Whitewater Rafting Ratings
When it comes to rafting, all rivers are rated according to their difficulty or in other words, the excitement and chance of getting through the rapids are rated. The ratings run from one through 6, 6 being extremely risky rapids. Of course, a rivers personality also comes into existence in the ratings scale, as each river has its own personality and can change minute by minute and hour by hour.
A class one river is a scenic river trip and can be handled by just about anyone with basic physical attributes. It means that there are small rapids that are considered rough patches, but they require no different adjustments during floating or rafting and can be dealt with by most rafting novices.
A class two river will include rough water, but also rocks that may be difficult to maneuver around. You need to have basic boat handling and rafting handling experience, and the physical attributes to handle yourself in order to deal with the class two rapids situation.
By the time you start seeing white water and small waves you are in a class three river situation. This river rafting trip will involve a drop in the surface of the bed of the river but it's still not considered a difficult or dangerous rapids situation. You will need to handle your boat through paddling, understand basic rafting balance, and have experienced paddling skills as well as be physically fit.
By the time you are seeing medium waves as well as rocks you are now in a class four river presentation. A significant drop in the bed of the river, and you will need to be able to make sharp maneuvers while paddling or balancing your craft. Also, this is considered a whitewater experience, and you will need to have a river guide and have basic whitewater equipment in order to deal with this situation safely.
By the time you see large waves, several significant drops in the bed surface, as well as large rocks or other hazards you were now in a class five river situation. This experience will not only need white water rafting safety equipment, but you will also have the physical ability in order to precisely maneuver your craft through this type of situation. It takes an experienced whitewater rafting individual in order to make it safely through a class five rapids situation.
A class six situation will present you with rapids that are considered unnavigatable, you will see large rocks, large waves, extreme drops in the riverbed, and is considered that no amount of skill will safely bring you through this situation, instead, it's a matter of luck.
When it comes to choosing a river rafting experience for your family understanding the ratings of the river can help. Look to those rivers that are offering a class one or two for a family adventure, and if your family is older, look for perhaps a class three. Anytime you are attempting a class four or five river make sure that you have an experienced river guide, who knows that particular river's personality well.
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