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Summer is upon us and the beaches of our islands beckon with their calm waters and powdery sands. The season provides a boost to the local tourist havens and respite for the weary worker – with throngs of travelers going to the many sand banks for some rest and relaxation.
But if you require a more challenging endeavor, then there is nothing quite like zipping through a sea of white rapids. Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. It is one of the newer sports adventure to pervade the country.
A Moment Past
It is interesting to note that whitewater rafting was one of the earliest forms of transportation. It was not only used for carrying people but also for transferring goods from one place to another. However, it became quite popular as a form of leisure activity in the 1980s. In 1811, the first recorded attempt to navigate the Snake River in the United States was planned by the Overland Astorians. While attempting to boat the stretch below Jackson Hole, the river was found to be too treacherous and it came to be called “Mad River.”
The rubber river raft is believed to have been invented in the early 1840s. It was first made by Lt. John Fremont, who was then serving in the U.S army and Horace H. Day. They invented the rubber raft with the intention of surveying the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. Although the raft was invented in the mid-nineteenth century, it was not until the turn of the century that the first ever commercial whitewater trip was undertaken. At first, surplus military rafts were used as boats and it was only much later that inflatable rafts were used.
A Caveat
Rafting is thrilling, exciting, wet, wild and unbelievably fun. However, as with all adventure sports, there is inherent risk involved. That risk contributes to the excitement, and is one of the reasons people enjoy rafting so much. Guides are trained to minimize and manage risks, and, statistically, you're safer in a raft than in your car. The most common injury on most rafting trips is sunburn, and most other injuries occur on land, especially getting into and out of the boats.
Where to go?
There are a number of whitewater rafting destinations in the Philippines, the most popular among them include: Chico River in Kalinga Province, Quezon Province River, Sagada in the Mountain Province, Ibulao River in Ifugao, and the "Twin River" in Apayao, which are all located in Luzon. For the Visayas, there are the Tibiao river in Antique and Calbiga river in Samar. While Mindanao offers the Kabula river in Baungon,Bukidnon and the Cagayan River in Cagayan de Oro.
Now What?
Before beginning to search for the right river rafting trip or experience, determine what is within reach and meets your goals. Time spent choosing a river trip, and really knowing what to expect, can save your vacation. Some river rafting trips are scenic floats with little or no whitewater. Other rafting experiences can provide continuous action and be very challenging. A limited few offer both.
Even once you've selected an outfitter, most whitewater rafting companies have multiple river trip options. Major outfitters typically offer trips on numerous rivers or several sections of a river. You will still have many choices in time, cost, and paddling challenge. Narrow down those options using web sites, talking to friends, and talking to group members. Thoughts for discussion include where you will be traveling, how much time and money do you want to devote to this experience, what is the comfort level of each participant, and what style of trip matches your trip goals. Once you have narrowed it down to two or three options, a call or email to the outfitter can help you make that final decision.
You will want to consider experience, the selection and training process for newer guides, commitment to guest satisfaction, cancellation policy, and even higher risk incidental services like transporting guests to and from the river. All outfitters will most likely say their guides are the best, well trained, fun, safe, etc. They may say their trips are the longest, they have more rapids, or their equipment is the best. P ay attention to details they willingly provide. Look for outfitters who can provide specifics such as, “Our guides attend a guide school followed by 10 days of river training” or “each guide is required to have advanced first aid training to advance past the first year.” Basic First Aid & CPR are the minimums almost all river outfitters are required to have. Almost all single day trips use the same stretch of river and whitewater rapids. Multi-day trips can vary more significantly. Variations in number of rapids or length of trip in miles should be viewed skeptically and clarified.
Quality commercial rafts are designed to last about 10 years. Brand new rafts don’t mean as much as well maintained rafts. Personal gear such as a PFD (personal floatation device) should be on a regular cleaning schedule. Whitewater rafting is a sport that includes risks. Your #1 goal should be to find an outfitter that will expose you to the experience while reducing the risk involved in doing so. An outfitter that focuses on controlling risk versus promoting the ways they can increase risk and exposure identifies a key point in the selection process. For those experienced enough to seek increased risk, there are many river options that challenge physical and mental strength to the edge but with the goal of overcoming it versus throwing yourself into it.
Since there are so many variables and options don't let one item determine your choice but instead a combination of all factors. T he outfitters that are leaders in the industry will stand out in many if not all areas. B alance consideration of cost with risk, travel time with trip goals, and trip options with group members. You might spend slightly more money but feel much more relaxed, travel farther but enjoy the actual experience much better, or raft less days on milder rapids but include more friends who might not have participated.
There are enough river rafting experiences available for many lifetimes. Each brings its own challenges and memories. So go out there and lose yourself in white, wet fun.
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