Essential rafting tips

If a rafting trip sounds like it would float your boat, but you have limited experience with the thrills and spills of the river, follow these simple white water rafting tips and your first trip will be a smooth one. Our rafting guides and river experts have given us some essential pointers on what to wear, bring and expect on your next rafting trip.

1. Wear the right attire
While you might have every intention to stay in the boat the whole trip, you may not necessarily stay dry. Expect to get soaked on your trip, and wear waterproof and anti-chafing clothes that will act as a barrier between you and the raft. Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry and pulls the heat away from the body. Rather, synthetic materials are fantastic as they are quick drying.

2. Wear your helmet
Your safety is paramount on all of our rafting trips, which means that you always have to wear protective equipment, including helmets. There are many submerged rocks, logs and branches that aren’t visible from your sitting position in the boat, and hitting your head against these if you fall in is an experience we want to avoid. Keep your helmet on at all times and minimise your risk of injury.

3. Don’t take your valuables
The general rule of thumb for rafting trips is that you don’t bring anything that you don’t want to get lost or wet. Leave your jewellery, including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets at home.

4. Ensure you are a competent swimmer
While you don’t have to be an Olympic swimmer to join a rafting trip, you need to be comfortable in the water. Our life jackets or personal floatation devices will keep your head above water, helping you actively swim to avoid obstacles and swim towards the boat or shore while on the river.

5. Keep your lifejacket on and tight
Just like you should keep your helmet on at all times, you should also keep your life jacket on and fastened – even when going through calm waters. These not only help keep you afloat they also make it easier for guides to pull you back into the raft if you fall out.