4 Tips For New River Rafters
Plan on going river rafting for the first time? You'll need to know these tips that will help make the experience more enjoyable.
Hold The Paddle Properly
It's important to know how to hold the paddle so that you can use it efficiently and not lose it. There is a blade, shaft, and a t-grip. As you sit on the raft, the inside hand will be positioned on the t-grip so that your thumb is underneath the grip and your four fingers are on top of the grip. Your outside hand will be a few inches from the bottom of the blade.
You should always hold onto the t-grip because the rapids in the river can easily cause the paddle to pivot quickly and hit another rafter by accident. Holding onto the t-grip keeps others safe and prevents you from losing it.
Use The Foot Grips
Your raft should have foot grips that you can slide your feet into. This should always be used to give you additional leverage and keep you in the proper position on the boat. You can actually use the foot grips to help move your full body as you paddle down the river.
Float On Your Back If You Go In The Water
If you find yourself in a situation where you go overboard and are in the water, it's important that you float on your back. A common mistake that people make is trying to stand up in the water, but you do not know what could be underneath you. The worst thing that can happen is that your foot gets caught in an area with heavy rapids. Floating on your back keeps you safe and makes it possible to get to safety.
Protect Yourself From Branches
If there is a part of the river where you're going through branches, know that there is a right and wrong way to deal with them. You will actually want to lean backward and use your paddle to protect your face from getting hit by the branches. The branch will also flow over your body and allow you to keep going. If you lean forward, it is possible that the branch still gets caught underneath your body and pulls you off the raft unexpectedly.
There are just a few tips that you'll need to know for river rafting. Reach out to a local river rafting company for more tips on how to go river rafting for the first time.