River wild: whitewater rafting is a back-to-nature adventure

Whitewater Rafting New England image

It’s no wonder city slickers are escaping to the great outdoors for the kind of adventure they won’t find at their local health clubs. Light years away from the hectic workaday world, whitewater rafting is an invigorating way to get in touch with nature and relieve stress.

There are both fitness and purely fun-filled opportunities afforded by the sport. Besides being thrown at the mercy of the rapids (which is a workout in itself), there are scenic locales along the way to get out and swim, take nature walks and hikes and go exploring or fishing. The relaxation is welcome after a few hours of plunging your oar through whitewater walls. “You’re on river time,” says Amy Stroud of O.A.R.S., Inc., a company which offers trips throughout the southwest, northern Rockies, Alaska and internationally. “People are taken out of their routines and flow as one with the river.”

A paddle boat, the most commonly used raft to negotiate rapids, offers a fullbody workout, according to Stroud. “You use your arms to paddle and hold on to the sides, and legs–especially the thigh muscles–to stay in the boat,” she says.

“Paddling is a good workout,” agrees Marianne Moore, owner and vice president of Sierra South rafting company in Kernville, California. “You have to keep good balance and brace yourself with your legs. You’re definitely sore by the end of the day.”

In a paddle boat, everyone works as a team to maneuver the boat, led by a guide who sits in the back and shouts commands. Oar boats are generally used in flat water and are best suited for carrying gear or just one or two people. Usually only one person rows. Inflatable kayaks and dorys (small boats) are a popular novice recreation, but not in rough water. Kayaking is also quite a workout, adds Moore. “You work everything–hips, legs, your whole body for balance.”

But you don’t have to be in great shape or a die-hard athlete to enjoy whitewater sporting. A diverse range of enthusiasts has discovered the thrill of rafting. “It used to be viewed as a younger, aggressive male-oriented sport, but the market has shifted,” says Matthew Polstein, owner of New England Whitewater Center and eastern vice president of America Outdoors trade association. “Popularity has increased tremendously with women, participants in their 40s and older, families and children.”

Nowadays, companies offer various trip options that can accommodate almost any age and fitness level. Choose from a one-hour or a one-week trip. Stay in a comfortable hotel or bed and breakfast inn with all the amenities or camp out under the stars. On a week-long trip, ride the river six or seven hours a day and cover a total of 40 to over 200 miles, depending on the river. To just get your feet wet, take a leisurely day trip and spend a few hours on the river. There’s something for everyone.

A one-day excursion offered by New England Whitewater Center begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m., with three to five hours spent on the river. A salmon lunch is served mid-journey. Throughout the day, souvenir pictures are taken to be viewed at a slide show in the evening. “This is a good introductory trip,” says Polstein.

Whatever you decide, it’s a time to just let go and flow with the current. “Rafting isn’t stressful,” says Moore. “You can fish, look at wildlife, cook over a campfire and just hang out.”

The best season for whitewater rafting differs from area to area, depending on the weather and type of river. Some snowmelt rivers, such as California’s Kern river, have a big run-off in spring but during the summer months carry less water and aren’t as active. They can also be too cold to run without a wet suit if the snow has just melted. Dammed rivers are most active when the dams are released. Check with different companies to find out what the optimal running times are.

You’ll also want to pick a reliable raft company. Most are members of a trade association, such as America Outdoors which represents some of the safest and most capable outfitters in the country. Some states license river recreation companies. Once you find the right company, ask about the weather conditions at different times of the year, river temperature and flow. Find out what kind of boats are used–self-bailing boats, which are higher in the center and have holes in the sides so the water can run out, are the safest. “Rafting is one of the safer outdoor pursuits,” says Polstein. “But there are inherent risks you can’t eliminate–like rocks and weather conditions.”

Safety mandates rafters be geared with life jackets, and in some cases, helmets. Most outfitters provide all the essential gear, but you need to bring shoes or sport sandles (not thongs) that are secured to your feet. You must protect your feet from the rocky, uneven river bed and from getting scratched or blistered by the straps on the boat. A fast drying gortex or nylon windbreaker and bathing suit or shorts are the usual wardrobe. A waterproof bag and sunscreen and a change of clothes are also recommended. If you’re running a free flowing, snow-melt river, as opposed to a dam-released river, you may need a wet suit (most companies provide them) to prevent hypothermia.

There is usually an orientation where rafters are outfitted and given a safety lecture before moving on to the launching site for a rowing lesson from their guide. Guides are generally well-trained in first aid and CPR, as well as having completed a rigorous guide training course. A licensed or trained guide should be able to pull in overboard rafters, navigate safely and perform a raft rescue in case of a capsize.

Stroud says river runners need to be aware surface water moves more slowly than deep water. If you fall out of the raft, you can easily lose sight of your party, she warns. So, if you decide to “take the plunge” into river rafting, listen carefully to your guide’s commands. When a guide recently took a group out in a conventional raft equipped with buckets for bailing, they hit a rough rapid and water started weighing the boat down. According to Stroud, the guide shouted, “Let’s bail!” Instead of grabbing a bucket, one man jumped out of the boat and ended up swimming the rapid.

Whatever your fitness level, a rafting trip renews the spirit of spontaneity. It’s an environmental reality check that is bound to leave an indelible impression on your outlook of water workouts. “I’ve had a lot of wonderful bonding experiences,” says Stroud. “A raft tour is a great way to meet new people, see beautiful places and escape with loved ones.”

For more information or to schedule a rafting excursion, call Sierra South at (619) 376-3745, Kernville River Tours at (619) 379-4616 or O.A.R.S., Inc. at (800) 346-6277 in California, or New England Whitewater Center in Maine at (800) 766-7238.