If you are looking for a wonderful, exhilarating and thrilling whitewater rafting adventure in California, then I would say that the American River would certainly meet all your expectations. The American River is divided into North, South and Middle Forks, each of them being equally adventurous and stimulating! A Whitewater rafting trip along the American River would definitely prove to be the best adventure of your life!

If you want to have a riotous whitewater rafting experience, then the North Fork of the American River will solve your purpose. You will get to enjoy wilderness, beautiful valleys and an amazing sunset over here, which is a perfect setting for couples to enjoy and have fun with each other. One can also look forward to paddling across polished rocks, clear waters as well as floating on by the Tahoe National Forest and wilderness. You will certainly love the North Fork of the American River.

You will be glad to know that the Middle Fork American River presents one of the most beautiful river journeys in Northern California. It is known for its’ scenic wildlife views and forest scenes, something that you never want to miss! This river is famous for its Tunnel Chute rapid, as well as the Kanaka, Submarine Hole, and Last chance. This River offers a breathtaking whitewater experience, something that will be loved by people of all ages. The entire river is surrounded by lush vegetation, plants, forests, and wildlife.

The South Fork American is the most popular whitewater rafting rivers and offers something for the beginners and the rafting enthusiasts. You will come across both wild and intense rapids along this river, and you will also get to experience a plethora of flows throughout your journey along this river. It will give you an overall taste of both the riotous and peaceful rivers in Northern California.

As this river offers a high level of adventure and recreation, so whitewater rafting and kayaking have become some of the most admired recreational activities on this river. You can opt for one day, two-day or even half-day trips (if you don’t have so much of time) along with your friends and family. These trips don’t even cost so much and give you an opportunity to take a break from your hectic schedule and enjoy yourself outdoors.

So, if you love adventure and want to delve yourself into it, then there is no better place than the American River. The whitewater rafting trips on this river will simply amaze you! Have fun guys!

A river rafting trip can certainly rejuvenate your mind and refresh your senses. The thrill of paddling down a riotous river hurtling at you from every side can simply not be matched. Moreover, the beautiful scenery accompanying the whitewaters makes the trip even more joyous. A whitewater rafting trip can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. However, loads of risks are involved and one must carefully plan the trip to avoid the blues later on.

If you are going out with your family, then you must make sure that all the members of the family have a certain level of rafting experience and skills to match with it. It is important to choose a trip which your entire family is able to enjoy. Too hard or too intense trips for younger or less-experienced members can not only risk their safety but also turn them off from the sport completely. So, plan carefully.

Now, make a list of things that you need to bring along such as food, clothing, shelter etc. Find out if you are required to bring along food or whether it is included in the trip itself? If you have specific dietary requirements, find out if you can bring your own food or if they can accommodate your needs? Also ask about the skill requirements, age and any other specific stuff which they want. Also make sure whether you will be bringing along your own transportation for the trip or whether the company will provide it?

As far as the clothing is concerned, ensure that you bring along comfortable casuals for the trip. If you are going during summer months, then you should carry T-shirt, Bermudas and other cool stuff. If you are expecting cold weather, make sure that you bring along clothes which are dry. You should bring along hiking boots, sandals or water shoes on the trip.

If your children are accompanying you, then you can ask your trip guide about some special games which might be offered for the children. Although you will not require anything special to keep your kids occupied but it is better not to take any risk. Make sure that you carry a first-aid kit, a repair kit, an emergency signaling kit, extra rope and enough working oars and paddles on the trip.

Well, above are certain things that you need to keep in your mind while going for a river rafting trip with your family. If you plan properly and well in advance, then you are sure to avoid any sort of mishap during the trip. So, pack your bag guys and be ready to experience an exciting/adventurous trip! Have fun!

Whitewater rafting is one of the most admired adventure sports in the world. It is a thrilling/exciting recreational activity that utilizes a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. Planning out a whitewater rafting trip with your family and friends can be a great way to take a refreshing break from your daily chores and enjoy outdoors.

However, there numerous whitewater rafting destinations in US, which makes it difficult to for any individual to zero on to one particular site. Here is a list of some of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations throughout US:

1. Colorado River rafting will prove to be one of the best river rafting experiences of your lifetime. There are numerous river rafting tours in Colorado having many splendid rivers like the Arkansas River, the Colorado River and the Dolores River offering amazing rapids for you to enjoy.
2. The Salmon River in Idaho offers a remarkable whitewater rafting experience for both the beginners and experts. This river will present you with raft-soaking rapids, thereby making it the most exhilarating experience of your life. The natural beauty of the surrounding mountains will also spell-bind and marvel you.
3. White water rafting in Washington is an excellent way to enjoy this great sport, the great outdoors and the rivers of Washington State Parks. If you’ve never gone kayaking or white water rafting, there are many companies that offer classes and guided tours of Washington’s most thrilling rivers. You should not dare to miss the amazing rivers of this state and make sure that you visit this place at least once!
4. South American nation Chile also gives you an opportunity to enjoy the adventures of whitewater rafting. Futaleufu River in Chile is the ideal destination for whitewater rafting. Apart from rafting, you can also participate in horse riding, kayaking and mountain biking. The Bio rafting experience in Chile is also getting popular with more and more rafter exploring the fun and thrill.
5. The New River of West Virginia is the outdoor recreation capital of the Eastern U.S. It is an outdoors paradise known for its’ whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking trails, rock climbing, skiing and fishing. In fact, there is much more over here than you can imagine. The New River Gorge will simply tantalize your senses and take you to another world!

Well, above are some of the top whitewater rafting destinations in U.S. So, pack your bags and head on for a thrilling/captivating whitewater rafting trip! I am sure that you will adore all these destinations and enjoy to the best!

White water kayaking is the game in which the paddler moves the kayak through the white water. I must tell you that the white water is really referred to the water which moves very briskly. The white water kayaking can be very simple as well as quiet dangerous. I must tell you that white water is differentiated on behalf of the rapids, gradient and the elevation as well as the rocks around. You will be allowed to participate in different levels of the kayaking according to the experience you will have and how you are rated.

The white water is divided into six broad categories. I must tell you that the class II is the simplest and in fact easiest of them all. I must really say that the white water can be deadly as well as pleasing.

Have you ever seen the American river flowing through the California? I do feel that you will definitely find it to be the best for kayaking as far as the rivers in North America is concerned.

Types
There are generally five types of kayaking. They are as follows:

1. River running.
2. Creeking.
3. Slalom.
4. Play boating.
5. Squirt boating.

Let me describe each one of them for you. The description goes like this:

River running can be explained as the tour down the river and mean while enjoying the white water and the scenery as well. I must say that the scenery is really marvelous and you will definitely love it. You must also note down that this is not quiet specific to the American river alone. I must say that this is really common for all the rivers around the world.

As far as the slalom is concerned you will have to pass through the hanging gate in the white water. I must tell you that this type of kayaking is also the part of summer Olympics. For me as well this is the most interesting event as far as the whitewater kayaking is concerned. This is a game and I must tell you that if you want to win then you will have to surpass through the gate in least time and as well as the least time possible.

Another type of boating which is really quiet famous is the play boating. This is quiet different from the other kind of the whitewater kayaking because in this case you will have to perform some technical moves at the play spot. There are many kinds of the moves, spins; cart wheels etc which you can choose to perform. I would definitely like to add that this is really one of the most common types of kayaking.

Seeing the entire thing I must tell you that the future of this sport is great.

The white water canoeing is the one of the sport to propel the small canoe in the swift water. This can really be dangerous at times but it is quiet interesting and a mode of great fun. Hence you will think more than twice before saying no to the white water canoeing.

The white water is graded from the grade I to grade VI and you must know that you will not directly be allowed to move to the grade VI white water like American river. The canoe used in the simple white water canoeing is different from the white water racing.

Traditionally, canoes were made of tree bark, sewn with tree roots and sealed with resin. Early whitewater boats were fiberglass or Kevlar, and this is still preferred for racing due to the light weight, but most modern whitewater boats are typically rotomoulded from a tough plastic that is slightly flexible and very durable, if easily scratched. Boats can range in size from barely long enough to hold the paddler (around 6 ft long), up to 12 ft or longer.

Canoeing is really an art and the better you will learn it the better you will perform. You will have to learn how to move fast in the white water. Can you tell how you can paddle your canoe faster in order to reach the destination in quick time as far as the white water is concerned? The professionals will give you many ideas but I must tell you that you will learn the best when you will try to do it yourself.

However you will definitely need the professionals to guide you through the whole process. This is really not an easy thing and you will really need lots of practice in order become an expert in this field.

Boofing in whitewater canoeing
Boofing, in whitewater canoeing, refers to the raising of the canoe’s bow during freefall, while descending a ledge, ducking behind a boulder, or running a waterfall. This technique is used to avoid submerging the bow of the canoe by ensuring it lands flat when it hits the base of the waterfall.
However boofing is not only the technique which you will have to learn. In order to enter the level VI whitewater you will have to learn almost all the techniques. When you will get an idea about all the techniques and how to use them, then only you will be allowed to move into the higher level of white water.

There are several sub categories of the white water canoeing. They are as follows: river running, creeking, slalom etc. I must tell you that all these are really full of fun. But you will not feel it unless and until you become quiet famous.

Play boating is an art which is a part of the kayaking or the canoeing where some of the technical moves are being displayed by the paddler at the play spot. The  main difference between the play boating and the white water canoeing or the kayaking is that in the later one you will have to travel a distance in the river. However as far as the play boating is concerned you will not have to follow any route. You will have to perform everything at one place and that is the play spot.

Specialized canoes and the kayaks also known as the play boat are being used. However any boat can be used for the game. The tricks and the moves are often quiet similar to that performed by the snow boarders, surfers or skaters where the athletes completes the spin, flip or turn. As far as the modern play boats are concerned I must tell you that it is now quiet possible to get the kayak and the paddler air borne while performing the tricks. This is really quiet fantastic and I must say that you will definitely find it more than interesting and all of us really love to watch this site.

Play spots
Play spots are generally the stationary features in the river which are generally the standing waves or the holes where the water moves back on itself creating a retentive feature or the eddy line. You must know that the eddy lines are the boundary in the river where the fast water ends and the still water proceed.

Moves
Basic moves consists of the front and the back surfing, spins through any of the three axes, Stalls with the kayak vertical on the both ends. The play boaters aim to stay surfing the feature and performing the each move.

I am now going to list some of the really extraordinary play moves which you will ever see. They are as following:

1. Ender.
2. Pop up.
3. Pirouette.
4. Squirt.
5. Double pump.

I must tell you that all of these are really not so easy. Only some of the great professionals who are really quiet experienced would be able to perform all these moves.

You must also know about the surfing. There are quiet numbers surfing tricks which are really performed. I would list some of them for you. They are as follows:

1. Back surf.
2. Side surf.
3. Carving.

Apart from all these the spinning as well as the cart wheel are also quiet popular and I must say that you will certainly enjoy watching it. It is really an art and you will have to spend many years to really get used to it.

White water racing is the competitive form of white water canoeing. The job is to start from the point A and then reach point B as early as possible and before any body else. I must say that you will be declared as the winner if you will reach the destination before any other contestant in the race. I really feel that this is a great fun for everybody who participates in the game. I must also say that the matter of loosing and winning happens by chance but the fun and joy which you will experience in this race will really be immense and I must say that you will definitely be overjoyed after experiencing it.

Competitors are placed in the queue following the particular pattern which is calculated like this:

1. K1- individual kayak, male.
2. K1W- individual kayak, female.
3. C1- individual canoe, male.
4. C2- two-man canoe.

They are numbered within their class based on results from previous races and compete in reverse order which means that the best paddler is placed at last with around one minute’s difference. In order to race successfully the paddler must possess some good technical skills as well as the strength, endurance, some aerobic capability and the ability to understand and read the white water.

Wild water kayaks and canoes are 14 ft 9 in long and 23.6 in narrow, with a rounded hull profile, making them fast but unstable and hard to turn. Wild water solo canoes (C-1) are 14 ft 1 in long and 70 cm 27.5 in wide; 2-person whitewater canoes (C-2) are 5 m 16 ft 5 in long and 80 cm 31.5 in wide.
The comfort is of highest standards as far as the kayaks are concerned and I must say that you will definitely love these kayaks and canoes when you will participate in any such race.

Racers scull down a course along the fastest jets of water. In order to go fast, they follow the boundaries of wave trains and hold as straight a line as possible down the river. If it is unclear which line is fastest, two paddlers at the same time float the different options and see which boat moves ahead. Because of the high speeds, racers frequently run a river two or three times a day when training for a race. You must note that this is not the race and it is the practice session and therefore the racers really try to find the best route to complete in race in least possible time.

I really feel that the racers practice very hard and if they live beside any river then they practice in the river as well. They practice all the tricks which they will use in the race and I must tell you that this really makes the game very competitive.

Moving on a boat through rapid moving water is something which you will never dream of. However if you are adventurous then you will definitely find it to be really very interesting. With helmet as well as lots of protection it is quiet safe from the rocks but just think when you have no control on the current of the water then where will that current take you. I do feel that it is really dangerous. This sport is generally called rafting and the rapid moving water is often termed as the whitewater and the whole sports are thus called the white water rafting.

As far as the California is concerned you will definitely find the American river to be the best for the rafting. The three forks of the American river begin in the peak of the Sierra Nevada range in North California. The three lakes range in difficulty from class II (beginner) to the class IV (advanced).

The names of three forks are as follows:

1. The south fork Americans.
2. The middle fork Americans.
3. The north fork Americans.

Let us again discuss all the three in details.

1. The south fork Americans
The south fork is one of the best countries premier recreational and historical rivers. The south fork is known for its natural beauty and also the white water rafting for almost everyone. The south fork American river rafting is not for the inexperienced river rafters. The south fork is class III with some of very dangerous, tricky and exciting rapids. The length of the rapid is 21 miles. The river is suitable for rafting throughout the year, except in years with very low water runoff from snowmelt, when releases from Chili Bar Dam shut down from October till May.

2. The middle fork American
The Middle Fork of the American River runs through the scenic Sierran Foothills of Tahoe National Forest. “The Oxbow to Greenwood run is class III-IV with one Class V (Tunnel Chute) and should only be attempted with an advanced guide who knows the river, and crews of people with at least Class III river experience who are ready for a strenuous and sometimes dangerous river adventure.

You will definitely enjoy the middle fork if you are an experienced rafter. I do feel that this will definitely be really a great opportunity for you to have fun.

3. The north fork Americans
The north fork river has no dams upfront. I really feel that this river is really very wild and could be run either by rafts or the kayaks in winters and springs only. I really feel that only the very experienced rafters should try this river out because it is really the most dangerous out of the three.

I do feel that the American river is great for whitewater rafting.

The swift water rescue is also known as the white water rescue. I must say that the swift water rescue really deals with the safeguarding of the endangered people who go for the river rafting in the white water. The great American river is an example of such kind of rivers which really provides the rapids and I must say that the rapids really are of different difficulty levels. You should know that the river rafting is a very dangerous game and I must tell you that some people are really frightened after seeing the speed of the water.

I must also tell you that some people even find it really frightening to enter into the level one river rafting region. However, who do enter requires lots of protection if they are not professionals. I must also tell you that the swift water can really be dangerous at times even if you are a professional in river rafting. Hence some kind of the protection is really required in case of the swift water river rafting.

However you must know that what kind of the protection is really provided. I must tell you that there is really different kind of protection which is really provided. I would like to throw some light on it.

NFPA standards
In the USA and Canada, rope rescue is enclosed under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue, which defines 3 increasing levels of capability: Awareness, Operational, and Technician. Of these, the Swift water Rescue Technician (SRT) is divided into 3 sections: Swift water Rescue Technician I; Swift water rescue II; and Swift water rescue III. It is up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to decide what level is required to operate within a technical rescue environment.

Swift water Rescue Levels of Training
Generally, SRT1 is a qualification to perform shore-based support operations in swift water rescue. SRT2 is qualified to perform shore-based and contact rescue, and SRT3 is additionally qualified in the areas of technical rigging and to act as a Rescue Sector Officer.

In Canada, the standard for professional rescue is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1021). This standard is used by the fire service and other professional public service rescue agencies. Access-Rescue Canada delivers NFPA compliant Instructor-Training programs to these public service agencies.

I must tell you that these are some of the standards which are really being fixed in the United States and the Canada and you will be glad to know that these are really very well implemented as well. I would like to put forward one fact in front of you and that is not more accidents have really occurred during the past years in river rafting.

American river is definitely a tremendous place for those who really love rafting in California. Most of the new rafters learn to boat out here in class III south fork of American and eventually learns the basics to boat either the Class four middle fork American or the class IV+ north fork American. The proximity of the American river to Sacramento and to the South American bay makes it the region for the boaters to meet.

I really cannot imagine that how dangerous the rafting can be. I really feel that you will definitely find the rocks and the gorge to be really very dangerous. Sometimes it is too require tackling with the falls. Have you seen the anaconda II? You just recall how their boat fell in the fall and what the consequence of that was. I must say that a professional rafter is one who has really command of all the tricks related to the rafting. He must know that how will he tackle with the situation when they are going to fell in a water fall. Generally this is a very risky stunt but I have really seen some of the rafters who are really expert at this. One can only say that it is really superb.

The South Fork of the American River begins close to the South coast of Lake Tahoe and flows along Highway 50. After the stunning granite wall, Lover’s Leap, it enters a steep gorge that is an expert’s only Class V kayak run. Once it passes the beautiful town of Kyburz, expert rafters have been known to enjoy fourteen miles of Class IV and V rapids as the river follows Highway 50.

The river breaks away from the Highway and enters what is known as the “Golden Gate” run of the South Fork American. This is an extremely difficult Class V+ run that has been traveled only a few times in rafts by expert teams of river guides. The end of the “Golden Gate” run is at the Slab Creek Reservoir which diverts water from the river.

I do feel that the stones are really very dangerous. Just think of the situation when you have to tackle with some of the most beautiful but dangerous rocks. I do feel that the biggest hurdle for the rafters is the rocks. It is the rocks which really make it very tough for the rafters. Some times even the Class V+ rafters find it a bit tough and I must say that there are some of the regions of the Americans which are really not pleasant for rafting and even the best out of the best fail to cross those regions.