Rafting is a sport that consists of letting oneself be carried away by the current of a whitewater river on a pneumatic boat (Raft). This sport arose from the navigators of rapids that went down the water channels in small boats and rafts, born in principle as a necessary means of transport for explorers, hunters and anglers; it has ended up becoming in our days in a very popular method of amusement and extended all over the world.
The popularity of Rafting is based on the enormous technical facility of this sport, since the person who wants to practice it simply needs to know how to swim.
In this way and despite the spectacular nature of most of the routes, the risks we face this modality are much smaller than in principle may seem. Obviously there are exceptions, places where the current can be dangerous and where the so-called “Extreme Rafting” is practiced, carried out only by specialists.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Rafting is a sport that consists of letting oneself be carried away by the current of a whitewater river on a pneumatic boat (Raft). This sport arose from the navigators of rapids that went down the water channels in small boats and rafts, born in principle as a necessary means of transport for explorers, hunters and anglers; it has ended up becoming in our days in a very popular method of amusement and extended all over the world.
The popularity of Rafting is based on the enormous technical facility of this sport, since the person who wants to practice it simply needs to know how to swim.
In this way and despite the spectacular nature of most of the routes, the risks we face this modality are much smaller than in
principle may seem. Obviously there are exceptions, places where the current can be dangerous and where the so-called
“Extreme Rafting”, carried out by specialists only.
COMPONENTS OF THE EQUIPMENT
The capacity of the rafts that make rafting tours is usually between 4 and 8 people. At the front of each tyre, placed at the back, there will be a guide; a perfect connoisseur of the terrain on which we must go. The rest of the components of the equipment will be placed on the sides, obeying at all times the orders of the guide to steer the boat the right way.
If we are in one of our first outings in Rafting, the most appropriate will be to place ourselves in the center of the raff, as that is the area where the movement is minor, if we have some experience we will place ourselves in front and those who are called experts will occupy the rear parts.
It can happen that an outing is made with more than one boat, in which case there must always be a “boss”, who directs the whole excursion, coordinating the movements of all the teams.
CLASSIFICATION OF RIVERS ACCORDING TO THEIR DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY (INTERNATIONAL SCALE)
Before making an outing, we must consider two things: the level of difficulty of the river in relation to the degree of experience we have.
There is an international scale that classifies rivers according to the degree of difficulty, this is it:
- Class I. Easy: fast current with small waves and undulations. The obstructions that can appear are easily surmountable, even with little.
training. Low risk. - Class II. Beginner: fast with wide and clear channels. Occasionally special maneuvers will be required. Low danger for swimmers.
- Class III. Intermediate: fast with moderate and irregular waves that can be difficult to avoid and can sink the open canoe. Complex manoeuvres over fast currents and control of the boat in narrow passages will be required. Preliminary flow exploration is recommended for the inexperienced. May require assistance from the group.
- Class IV. Advanced: intense but predictable rapids that require complete control of the boat. Large waves and unavoidable holes may appear that will require fast maneuvers and under pressure. Previous exploration is always recommended. Requires fully developed skills.
- Class V. Expert: long and violent rapids that pose a multitude of dangers along the way. It will be necessary to fully master rafting, safety and rescue, as well as having excellent physical conditions. Swimming can be dangerous and rescue may be difficult even for experts.
- Class VI. Extreme: maximum difficulty and danger; rivers at the limit of navigation possibilities. All necessary precautions must be taken, bearing in mind that rescue may become impossible.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
Before any rafting trip, the monitor will make a talk to which we must pay full attention, as it will tell us about the characteristics and difficulties of the river we “face”. Besides this, it will be convenient to take into account some important precautions:
In order to avoid falling into the water, the feet are fixed to the crossbeams at the bottom of the raft by means of rubber clips, leaving the hands free to grab the oar.
In case we fall in a fast, we should try to get away as fast as possible from the raft, letting the current always carry us up, horizontal or semi-sitting and feet forward.
In the fall it is important to remain calm, try to reach a backwater and wait for the rest of the team to come to save us.
If we have the paddle with us in the fall, it should be placed on the chest in a transverse position.