Whitewater Rafting for Vacations

Rafting was the earliest mode of transportation used across water bodies, for moving food, supplies and people. It was during the 1970s that river rafting caught the attention of people looking for alternate adventure activities. The inclusion of this sport into the 1972 Munich Olympics was a major boost.

River rafting or whitewater rafting involves handling and navigating a raft safely across a river or a stream which has tempestuous or violent water. Whitewater is formed when sections of a river suddenly slope downward, increasing the flow and speed of water, causing a turbulence. These sections known as rapids, make the fast-flowing water frothy and white in appearance. Hence the name whitewater rafting. It is done on whitewater to thrill the raft passengers.

Although, there are many adventurous extreme sports like bungee jumping, paragliding, skiing, scuba diving, etc but those which can be enjoyed with family and kids are few, in fact rare.

Rafting is one such activity which will definitely excite everyone - whether you are young or old, alone or with family and kids. It is an excellent option for a family vacation or adventure travel. Here are some excellent places for whitewater river rafting:

Colorado River, The Grand Canyon
Nothing can be compared to the beauty of rafting at the Colorado river. The river passes through the Grand Canyon National Park. One can enjoy the hidden waterfalls, falling from hundreds of feet and the silence of Colorado if you halt for the night. These are the exotic spots which are accessible only through the Colorado river. Many tour operators provide 3, 4, 6 and 7 day packages which include scenic helicopter flights, rafting, hiking and camping. Rafting vacations in the Grand Canyon are one of the best in the United States.

Rogue River, Oregon
The river in Oregon provides a great experience for a family rafting vacation. The canyon from Grave Creek to Foster Bar provides a spectacular view and people love it when they discover the hidden swimming pools. In the 34 mile trip, you will come across a vast wildlife. The region is full of deer, black bears, turtles, mallard ducks, bald eagles and ospreys. The Rogue rafting vacation is one of the best wildlife viewing trip which comes at an affordable price. An old Oregon saying for rafting the Rogue, rightly states, "Relax in the state of excitement!"

Salmon River, Idaho
Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon river drops 3,000 feet through its course, making it extremely thrilling for the raft-men. The rafts are generally launched at 6,000 feet above sea level on the narrow steep river. The rapids are frequent and as the river drops in elevation, it widens and opens up to vast granite mountains. The trips are usually of 5 to 6 days, covering 80 to 105 miles. The best season at Idaho is from June to September.

New River Gorge Rafting, West Virginia
This is another perfect rafting vacation spot. The canyon at the New River Gorge is commonly known as 'Grand Canyon of the East'. The steep cliffs and the forests surrounding the canyon provide ample opportunity for other adventure sports such as rock climbing, hiking, and fishing.

Useful Tips
Rafting can be dangerous if due precautions are not taken beforehand. Some things which need to be taken care of are:
Sign up for a multi-day trip instead of half or full day trip. This way you can learn the basics of river rafting under proper supervision.
Always bring well-fitting shoes and clothes. Loose clothes are a strict 'NO'. Wearing loose fitting jewelry should be avoided.
People who use contact lenses are advised not to wear them while rafting, as they may get contaminated by the river water. Wear spectacles instead.
Before leaving on such a trip, make sure that the weather forecasts are good.
Swimming at night in unsupervised areas should be avoided.
Wear your personal flotation device (PFD) always.
Whitewater river rafting is always a thrilling activity. The joy of experiencing the adventure with your family is priceless. You experience it once, and I bet you will come back for more. Pack your bags this vacation for the ultimate adventure and have the time of your life!

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Tag: white water rafting for vacations, whitewater river rafting,  River rafting or whitewater rafting

Source: Buzzle.com By Sourabh Gupta

New River White Water Rafting Things To Consider

New River White Water Rafting Things To Consider

White water rafting is a wonderful experience. You can see beautiful scenery or enjoy a workout traveling over some rapids. The New River white water rafting trip is one of the greatest you can go on. Below are a few things you should consider before taking the rafting trip especially if you have never gone white water rafting before.

The difficulty level of a rafting trip is important especially if you have never gone rafting before. A level five rafting trip is strenuous and takes a great deal of skill. When you are new to river rafting you should start out with a level one to a level three. This will give you plenty of adventure without being too difficult for you. If you have questions it is best to call a guide who does New River white water rafting trips and speak to them about the difficulty levels and which trip might suit you and your family. When considering taking your family on a white water rafting trip you will need to ask at what age your child can go. Some rapids require your child to be a little older while other spots on the river can be for the younger child.

The more experience you have the more fun you can expect. Of course it will take a little work, but going over a level five rapid makes up for the work you might have to put in during some part of the trip. A guide will make certain that you have a life vest and will give you some pointers on how to handle the paddle during certain parts of the New River white water rafting trip.

Once you have established the skill level there are a few other things to consider such as the proper clothing and shoes to wear. Depending on the time of year you choose to go rafting you may need a few extra layers or some sunscreen. As far as shoes go you will want to wear something that will not fall off your feet, as you will need to put your feet in footholds to protect yourself from falling out of the boat.

Taking a trip on the New River white water rafting is an experience you will never forget. Taking simple precautions is important as is choosing the proper difficulty level. Speak with a guide to find the best trip for you. You will also be able to choose the amount of time you go on the trip. There are all day trips or half day trips depending on how long you wish to stay out. If you go on an all day trip you will want to make sure about who will supply the lunch meal. Often all day trips will provide you with a meal.

New California - Whitewater Rafting's Most Popular Destination

New California - Whitewater Rafting's Most Popular Destination

Whitewater rafting is an enjoyable and challenging sport. A whitewater rafting vacation is just the thing for people who love challenges and being in the great outdoors.

If you want some of the best whitewater rafting locations, then California is where you need to go. You see some of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations are located in California.

By far the most popular is the American River. The American River runs from the Sierra Nevada Mountains right into the Sacramento River. It splits into three forks, (North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork) before it converges.

Depending on your skill level, you will want to plan which fork you’d like to plan your trip around. If you’re a novice at whitewater rafting you might want to take a stab at the South Fork. It’s one of the most popular rapids for beginners and considered by many to be the best place for families to enjoy California whitewater rafting since it offers a variety of rapids ranging from Class I through Class III.

If you’d like a bit more of a challenge, then take up the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork provides some ofthe most popular Class III and IV rapids in California. The scenery here is simply breathtaking. Another great part about these rapids is that you don’t have to rush to make plans. The Middle Fork rafting period runs from April through October, so you have ample of time to enjoy the river.

And for the adventure seekers, California offers the North Fork of the American River. Since it’s fed from the runoff of the Sierra Nevada and mixes with the slender canyons downriver, it makes for some exhilarating and testing Class IV rapids. But you do have to act quick on this one because the prime time of year only runs from April to the early summer.

Whitewater rafting can be one of the most invigorating experiences of a lifetime. You get to see magnificent surroundings, get a great work out, and experience a remarkable venture. There are great places to go whitewater rafting all over the world, but as you can see, California is a great place to be.

Maine Whitewater Rafting – Whitewater Rafting Trips in Maine

Maine Whitewater Rafting – Whitewater Rafting Trips in Maine

Maine Whitewater offers the best in Maine adventure vacations - including Maine white-water rafting, ATV riding, snowmobiling in vacation packages of all types. We have rental cabins, standard tent sites, platform tent sites and RV camping sites.

From April through October we run Maine river rafting trips down the Kennebec river, the Dead river and Penobscot river. Maine Whitewater Rafting trips are perfect for individuals, couples, friends, families, corporate groups, youth groups and scout groups. No experience is necessary and Maine Whitewater supplies everything needed for your Maine rafting, ATV riding, fishing or snowmobiling adventure vacation.

Our massive 55-acre camping and resort complex is the largest in Maine and is located right "ON" the Kennebec River in Bingham, Maine (still in the great Maine woods, and still less than 30 minutes from civilization). Maine Whitewater's campground and resort facility includes a restaurant and pub, private indoor changing facilities, wash rooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi and full RV camping services (3 levels of power, water, and waste handling), And our Maine rental cabins have all the amenities of home, We also can set you up for hiking & biking, fly fishing trips, and can hang-out and use our volleyball courts, horseshoe pits.

To ensure maximum white water rafting fun, we use only the best rafting equipment and have he best "Registered Maine Whitewater Guides" in every raft . This is why you need no white water paddling experience! All you need is the desire to have fun, and a willingness to go for it!

At the end of the day we gather in the base lodge and will show you slides of your Maine Whitewater rafting trip (which you can search and then purchase (securely) by clicking here). After this, you can enjoy great food and drink at "Patrick's Restaurant and Pub". You can also play pool, enjoy our game room, play volleyball, enjoy a camp fire or photograph Moose on a Moose Safari. If you want to take a walk after dinner, you'll also find beautiful hiking, biking and fly fishing along the banks of the Kennebec River's "Rainbow Alley".

So whether it's the thrill of white water rafting, inflatable kayaking, a moose safari, hiking, biking, fishing, ATV riding, snowmobiling or just vacationing in Maine, Maine Whitewater outfitter company that has EVERYTHING you need! So call us toll free in the U.S. and Canada at 1-800-345-6246. You can also fax us at 207-672-4176 or send us an email !