| If you have never tried white water rafting, now | | | | shoes for your excursion. I highly recommend a |
| is definitely the time. This sport is one of the | | | | full wet suit if you have never been rafting |
| most exciting and challenging things that you can | | | | before. Keep in mind that you will get wet! No |
| do in life. There are a few things that you should | | | | matter how careful you are to avoid water, it is |
| know before heading out on the river though. You | | | | going to happen. Sometimes that water is |
| will need to be prepared for the physical | | | | extremely cold, you will be much happier if you |
| requirements of the sport, be prepared and know | | | | have a wet suit to protect you. Water shoes are |
| how to stay safe. | | | | another great addition to protect your feet. You |
| White water rafting puts extreme stress on your | | | | can wear normal sneakers but you will most likely |
| upper body muscles, specifically your arms and | | | | ruin them, and that just wouldn't make for a good |
| back. You will (or should be) sitting the entire time | | | | trip. You must, repeat, must, have a life jacket |
| so your arms will do the majority of the work by | | | | on. No matter how good a swimmer you are and |
| paddling and propelling your raft forward or | | | | how sure you are that you plan to stay in the |
| around turns. If you have any health problems | | | | raft, a life jacket is non negotiable. You are |
| that may prevent you from doing this, you should | | | | surrounded by rocks and could be knocked |
| check with a doctor to see if you can handle the | | | | unconscious if you fall out of the raft. A life |
| strenuous workout. You also don't want to find | | | | jacket will make sure that you stay afloat. Along |
| out about a health problem while you are on the | | | | those same lines, a helmet is a requirement as |
| river as it would be difficult to get medical | | | | well. This will protect your head in case of an |
| attention mid trip. If you are going rafting for the | | | | accident. |
| first time, you may want to do some weights in | | | | Lastly, you should remember that accidents can |
| the weeks before your trip is planned. You will be | | | | happen. People do fall out of rafts, frequently. In |
| working as a team with the other people in your | | | | order to protect yourself you need to know what |
| raft, you do not want to be the weakest link. | | | | to do when this happens. Once you fall out, make |
| And no one wants to hear you complain the | | | | sure that your feet are pointing down stream, |
| entire time that you are tired or in pain. | | | | not your head.. This will ensure that as you travel |
| When you sign up for a white water rafting trip, | | | | along rocky outposts in the water, your feet are |
| they will generally offer you a package. This | | | | banging up against rocks, not your head. Very |
| package will include most of your supplies and | | | | important. Your team members will locate you as |
| frequently includes a sandwich lunch that you will | | | | soon as possible and drag you back in to the raft |
| bring with you in your raft. You may opt to rent | | | | grabbing you under your arms. Be safe and |
| a wet suit (either full or half varieties) and water | | | | prepared and you will have a ball. |