royal Gorge whitewater rafting on our Double Dip trip. Or try our smaller and more maneuverable Adrenaline Rafts; rafts exclusive to your party that make the big hits even bigger!

Whichever rafting trip you choose, your thirst for adventure is sure to be quenched. Your guides will also tell you about the rich history of the Royal Gorge train wars and help you spot the abundant animal life that call this rugged terrain home.

Whitewater rafting the Royal Gorge offers some of the most continuous rapids in the state of Colorado. It's important to determine if Royal Gorge rafting is the best option for you as we offer many trips on the Arkansas River and on other rivers throughout Colorado. Our reservationists are all whitewater enthusiasts who will help guide you to the perfect rafting trip for your family or group.

Learn more about Royal Gorge Rafting, and the many whitewater rafting packages available. Raft Royal Gorge with Echo Canyon River Expeditions for lasting memories to complete your next trip to Colorado! (800) 755-ECHO

(Source: Whitewater rafting royal gorge)

More Articles on : Royal Gorge Rafting | Raft Echo | Rafting Termonology

Raft the Royal Gorge w/ RaftEcho

2009-05-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for the best whitewater rafting experience in Colorado, look no further. At RaftEcho we have been operating in the Royal Gorge section of the Arkansas River for several years. We run rafting trips in the Royal Gorge daily, all through our season from mid-April to September. Our reservation lines are staffed from 8 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time, year round, in an effort to provide you with superior customer service.

Our whitewater rafting trips in the Royal Gorge promise to leave you in awe of not just the best white water you will find in Colorado, but also some of the most spectacular scenery you can find anywhere. The Gorge itself is a ten mile stretch with a nearly continuous seven mile section of the most exciting intermediate to advanced white water rapids that will leave you exhilarated! The river passes through 1100 foot canyon walls and right under the world famous Royal Gorge Bridge. Check out our Combos page for opportunities to package this exciting rafting adventure with tickets to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, the most popular attraction in the region, or the Royal Gorge Route railway, noted as the “most arresting train trip in all of American railroading”!

Experience You Can Trust!
At RaftEcho we have some of the most, if not the most, experienced guides on the river. Our dedicated guide staff is the reason we continue to boast of an outstanding safety record. Your comfort level with us is of paramount importance in the office, on the road and on the water. Our commitment to you and to the safety of your friends and family has always been our primary focus. You will find our reputation in the industry is simply second to none.

You can contact RaftEcho as 1-800-755-ECHO [3246] or make a Rafting Reservation

How to Prepare for your Breckenridge Rafting Trip

2009-05-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some important tips when preparing for your breckenridge rafting trip. Remember because it can be such an intense sport, being prepared is key to ensuring a safe whitewater rafting experience.

Step 1

Plan early for your Breckenridge rafting trip. Make sure you have maps of your destination and know exactly where you'll enter and exit the river. You may not have transportation back to your vehicle after you exit the river, so plan ahead.

Step 2

Know the ratings on the rapids you'll encounter along your course. If any rapids are too difficult for your crew to negotiate, make sure there's a means of getting around them. Ask rangers in the area or call the phone numbers on your river map for information.

Step 3

Pack properly for your trip and make sure everyone going knows exactly what they'll need and what they won't. Make sure people don't bring a lot of excess baggage, since room in the raft will be limited.

Step 4

Explain to people coming that they'll need very little clothing: a set of clothes for the day and a warm, dry set for the night. Each person needs a sleeping bag, personal gear (sunglasses, camera, toothbrush, etc.), a flashlight and very little else.

Step 5

Make sure you have enough tent space for everyone. Having an over packed raft is dangerous and should not be tolerated. The weight and balance of a raft is very important when going down the river. Do not jam too many people into your raft while breckenridge rafting.

Step 6

Plan out meals: a simple, light breakfast; snacks for the daytime and a good, warm meal for the night. Make sure your camping stove is in working order and has plenty of fuel.

Step 7

Make sure your raft is in good working order and that it has a first aid kit, enough life vests, a repair kit, an emergency signaling kit, extra rope and enough working oars and paddles.

Step 8
Develop checklists you can use every trip and then add things you forget. Have a personal gear checklist and distribute it to every member to ensure they bring all they need.

Hopefully these 8 tips will help you prepare for your breckenridge rafting trip. Remember to make sure you have a blast on your rafting trip, always be prepared!

Benefits of Heart Rate Training

2009-05-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

recently I reverted to some training strategies that I used while racing slalom.
While I am no longer striving to be the best slalom boater that I can possibly be,
I remember the overall benefits that training gave my creeking and freestyle boating.
A large part of it was using a heart rate monitor to train within certain ranges.
It's something that applies to every sport, and every level of fitness, with incredible benefits.

The main idea is to build a strong aerobic base, upon which you can build a larger capacity for work.
In whitewater, that means that you have the strenght to pull off the more difficult moves and the health to keep doing it.
There is in incredible amount of information on the internet and in books about his subject, so worth doing your own research. But, as a very quick introduction, consider these links.

Start with 220, then subtract your age, you'll get a good estimate of your max heart rate, which is how you then calculate your exercise zones

after you have copied your excercise zones down, you are ready to compare them to the chart that will help you figure out your exercise targets, which include ways to gain general fitness or peak conditioning.

if all that is too much, and you have never done any kind of focused training, try a couple of weeks training in the "moderate daily activity" and "weight management" zones. That will give you a healthy base upon which to build.

If you are an athlete, but have not paid attention to your HR, consider alternating days of Aerobic Training and the Anearobic Threshold training.

In addition to following doctors' advice, I have found that the best trick to making sure that I was not over working, and ready for more intense workouts, is by taking my heart rate every morning when I first woke. If it's faster than normal, then I need more rest and will modify my workout. If it's normal or getting a little bit slower, then I can keep working hard.

disclaimer: this is all based on my own experience. Everyone is different. Talk to a doctor before you go and workout.
(Source: Total Whitewater Fun)

Rafting Basics & Tips

2009-05-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

By Eugene Buchanan

Rafting
Can You Handle It?
Rafting’s a sport accomplished while sitting down. But don’t confuse it with couch surfing. If you’re in a paddleboat, the guide relies on you for power, meaning forward and reverse strokes on a moment’s notice. And the strokes have to count--you can’t be lazy when things get rough. Since rafts don’t have guardrails (or the ability to right themselves), swimming--while restricted with lifejacket and in current--is also a real possibility.

Essential Skills
Under the guidance of professionals, you’ll learn the difference between paddle and oar rafts, and such techniques as highsiding (jumping to the high side of the raft to avoid flipping), keeping the boat straight and rigging flip lines to right the boat in the event of a capsize. Your best bet: Sign up for a multiday trip, where you'll also learn the basics of river camping, including the age-old art of setting up the river toilet.

Gear Up
Tour operators usually provide everything you need, including wetsuits, lifejackets, paddles, and rafts. Don’t become a private river runner unless you have ample space to store your gear and the towing capacity (truck and/or trailer) to get it to the river. Aside from the raft and paddles (or frame and oars), other essentials include a pump, patch kit, and a throw rope and lifejackets for every participants. Other frills include coolers, cargo nets, and drybags.

Speak the Language
Class I-VI: An international scale of difficulty for rating rapids, with I being the easiest and VI being technically unrunnable.
Highside: Jumping to the "high" side of the raft to level it out and prevent capsizing when it's pinned against a rock or stuck in a hydraulic.
Self-bailer: A modern line of raft with an inflatable floor, allowing water that comes in to flow back out without the need for bailing.

Kayaking
Can You Handle It?
You don’t have to be in top-notch shape to kayak. After all, it’s a sport you do while sitting down. But you should have adequate upper-arm and shoulder strength (best accomplished with pull- and push-ups) and be able to hold your breath for the time it takes you to either roll or bail out. Other muscle groups to develop include the abdomen and lower back; during an average day, you’ll lean forward and backward more than you ever did as a kid on a seesaw.

Essential Skills
Few sports subject newcomers to the school of hard knocks more than whitewater kayaking. Unless you want to spend most of the day swimming, sign up for a lesson. The first day or two should be spent in a lake or pool, without any current, to introduce you to the underworld. Here you’ll learn such concepts as bracing, rolling, and most important, wet exiting. Once you have these basics under your belt, you graduate to moving water, where you’ll learn such techniques as eddy turns, peel outs, ferrying, and surfing.

Gear Up
Whitewater kayaking is gear intensive. The basic checklist reads: boat, paddle, sprayskirt, helmet and lifejacket. Then come the frills, including wetsuit, drytop, booties, pogies (gloves for cold weather), float bags (to displace water in case of a swim), throw ropes, and finally, a large net bag to store it all. Once you’ve acquired this mound of gear, it should last for years without the need for repairs or upgrades.

Speak the Language
Cartwheel: A new-school freestyle maneuver in which your boat rotates end-over-end while remaining in a hydraulic.
Eddy turn: Finding momentary sanctuary in the river’s slack water (usually found behind an obstacle).
Eskimo roll: Combining leverage from your paddle with a strong hip-snap to right yourself after capsizing.
Ferry: Making your way across the river while facing upstream, without losing any ground (often used for catching waves).
Peel-out: Coming out of an eddy back into the main current.

More Articles on: Whitewater Rafting Termonology | 10 Places to Whitewater Raft

An Overview of River Rafting

2009-05-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Whitewater rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of a lifetime. River rafters see breathtaking scenery, get great exercise, and experience terrific adventure. There are great places to go river rafting all over the world, but many of the best rivers for white-water rafting are here in the United States.

It’s a good idea to contact a licensed river rafting agency to plan a rafting trip. These agencies, found near most major rivers, provide trained guides and planned routes for rafting rides. Many agencies also provide training for novice river rafters. These services are especially good for people rafting for the first time.

River rafting has been a sport for decades. The person generally credited with inventing river rafting is Bill Dvorak. In 1969, Dvorak was the first person issued a river recreation outfitters license when he formed Dvorak Expeditions in Salida, Colorado. Dvorak created many of the safety guidelines and license requirements for equipment used in whitewater rafting. He came up with the idea of having guides lead rafting tours.

There are many great places to go white-water rafting in the United States. One of the most popular is the American River, which starts in the Sierra Nevada and splits into the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork before converging near Sacramento, CA. The American River provides a wide variety of river rafting experiences, from easy rapids for beginners to difficult stretches navigated by expert rafters.

Whitewater rapids are rated based on their level of difficulty. Water speed, currents, the amount of rocks, and other factors influence the river's rating. The easiest rivers to navigate are Class I; Class VI rivers are considered impossible to run. As equipment has become more advanced, many rivers previously defined as Class IV became Class V, and extremely skilled rafters have begun navigating them safely.

River rafting is a fun and challenging sport. A river rafting vacation is perfect for people who love challenges and being in the great outdoors.

Some of the Best Whitewater Rafting is in Colorado

2009-04-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

With the demand for the sport of whitewater rafting growing, outfitters like raftecho are a couple of many that have spread onto many different rivers at varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. This diversity in outfitters trips' on natures' rivers has provided travelers with many options to suit their desired trip needs. One of the most popular destinations for a whitewater thrill in Colorado is The Arkansas River. With 110 miles of whitewater from Leadville to Cañon City Echo Canyon River Expeditions run you from Buena Vista to Canon City...about 96 miles of the Arkansas. The Arkansas River offers many different trip variations to fit almost anyone's needs. Guests can choose from class II adventures to thrilling class IV multi-day trips for the more advanced paddlers, with many variations and options to choose from.

Whitewater Rafting in Colorado can be one of the most exciting vacation prospects of a lifetime! It is one of the greatest means of experiencing Colorado's backcountry, as almost anyone can participate in the sport, and most areas along Colorado's rivers are only accessible by rafting.

The sport of whitewater rafting has grown greatly over the years, growing in popularity as more travelers discover how much fun the sport of whitewater rafting is. Guests visiting Colorado for whitewater rafting typically expect an adventure element to their trip, along with the opportunity to experience Colorado's famed, pristine Rocky Mountain beauty. What better way than by raft and river?

Whitewater Rafting Colorado trips can be arranged for large groups to small groups of families and friends looking for some excitement. It is highly recommended that you call your prospective outfitter to discuss which trip is right for your group based on size of group, ability level of guests, and desired features of your trip. Any outfitter that provides online reservations should be looked into carefully. It is common for guests to choose trips that may not be conducive to the group make-up. Discussing your trip, and reservations with a qualified outfitter will help to ensure you are signing up for an appropriate trip. As with any sport there are inherent risks associated with rafting. So be forthcoming with your outfitter, and be honest about your own ability level to help your guide and outfitter provide you and your group with the safest trip possible.

The Arkansas River Rafting season begins on May 1st, and typically runs through the end of October. For the biggest whitewater, May and June are the months to visit as Colorado river rafting is receiving its peak snow melt, the primary source of river water in the Rocky Mountain west. When the water levels are high the water tends to be swift and cold, the features are big and powerful, and the thrill of running big water is there! It just doesn't get any more exciting than that and the Colorado Whitewater Rafting is definitely exciting! If you're a warm weather, and warmer water kind of person, then July through September is the ideal time of year to go rafting. Not only are the temperatures nicer, the water levels, size and frequency of the features are generally more user friendly too. July through September are the best months for first-time rafters, or groups with kids to get out and try rafting.

Advanced reservations are highly recommended as all outfitters operate on a space available basis. This guarantees you'll get on the trip you want for Breckenridge rafting and Royal Gorge Rafting, at a time that complements your schedule. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get wet!

Guides are an important part of your trip for Whitewater Rafting in Colorado. Royal Gorge Rafting -Breckinridge Rafting, make up only part of the greatest whitewater rafting in Colorado being some of the best in the country overall.

Colorado Whitewater Rafing

2009-04-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Go on a Colorado whitewater rafting excursion on the Arkansas River by checking out www.raftmasters.com to plan your fun for Colorado Whitewater Rafting. You can make your reservations, preview the online brochure, the packages, and plan a trip from and for a beginner to planning a trip for the experts. We're also the only Colorado whitewater rafting outfitter that requires, and provides, safety helmets on all trips. You will be impressed with their guide training program preparing your guides to safely guide you through the rough waters.

Colorado Royal Gorge, known worldwide as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas. In between the raft and the rail, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch on the banks of the Arkansas at our very own private landing. How can you pass up this inviting whitewater excursion of raftecho… This sure reads to be an adventure and on their homesite they have more descriptions to peak your interest. They not only have rafting expeditions, they also have a unique experience to ride a train alongside the rapids for any age. There is a unique combination of rafting and horseback riding. For the adrenaline junkies of whitewater rafting in Colorado and beyond you can dig into the water with your paddles by setting up an excursion through the rapids on two and four person rafts for a faster experience of the Colorado Whitewater Rafting. If you like dining and your wine you can enjoy the rapids with a stop for a relaxing dinner to finish the day at an evening’s stay at the Jewel of the Canyon B&B. Following your river trip indulge in fine French dining at Le Petit Chablis to include a three course meal and bottle of wine. Another choice is the rafting and scenery of a nine mile raft trip through the Arkansas River’s Bighorn Sheep Canyon with an afternoon at the world’s highest suspension bridge; the Royal Gorge Bridge.

More Articles on: Colorado Whitewater Rafting Rafting in Colorado Rafting Termonology

A HISTORY OF COLORADO WHITEWATER RAFTING

2009-04-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Rafting is one of the earliest means of transportation, used as a means for shipping people, hunting, and transferring food.

Now it is one of our forms of outdoor adventure and entertainment.

Rafts were originally the simplest form of man’s transportation in water and were then made of several logs, planks or reeds which were fastened together. Nowadays, inflatable boats are used as rafts. This type of boat has been adopted by the military for beach assaults. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Colorado whitewater rafting should be thankful to the military for their utilization of the multi-chamber raft to prevent deflation. Many chambers prevented the whole raft from losing its pressure to stay afloat. So now you have the history of whitewater rafting beginning. If you can answer a tough question as to who has on record the first outdoor escape to rent these rafts on whitewater you know the beginning of the whitewater rafting trend that set many a company on the rivers around the world to have an outdoor activity like Colorado whitewater rafting for fun and exploration. Just to name a short list of whitewater rafting opportunities from around the world for top spots to rush through a river is in Colorado and they are Breckenridge Rafting and Royal Gorge Rafting. There are different types of whitewater rafting so choose wisely. Here they are for an education in whitewater rafting...

Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. (Skill Level: None)
Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require maneuvering.(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
Class 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)
Class 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)
Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)
Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all Colorado whitewater rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. (Skill Level: Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of great luck or extreme skill)

Respect the water and have some fun checking out Breckenridge Rafting at Whitewater Rafting and Royal Gorge Rafting.

Whitewater Rafting Termonolgy

2009-04-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

(Source: Max Bellamy)

Whitewater rafting uses special terminology, so familiarizing oneself with some key expressions and terms of white water rafting before taking a trip could definitely be helpful.

Many of the terms relate to the river. A run is used to describe that segment of the river that is feasible for rafting. Put-in and take-out are the points where the trip commences and finishes. The gradient is a phrase used to quantify the depth of the river.

The term boils is used to refer to an unexpected and abrupt rise in the level of the water. A hydraulic is used to refer to a transformation in the current that can lead to a modification of the speed of the raft, whereas an eddy is the flow of water upstream behind an obstacle or obstruction.

Bow and stern are used to describe the front and the back of the boat. When a boat capsizes or tips over due to an accident, it is known as a flip and when a boat is held against an obstacle by the strength of the current it is called a wrap.

A strainer is a barrier that allows restrictive entry. It enables water to pass through but impedes the passage of swimmers and rafts. A swimmer is a person who falls out of the boat and a throw bag is a piece of equipment that is used to save the swimmer.

Whitewater rafting has become a major adventure sport today. It is extremely popular in countries like Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. It is a great favorite with the youth and others with a great appetite for risks. The sport has gained in popularity over the last few decades in the U.S. states like Colorado.

A Great Company for Rafting The Royal Gorge

2009-04-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Written: Nick Hantge

If you are thinking about whitewater rafing in Colorado and are thinking about rafting The Royal Gorge, you've made a great choice! Now with all of the rafting companies in Colorado, who do you choose?

I would recommend on of the best Colorado Rafting Companies for rafting The Royal Gorge: Raft Masters. This company offers fantastic packages and run on many of the rivers in Colorado.

Raft Masters
If you're looking for the top Colorado whitewater rafting outfitter, you've found it. At Raft Masters, Colorado whitewater rafting isn't just a business; it's their passion. No other Colorado whitewater rafting company does it like they do. They stake their reputation on providing professional, high-quality whitewater rafting adventures dedicated to your comfort and enjoyment.

Raft Masters has many different Colorado Whitewater rafting trips in both The Royal Gorge and Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

Call them at (800) -568-7238 if you would like to schedule your next rafting trip in Colorado.

Rafting the Royal Gorge, Arkansas & the Colorado

2009-04-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Whitewater Rafting the Arkansas & Colorado Rivers
Now, you probably would never think to look on a map for the small town of Canon City, located in south-central Colorado, for your adventure related vacation. But once you have been there for the main tourist attraction - Whitewater Rafting - you will want to find it again and again. Over 200,000 people a year are rafting on this section of river which stretches over a hundred miles of some of the best whitewater in the world.

There are over five whitewater runs on this headwaters section of the Arkansas river: Pine Creek, The Numbers, Browns Canyon, Big Horn Sheep Canyon and the last is the pinnacle of Arkansas River rafting - The Royal Gorge.

Whitewater Rafting Through the Royal Gorge
The most exciting whitewater stretch on the Arkansas, the Royal Gorge section takes us into one of the world's deepest gorges. Over 1,000 feet deep and a mere 400 feet wide, rafting through the gorge is an experience to say the least. The Royal Gorge is also home of the world's second highest suspension bridge - built on a dare - that's sole purpose is for tourism. It goes to nowhere from nowhere. Standing at 1,053 feet above the water it is a sight like no other, especially from water level.

Know Your Equipment
In order to raft this section of whitewater, one has to acquire the skills and proper equipment for the job. First, you will need an inflatable, self-bailing raft - 12"-14" is preferable. If you want to buy one, it will set you back about $3000 for a good one. Then you have all the other requirements: PFDs, helmets, life insurance, etc. You are better off hiring an outfitter for the job. Mainly because the state of Colorado has stringent requirements on who can run this section. That and fact of not knowing the rapids can kill you!

The Float In
Trips usually start out at the old village of Parkdale; a state run river put in. After the boats have been "rigged to flip," you have a pleasant 20 minute float in until the first rapid. This is a great time to get situated and it also gives the guide time to practice with you.

He/she will get all of you paddling in sync and teaching you how to turn and what to do when paddle commands - not requests - are made. They will also teach you how to "highside" the boat in order to help prevent flips and wraps. When and if your guide yells, screams "highside" repeatedly, it would behoove you to get up on the side of the boat that is about to, or already has, hit a rock. The "highside" is always the down-stream side of the boat. If you're still in doubt, look for your guide, they will be on the "highside."

Know Your Rapids
It's important to know what kind of rapids you will face here. The Royal Gorge - or just Gorge - is a class III-IV and sometimes V, depending on water levels, section of river. Once you get into the "meat" of it, it's pretty much non-stop for 7 miles. So get your feet tucked in and get ready to paddle your little heart out.

El Primero
No duh, Spanish for "The First, El Primero," is a nice little class III that has a surprise inside. There is a sucking hole at the bottom that you can't see until you're there, that will easily flip a boat if the angle is wrong. Immediately after that, you have to do a little back-paddle to stay off the wall, followed by another hole. Total elapsed time: 10 seconds.

El Segundo
"The Second" is pretty straight forward and you can run it sideways on sunny days just to cool off. A baby class II, all that is offered is a nice wave train. Elapsed time: 8 seconds.

El Tricero
"The Third" is also straight forward except for that huge rock you are heading straight for called "sketch rock." Your guide probably misses it by about ½ an inch just to sketch you out. Jerk! Total elapsed time: 15 seconds.

Pumphouse a.k.a. That Dam Rapid
So, you've been floating for about 5 minutes and you're coming up on "Pumphouse" rapid, aka "That Dam Rapid" at lower flows, due to the remnants of a dam that used to be there. There is a scag on the bottom which formed the rapid and it can be a pain at lower flows.

While whitewater rafing here, you will enter just left of center to miss a big ledge, boogey right, to set up for the hard part, moving back to the left again, dodging rocks as you go and at the end is a "dump truck" hole that you can run at higher flows if you want to, then you and your crew, will end up in the ditch because the boat flipped, stern over bow. It's called a "dump truck" or a "yard sale" because everything (everyone) must go. Total elapsed time: 25 seconds to 15 minutes, depending on how many swimmers you had.

Sunshine
Don't let the warm and fuzzy name fool you! Sunshine is aptly named because of the lighting conditions - remember you're in a gorge.

Forget cooking with gas on this class IV, all the time, rapid. Now you're cooking with rocket fuel. Sunshine is the #1 cause of carnage on this section of river. It is known for its technical and dangerous run at ALL water levels. Chances are, if you are waiting on the top for turn and you've been sitting there a while, somebody got hurt or worse.

Depending on the water level, there are three ways to run this carnage queen.

Low Water
The low water run through Sunshine is very technical - and dangerous. Up top, you will start with a very slow approach at just right of center. You will either bump a big rock on the right side of the boat - intentional - or barely miss it. You're moving real slow now as the bow comes right, forward paddle one time to make the squeeze - if not you flip - then about 3-5 HARD back-paddles to stay off the wall - undercut - and then a sharp, drenching, left turn in to a wave called "Tractor Beam," which will draw you too far left if you're not careful - resulting in a flip. Hurray! You've just completed step one, called the S-move.

Now you have a choice to make in about .5 seconds - stay right and try the sneak, or boogy left to set up for the completion of the ever painful Double-S. Big, bone jarring, teeth rattling drop and then haul butt back to the right side of the river to set up for "Satan's Suckhole." You really want to be squared up and have some momentum for this drop - if not, it will pull you back in and "surf" your boat until it either flips or gets lighter from everyone falling out. Not too fast though, because you will hit a wall right after the hole and get bounced back into it. A quick 45° left to avoid getting "bow-stern" pinned - which has the name "rotisserie," because that's how your boat flips, like pig on a spit - now a whole boat load of strong back paddles to stay off the "hemorrhoid" rocks. If you run into them, people go flying and the boat gets stuck, hence the reference to the name of the rocks, a pain in the butt. Hurray! You're done, for about 10 seconds. Total elapsed time: 25 seconds to 2 hours, depending.

Medium Flow
Medium flow is a lot like low flow, only it happens twice as fast and there is NO room for error. The water is swift and very pushy. If you have swimmers at medium flow, it might take a couple of miles to get them back. Stay in the boat!

Faucet is Wide Open
It's okay to pee your pants at this point - nobody will know because everybody is drenched, except for the guide. They paid their dues and paid for the proper "splash gear." The water is really moving at this point - it takes about 5 seconds to run. You will be staying far left all the way, with a massive, all the way up your spine and every bone in your body, impact at the bottom. Be kind and look for your guide. Chances are they are either in the front of the boat or not at all, as he or she went flying over the front of the boat. Don't crack jokes now, they sit in what is called the "ejection seat" - the back of the boat rises up, forming a taco shape with the boat, and the guide gets thrown, so look around. You are thinking at this point: "Why am I here and why is my wet suit so warm?"

Grateful Dead
Immediately after Sunshine is a half mile long stretch of rocks and boulders, resembling a graveyard. Very technical with a lot of maneuvering, big waves and sideways drops, this class III "sorta" lets you catch your breath. Not too much though, due to all of the maneuvering, you will be doing some paddling. Total elapsed time: about 2 minutes.

Sledgehammer
What fun this will be! The behemoth known as Sledgehammer is a solid IV-V depending on flows. Some maneuvering up top; then comes "big drop." A very steep entry just left of center, it comes fast and chances are that the right side of the boat is getting a little rock rash as it is more like sliding down a rock, with water. The drop sends you back to river right and you set up a squeeze and fall into "bird drop." As you descend this one you will notice that you are headed straight for a rock, quickly. Hopefully you miss, just to the left of it, or you end up wrapping the boat around it. Congratulations, you've just extended your whitewater experience, by a couple hours.

Okay you manage to get through that one okay. Now it's time to set up on the river left for "Mt. Rushmore." A very steep and potentially deadly, last part of Sledgehammer Rapid. You make about a seven foot drop into a ledge rock that always wants to get you stuck against the right wall. Wow! What a rush! Total elapsed time: 25 seconds.

Car Crash
A little bit of slack water for about two minutes leads you into a class III called Car Crash. Mostly the rapid is just a big wave train with a "dump-truck" rock in it. Some guides will even flip here on purpose, just to cool off. Lots of slow water afterwards and the next rapids are a few minutes away. Total elapsed time: Who cares after the three previous rapids?

The Narrows
This were the river comes to a bottle neck and the rapids are vigorous and intense. Stay off the left bank at all costs. The railroad is there and they decided to leave a bunch of concrete and rebar in the ditch. Boats get torn and boaters get gored. If you happen to swim in the next three rapids, swim towards river right.

First Drop
Okay, here we go! Entering just right of center, there is a single, big drop, with maneuvering before and after.

Second Drop
Guess what? There are two drops here and you have to maneuver to get to them. But they're big and worth the effort.

Third Drop
Okay, somebody fired up the gas stove again! With a - you guessed it - a heart pounding three drops, chances of impalement and some hard maneuvering; Third Drop is a highly technical class III-IV.

Entering just left of center - remember the concrete and rebar? The first drop takes you by surprise and then, if that wasn't enough, tries it's hardest to throw you into the left impalement wall. You have to stay on the left or risk flipping. Holy crap! Why in the world is the guide point the boat left? Then you hear a gruff command of back-paddle as you attempt to ferry across to the right side of the river for second drop. Just when you think it's safe to catch a breath, the guide changes the paddle command to a hard forward. Has this guy had too much water forced up his nose or what? Then you see it at last, just before you take the plunge in to the third drop. Then the guide is yelling back-paddle again! Yep, the guides mind is cooked. But oh, wait, we're pulling over against the right wall and hanging out in an eddy, waiting for any possible swimmers. Whew! That was insane! Total elapsed time for all three: 1.5 minutes.

Wall Slammer
So now that you think you are a river god, it calms down for about 5 minutes as you enter an area the guides refer to as "Fish Bowl." You are directly underneath the Royal Gorge Bridge and an incline railway brings tourists from around the globe, down to water level. Everybody is taking pictures of you and using camcorders to document their vacation. Then it hits you. "I am going to be in some stranger's photo album or worse, family home video." That's why the guides call it "Fish Bowl." You end up feeling like a fish in a bowl that everyone and his mother are gawking at. Well enough of that, Wall Slammer is just ahead. Let's give them a show!

Wall Slammer is a classy class IV. Can you figure out the result of running it wrong? You start out just left of center, punch through a hole on your way the far river right. You punch an even bigger hole with a bow left angle, which causes the boat to rock like a cradle. The guide is screaming "forward, forward hard!" And with good cause - the river is trying ever so diligently to slam you into the right wall. Don't go there! There is a huge, underwater cave and going into it is a permanent game over event. Oh my! That wall is coming up on you fast. Then the water slows and you either totally miss the wall or barely scrape it. Now is a good time to look behind you and watch what not to do, as other boats might get wall slammed. Total elapsed time: 20
seconds.

Pin Ball
The Pin Ball Rapid is aptly named due to the fact that if happen to hit one rock, you will probably hit them all. This class II-III is lots of wet fun at all levels. It is kind of long and has 5 big standing waves in it. However, it is just a prelude to the monster rapid, Boat Eater. Total elapsed time: 50 seconds.

Boat Eater
Justifiably named, Boat Eater has a reputation for...? Yep, you guessed it. Entering on extreme river right, you drop through a nasty hole with an advisable left bow angle lest you really want to run over the Boat Eater hole. Your guide makes you paddle your guts out as you try like hello to get to river left, making a sharp right turn just before you kiss the left wall. What the heck? You might be thinking just as look behind you and see the horrific keeper hole known as the Boat Eater. Boy, are you glad you didn't go over that! Back to reality as the guide is trying to get you back to paddling. That was only the top of the rapid. When you finally realize that the guide is screaming paddle commands that are changing every second, you dump into not one, not two, not three but four huge holes and you notice that every time you hit one, the boat actually travels upstream a bit. Hmm, maybe the guide is on to something here. And then it's over. Total elapsed time: 1 minute to two weeks, depending.

Splat Rock
It calms down for a second, yet you notice a steep left turn in the river straight ahead. The guide calls a strong forward. You're absolutely certain that Boat Eater Rapid has cooked the poor guide's noodle. The guide seems to be pointing the boat straight at a sloped rock wall, with some momentum. Sure enough, you hit it and the boat starts sliding up the wall, next thing you know, you're in the drink, but wait a minute, this feels sooo good! You didn't even realize how over heated you had become. You look around to see where everybody is at. Well, they're all in the drink too, including the guide, who has a huge grin on his face. The boat is upside down, but the water is slack and soothing. The guide hops back onto the inverted inflatable and rights it. Then you are told to swim to the left shore, where a bunch of boats have gathered. I dawns on you, a break area. It's time for everyone to chill out for a little bit on the shore. Total elapsed time: who cares?

The Float Out
Now that you are a river god - pat yourself on the back - it's time to wrap it up and get to the take out. Basically, you will have about 45 minutes worth of class I and class II to contend with, but hey, you just survived the gauntlet. Time to relax and take in the scenery for the first time, as you gently exit the gorge. Don't get too comfortable though, believe it not, a lot of people go for an unintended swim on the float out. Oh well, at least it won't drown you, maybe just bruise you now stately ego a bit. Thinking back on the trip, you realize, am I ever glad that our guide was here. Gratuities are always appreciated.

(Source: Paul Lessley)

Top 10 Places to Whitewater Raft

2009-04-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Written by: Mairead Foley

You might have wondered what exactly is Whitewater Rafting? Basically it is the use of a raft whilst navigating a river or lake, and is probably best explored on rough water for the thrill of the ride! Whitewater rafting is a challenging water sport, which requires experience and skill on the water, so please take due care, and maybe do plenty of research about the area before you venture into challenging waters.

The following are our top 10 Places to enjoy the sport in the USA...
1. Rafting on the Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon area, you can certainly capture the beauty of the river as you travel down it. Here you can raft a total of over 200km in six days. The divine beauty of the Grand Canyon is something to savour, with walls and waterfalls that are just waiting to be explored. Find out more about Colorado River Rafting.

2. Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia. This area of West Virginia at the Summersville Dam and Lake is a magical place for rafting. The summertime sees the river water flows touching great levels to make the falls even more pronounced. In fact, the fall and spring are just as exciting when rafting, as the dam ejects water from the bottom of the lake all year round.

3. The Great Rivers of Montana. Springtime is possibly the best time to raft the Flathead River. You can enjoy the sheer thrill of the rapids of "Bone Crusher" and "Jaws"! The top middle fork of the Flathead River is not for the faint hearted with some challenging drops and jumps!

4. Rafting in Idaho is best enjoyed along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. You can enjoy the power of the 100 rapids in the beautifully scenic area. The River actually drops a total of 3,000 feet through the hugely impressive River of No Return!

5. Rafting on the Rogue River. The Rogue River in Oregon is one of the most impressive rivers in the USA, and is a huge favourite of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Rogue River Rafting offers a wonderful adventure vacation, combining beautiful scenery, fresh breeze winds, fantastic wildlife viewing and rolling waters!

6. Rafting on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River has its source in the Whitesides Mountain of North Carolina and runs to the southwest to create the border between South Carolina and Georgia. It is an impressive location for rafting, with sheer rapids and wild and wonderful scenery. Spring and early summer are the best times to raft the river, when the water table is much higher!

7. Durango Colorado River Rafting. Rafting in spring is wonderful on the Animas River. You can savour the aesthetic beauty along the River of Lost Souls. You will learn all about Colorado's mining past as you float along the rivers, with ruins from the mining industry prominent along the riverbanks.

8. California Whitewater Rafting. Whitewater Rafting in California can be enjoyed on the Kings, Merced, Tuolumne, and American Rivers, which are all located near Yosemite, the Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Tahoe.

9. Whitewater Rafting in Alaska is best enjoyed at the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers. The sheer size of the waters, the natural beauty of the area, and the remote nature of the area make for a thrilling rafting experience. You can also enjoy challenging rafting on the Yukon River.

10. Whitewater Rafting in Washington. One of the best places to enjoy rafting in Washington is on the Skykomish River where you will be guaranteed action and adventure! The Skykomish River will take you on an astonishing journey of breathtaking drops and series of rapids, and the famed "Boulder Drop" is not for the faint hearted!

If you are interested in whitewater rafting in Colorado, visit Breckenridge Rafting & Royal Gorge Rafting