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Revision as of 22:13, 25 April 2007
- For another meaning, see Timber rafting
Rafting or whitewater rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1970's.
History
Rafting is one of the earliest means of transportation, used as a means for shipping people, hunting, and transferring food.
In 1842, Lieutenant John Fremont of the U.S. Army first journalized his rafting expedition on the Platte River. Horace H. Day designed the equipment he used in rafting. Day’s rafts were constructed from four independent rubber cloth tubes and wrap-around floor. [1]
In 1960s, rafting was then recognized and paths like Grand Canyon were routed and whitewater rafting companies were established.
In 1970s, rafting marked its major development as a leisure sport when it was then included in the Munich Olympic Games.
In 1980s, as rafting continued to gain its popularity, a lot of rivers were opened for rafting activities. Rivers in South America and Africa were just a few of them.
In 1990s, rafting was included in major game events like the Barcelona Games in 1992, Atlanta Games in 1996, and the whitewater events of the Summer Olympic Games hosted by Ocoee River in Tennessee Valley. In addition, the International Federation of Rafting was instituted in 1997 and in 1999 the first Official International Championship was held.
Nowadays, river rafting is still continuously gaining its popularity among extreme water sports in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.
Whitewater rafts
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 boat were used as rafts which were later adopted by the military for beach assaults. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Its length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). The exception to this size rule is usually the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 1.5m long and weigh as little as 4 lbs.
Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. In Russia, rafts are often hand made and are often a catamaran style with two inflatable tubes attached to a frame. Pairs of paddlers navigate these rafts. Catamaran style rafts have become popular in the western United States as well, but are typically rowed instead of paddled.
Safety
Whitewater rafting can be a dangerous sport, especially if basic safety precautions are not observed. In the past there have been many accidents; both commercial trips and private trips have seen their share of injuries and fatalities, though private travel has stereotypically been associated with greater risk. Depending on the area, legislated safety measures now exist for rafting operators, ranging from certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, to more stringent regulations about equipment and procedures. It is generally advisable to discuss safety measures with a rafting operator before signing on for a trip. The equipment used and the qualifications of the company and raft guides are essential information to be considered.
Like most outdoor sports, rafting in general has become safer over the years. Expertise in the sport has increased, and equipment has become more specialized and increased in quality. This is no doubt as a result of the difficulty rating of most river runs has changed. A classic example would be the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, which has swallowed whole expeditions in the past, leaving only fragments of boats but is now run safely by commercial outfitters hundreds of times each year, with relatively untrained passengers. [2]
Risks in whitewater rafting stem from both environmental dangers and from improper behavior. Certain features on rivers are inherently unsafe and have remained consistently so despite the passage of time. These would include "keeper hydraulics", "strainers" (e.g. fallen trees), dams (especially low-head dams, which tend to produce river-wide keeper hydraulics), undercut rocks, and of course dangerously high waterfalls. Rafting with experienced guides are the safest way to avoid such features. Even in safe areas, however, moving water can always present risks -- such as when a swimmer attempts to stand up on a rocky riverbed in strong current, risking foot entrapment. Irresponsible behavior along the lines of rafting while intoxicated has also contributed to many accidents.
To combat the illusion that rafting is akin to an amusement park ride, and to underscore the personal responsibility each rafter faces on a trip, rafting outfitters generally require customers to sign waiver forms indicating understanding and acceptance of the risks. Rafting trips often begin with safety presentations to educate customers about problems that may arise.
Having said all this, the overall risk level on a rafting trip with experienced guides using proper precautions is low. Thousands of people safely enjoy raft trips every year.
Issues with rafting
Like all wilderness sports, rafting has to balance the conflict between nature protection and nature use. Because of frequent problems in the past, some rivers now have regulations restricting or specifying the annual and daily operating times.
Conflicts have also arisen with environmentalists when rafting operators, often in co-operation with municipalities and tourism associations, alter the riverbed by dredging and/or blasting in order to eliminate safety risks or create more interesting whitewater features in the river. Incongruously these measures usually are only temporary, since a riverbed is subject to permanent changes.
On the other hand, rafting contributes to the economy of many alpine regions which in turn may contribute to the protection of rivers from hydroelectric power generation and other development. Additionally, white water rafting trips can promote environmentalism. By experiencing first hand the beauty of a given river, individuals who would otherwise be indifferent to the environmental concerns of an area may gain a strong desire to protect and preserve that area because of a positive outdoors experience.
Popular rafting locations
Africa
- Bujagali Falls on the Nile in Africa
- Tana River in Africa
- Zambezi River in Africa
Asia/Oceania
- Yoshino river in Japan Asia
- Bhote Koshi river in Nepal, Asia
- Ganga (Ganges River) and its tributaries in India, Asia
- Kali Gandaki river in Nepal, Asia
- Karnali river in Nepal, Asia
- Kawarau River in New Zealand
- Shotover River in New Zealand
- Tully River in Queensland, Australia
- Zanskar River in India, Asia
- Chico River, Kalinga, Philippines, Asia
- Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
- some river in davao
- Jeram Besu Pahang Malaysia Asia
- Padas River Sabah Malaysia File:Padasraft c.jpg
- Kiulu River Sabah Malaysia
- Whataroa River New Zealand
- Hokitika River New Zealand
Europe
- River Findhorn near Aviemore in Scotland, United Kingdom
- Afon Tryweryn near Bala in Wales, United Kingdom
- Tiroler Oberland in the Landeck and Imst Region in Tirol, Austria
- Enns River in Austria
- Tara River (Montenegro), Montenegro
- Una River, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Neretva River, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Soca River in Slovenia
- Sjoa River in Norway
Middle East
- Al Assi in North East Lebanon, Northern Bekaa Valley
- Al Litani in East Lebanon, in the Bekaa Valley
- Nahr Al Kalb in West Lebanon
North America
Eastern
- Chattooga River near Clayton, Georgia in South Carolina
- Cheat River in Albright, West Virginia
- Cheoah River near Robbinsville, North Carolina
- Delaware River, along the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania
- Deerfield River in northwest Massachusetts
- Gauley River and New River "Grand Canyon of the East" in West Virginia
- Hudson River near Lake George, New York
- James River in Virginia (particularly in Richmond)
- Kennebec River, Dead River, and Penobscot River in Maine
- Lachine Rapids in Montreal, Quebec
- Lehigh River in Pennsylvania
- Nantahala River in Bryson City, North Carolina
- Ocoee River and Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States
- Ottawa River at Calumet Island in the Whitewater Region, Ontario
- Pigeon River in the Great Smoky Mountains in Hartford, Tennessee
- Watauga River flowing into Elizabethton, Tennessee (northeast Tennessee)
- Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
Western
- American River near Coloma, California in the USA
- Arkansas River near the Royal Gorge in Colorado
- Colorado River, especially through the Grand Canyon starting at Lee's Ferry, Arizona
- Denali National Park and Preserve, starting at the Denali Lodge
- Kern River in California
- Kicking Horse River in Golden, British Columbia, Canada
- Lochsa River in Idaho
- Methow River near Methow, Washington
- Rogue River near Grants Pass, Oregon
- Salmon River and its tributaries in Idaho
- Skagit River near Marblemount, Washington
- Skykomish River near Gold Bar, Washington
- Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Tieton River near Naches, Washington
- Truckee River near Lake Tahoe, California starting at Lake Tahoe Dam
- Wenatchee River near Leavenworth, Washington
- White Salmon River near Husum, Washington
South America
See also
- Paddling
- Swiftwater rescue
- Whitewater
- International Scale of River Difficulty
- Tubing (recreation)
- Packraft
References
External links
- International Rafting Federation
- Whitewater Rafting Trip Campsites in the western United States
- Bovec Rafting Team - rafting on Soca river, Slovenia, Europe