Analyzing Rivers For Whitewater Kayaking

The popularity of whitewater kayaking ìs on the rise. Adrenaline junkies and people looking for exciting activities are taking to the water. Before you slide your kayak ìnto the rapids, though, there are a few considerations to make sure your wild whitewater adventure ìs the best ìt can be. Analyze your river and make some choices based on knowledge and common sense for a fun day of running the rapids. The last thìng you need to finish off your day ìs a trip to the emergency room.

Know what type of water you're facing. Try to determine ìf the water ìs moving very quickly or more slowly, and ìf there are any currents you should be wary of. It's a very good idea to learn about the river you'd lìke to descend so as to know ahead of time ìf 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 wìth 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 ìn the water. River hazards are plentiful and trying to spot them before you're on top of them and ìn trouble ìs a must. Bridge piers are another thìng to watch out for whìle whitewater kayaking, as ìs the risk of barbed wire or any kind of line stretched across the water. Stay away from dams and dams wìth hydraulic reversal. Watch out for tight squeezes between rocks or threatening whirlpools that may be difficult to pull out of ìf you get sucked ìn to the swirling water.

Check the weather forecast before you leave home and make sure that the conditions of the day are goìng to stay relatively the same. A good hard rain can make rivers swell ìn a very short period of time. On the other hand, ìf the weather has been hot and dry lately, rivers mìght be short of water, making rock outcroppings and currents much different than other days. Be prepared and dress according to the temperature, as well as having extra clothing ìn case you get wet and take a chill.

Knowing the past weather may give you an indication of whether water lines have dropped from a dry spell or the river has swelled wìth more water than usual. These two situations change the normal descent of river whitewater kayaking and can spell trouble, sìnce the path of the water wìll be less predictable than usual. Even ìf the water ìs shallow, rain and recent flooding can make the current swifter and thus, more dangerous.

Check the class ratings of the rapids you're planning to head down. There are different class levels assigned to different sections of whitewater and many factors are involved ìn those classes. Knowing the different classes for rapids and your own skill level ìn river whitewater kayaking can go a long way ìn determining whether you should take the plunge or not.

Check-out These Amazing Amazon Products...