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tell me about white water rafting

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brainhulk

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What's the most exciting class without having to die.

Friends want to go to kern river. Not sure if we are bringing the women, but most likely
 
Class 3 rapids are exciting without being the "OH SHIT" kind. Below that, you're just getting a bit of churning water.
 
Class 3/4 is plenty fun and perfectly safe. There are people out there in there 60's who have no trouble with it. The most important thing to remember is if you go overboard, don't try to stand up.
 
Class 3/4 is plenty fun and perfectly safe. There are people out there in there 60's who have no trouble with it. The most important thing to remember is if you go overboard, don't try to stand up.

yeah they aren't to bad.

also stay in the boat. i went once where i was knocked out of the boat. no big deal until the idiots decided in the middle of the rapids to row over to me ..

they went over me and it was pure luck that i hit a rock and the boat slid off me.
 
Class 5 is pretty safe in a pig boat. A lot of it depends on the river. It can be a low consequence difficult run, or a high consequence easy run. A reputable company won't take a n00b down a dangerous river if they don't have experience.

Better than a raft is getting your own hard boat. I like open canoe, but a kayak is ok I guess if you like wearing a skirt :^D
 
You're not at a risk to die on any of the major class 4/5 rivers in the USA that are regularly run by outfitters. You'll probably be bored on Class 3, so look for a decent Class 4 in your location and go from there.

You can check youtube for vids from the popular rafting rivers to get an idea of what to expect. The one thing I'd suggest is to research the rivers for the quantity of the action, not the maximum class of the toughest set of rapids. A river that is all class 3 and 4 will be WAY more exciting and more fun than a river that is class 5 in a couple of spots with long stretches of flat water in between the rapids.

And women will be fine, as long as they can paddle a little when necessary it's not too demanding. Just make sure the boat is balanced with enough people that are strong enough paddlers, one filled with all women would be tough. I've taken my girlfriend on some of the bigger rivers in the northeast like the Hudson, Moose, Kennebec and Penobscot and she was able to keep up.
 
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Class 5 is pretty safe in a pig boat. A lot of it depends on the river. It can be a low consequence difficult run, or a high consequence easy run. A reputable company won't take a n00b down a dangerous river if they don't have experience.

Better than a raft is getting your own hard boat. I like open canoe, but a kayak is ok I guess if you like wearing a skirt :^D

But, a canoe isn't going to be very successful above roughly class 3. Though, I've seen some class 2 that'll submerge a canoe quickly, and I've seen class 3 that a canoe would glide right through with no problems. If you're forced through a standing wave (rather than over), and there's no way around, you better have a skirt.
 
But, a canoe isn't going to be very successful above roughly class 3. Though, I've seen some class 2 that'll submerge a canoe quickly, and I've seen class 3 that a canoe would glide right through with no problems. If you're forced through a standing wave (rather than over), and there's no way around, you better have a skirt.

Canoe can go anywhere a kayak can go. You can't do all the tricks a squirt boat can do, but just about anything is runnable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_qBovy9ag&list=PLDDDE9D946AD8AE3E&index=3
 
What's the most exciting class without having to die.

Friends want to go to kern river. Not sure if we are bringing the women, but most likely

If your guide is remotely competent, you'll be fine. Class 4 and higher is a ton of fun.

Women will be fine to bring. As long as they're willing to paddle hard when needed, they will be able to help just fine.

I remember a guide telling me once that the Buffalo Bills used to do an annual rafting trip, and that they were the worst. Not only were they big guys, but you couldn't get them to paddle consistently. As a result, he had to steer the boat, with 1400 lb of passengers, largely by himself.
 
You're not at a risk to die on any of the major class 4/5 rivers in the USA that are regularly run by outfitters. You'll probably be bored on Class 3, so look for a decent Class 4 in your location and go from there.

You can check youtube for vids from the popular rafting rivers to get an idea of what to expect. The one thing I'd suggest is to research the rivers for the quantity of the action, not the maximum class of the toughest set of rapids. A river that is all class 3 and 4 will be WAY more exciting and more fun than a river that is class 5 in a couple of spots with long stretches of flat water in between the rapids.

:thumbsup: Also be aware of the times you are going. Low season (usually late summer) can be a lot more calm (boring) than the same river during high season (spring)
 
Grab a tube and a life vest - a helmet for Class 4 and above and a good pair of water shoes.

Most fun you'll ever have.
 
Class 5s aren't bad. I went on a trip in high school and the class 5s were the most fun.

Just remember to do what the outfitters tell you beforehand if you get knocked out. Basically, you just go over the rapid feet first. I think you bend your knees, too.
 
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