| You've been invited to go whitewater rafting, | | | | not count as they do not bind to the foot. Old |
| congratulations! What? You're nervous. You can't | | | | tennis shoes are good because you can tie them. |
| swim. You don't know what to do. Are you going | | | | Name brand foot ware Teva, Chaco, & Keen |
| off waterfalls? Are you fit enough? Are you old | | | | all make sandals that bind to the foot. Water |
| enough? Are you young enough? What do you | | | | booties with a sole are fine. No one wants you |
| wear? How do you wear it? Do you need special | | | | swimming without your consent but if you do |
| shoes? | | | | swim you want something on your feet. |
| Don't worry, everyone has these questions. You'll | | | | 8. Trust the GEAR. You'll be wearing top of the |
| be just fine. On the South Fork of the American | | | | line personal flotation devices, in nearly all |
| River, in Northern California, some 65,000 + | | | | instances these are Class V coast guard |
| people go rafting each and every year. California | | | | approved flotation devices, the highest rating. The |
| whitewater rafting is an excellent stop to add to | | | | rafts are some of the toughest boats on the |
| your vacation. If you've been invited, it's great to | | | | water, they're made to commercial standards |
| be cautious but you shouldn't let this stop you | | | | with commercial quality materials. |
| from attending the trip. | | | | 9. COMMIT fully to the experience. If you're |
| Here are 14 easy steps to make your trip a | | | | offered the opportunity to swim a rapid, do it! |
| breeze: | | | | This is an incredible place to be (the river canyon), |
| | | | you ought to experience everything it has to |
| 1. RELAX! If you're rafting with a professional | | | | offer. |
| company, you're in great hands. They know what | | | | 10. DON'Ts ~ Don't bring a towel to the river! |
| they're doing and they know how to get you | | | | There's no place on the raft for a towel. One in |
| down a river | | | | your car, for a shower after your trip, sure, but |
| 2. Go with a can do ATTITUDE. It's alright to be | | | | not to the trip itself. Don't wear suntan oil. Oil + |
| nervous, this is something new, something exciting | | | | Skin + Rubber = swimming. Don't consume drugs |
| but don't be a whiny baby. Breathe, listen and | | | | or alcohol prior to your trip. Your participation is |
| enjoy. | | | | required to get the raft down the river, this can |
| 3. Rafting has different seasons, what you WEAR | | | | prove difficult if you're under the influence. Alcohol |
| depends on the season: | | | | and rafting don't mix. The water is cold, alcohol |
| 4. - SPRING rafting ~ tends to be cooler, you | | | | lowers body temperature, long swims while |
| should definitely consult the company you're | | | | inebriated are dangerous. Don't bring cigarettes |
| rafting with but a thin wetsuit may be appropriate. | | | | down the river. |
| More commonly, wetsuit booties or wool socks | | | | 11. There are plenty of rafting companies to |
| with your STRAP on sandals or old tennis shoes | | | | choose. On the South Fork of the American, 33. |
| (more on foot ware below), shorts, wool | | | | Pick someone you feel comfortable. Most all prices |
| sweater, splash jacket or dry top, possible wool | | | | are going to be within $10 of each other, so the |
| cap. (this is all for cooler weather rafting). | | | | importance for you, is comfort. Most all will |
| 5. - SUMMER rafting ~ Strap on sandal or old | | | | provide a professional trip but there are different |
| tennis shoes, shorts (you can wear a bathing suit | | | | attitudes and energies to each company. |
| but trunks/shorts are recommended for you're | | | | 12. No, generally there are no WATERFALLS. |
| sitting on rubber and bathing suits tend to get | | | | There are drops but nothing that equates to a |
| moved off the bottom and you end up flashing | | | | waterfall. The boats are made to do what you'll |
| the people behind you. Hey, we're not judging, this | | | | be doing, relax. |
| may be your intention but we just wanted to let | | | | 13. Yes, chances are you're FIT enough. This is |
| you know), t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Some | | | | not an olympic paddle crew time trial. You'll be |
| companies wear helmets and you may or may | | | | pulling your weight along with 5 or 6 other people. |
| not be able to wear a hat while rafting. | | | | 14. The trips are professionally GUIDED. You'll |
| 6. No matter the season, no matter your skin | | | | have a professional, competent guide in the back |
| tone, SUNBLOCK! We like to recommend all | | | | of the raft controlling the action. |
| natural / biodegradable sunblock as they're learning | | | | 15. AGE, check with the company you're rafting. |
| these are causing problems in ocean reefs, so we | | | | There are rivers where tighter age ranges do |
| might as well keep the river clean, if possible. | | | | come into play. |
| Some ingredients to avoid: PABA, octinoxate, | | | | 16. Finally, don't disqualify yourself based on |
| oxybenzone, methylbenzylidene camphor and the | | | | unfounded PRECONCEPTIONS. You're going to |
| preservative butylparaben. | | | | love this adventure. We raft young kids to |
| 7. Proper SHOES - Shoes must strap to the foot. | | | | grandparents, you can do this! |
| Crocs and their composite foam ankle strap do | | | | |