Whitewater kayaking is a popular sport and more people are thronging to the rapids than ever before. Easy access, low costs, thrills and spills, and learning something new and exciting is all part of the game. But before you take a tumble down those rapids, learn to analyze the river you’re intending to run so that your trip is a fun one and not one that ends badly.
Know what type of water you’re facing. Try to determine if the water is moving very quickly or more slowly, and if there are any currents you should be wary of. It’s a very good idea to learn about the river you’d like to descend so as to know ahead of time if there are impassible areas where you’ll have to portage your craft as opposed to taking a breakneck risk. Take a look at the terrain around you. Are you on a mountain that certainly offers steep descents, wild water, and speeds that may be too much for your skill level of whitewater kayaking? Is the slope of the terrain gentle and promising of a quieter trip with just a few thrills? Does a map of the river show plenty of twists and curves or a straighter line?
Be on the lookout for downed trees, branches, or anything else in the water. River hazards are plentiful and trying to spot them before you’re on top of them and in trouble is a must. Bridge piers are another thing to watch out for while whitewater kayaking, as is the risk of barbed wire or any kind of line stretched across the water. Stay away from dams and dams with hydraulic reversal. Watch out for tight squeezes between rocks or threatening whirlpools that may be difficult to pull out of if you get sucked in to the swirling water.
The weather forecast is one thing you’ll want to know before heading out on your whitewater kayaking expedition. If the forecasters are calling for a storm, keep in mind that heavy, sudden rain can change plenty of factors about the river. The water temperature may drop, and there may be more water and swifter currents than you can handle if heavy rains begin. Also, know what the weather trend has been like in the past week - have many rainy days swollen the river or has a dry spell made rocks and obstacles more dangerous than usual?
Knowing the past weather may give you an indication of whether water lines have dropped from a dry spell or the river has swelled with more water than usual. These two situations change the normal descent of river whitewater kayaking and can spell trouble, since the path of the water will be less predictable than usual. Even if the water is shallow, rain and recent flooding can make the current swifter and thus, more dangerous.
Class ratings are given to all rapids and rivers to let people know what they’re getting into before they ride white water. Whitewater kayaking uses six ratings, from class I to class VI, and you should only try out the rivers that match your skill level. Feeling overconfident about your river kayaking skills or wanting to push your limits isn’t the best choice. To get the most from your whitewater kayaking day, choose a classification that you know you can handle.
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