White Water Rafting Levels / Classes Explained

[@Goldywatersports]

Thanks for knowledge delivering

[@AOrafting]

Of course, thanks for watching!

[@trwent]

I would also suggest that, in your criteria for rating a rapid, a third criterion is usually also considered: the potential consequences of a swim. For example, on Cherry Creek, Flat Rock Rapid is really not that technically difficult, but a swim there could be deadly due to a severe undercut, and that is why it is always walked around by the guests on commercial trips. Several lives have been lost in this rapid--as far as I know, all on private trips.

[@AOrafting]

That's a great point, and this is actually a consideration when grading the difficulty of the rapids which we didn't cover much here. Flat Rock is a perfect example of this concept!

[@aaizner847]

I feel like you miss a whole lot, skipping over the "+" part of the system. There's such a huge step between Class 3 and Class 4, for instance, that skipping 3+ is like skipping its own separate class. I'd say there's even a considerable difference between Class 3 and Class 3+ rapids.

[@AOrafting]

That's actually a great point, and we'll keep it in mind for the next one. Cheers!

[@Stella_smith23]

I am rafting tomorrow levels 3 and 4. I am really nervous😢 is there any tips of stuff that will help me not be nervous?😅

[@AOrafting]

First of all, congrats! That's a huge step, so props to your courage. The biggest thing we'd recommend is to listen to and trust your guide. They're out there each day running this river, and are looking out for you. Sometimes they might you to do things that don't make sense to you, but it's a good idea to listen to them anyways. The best way to successfully get through rapids is to work together as a team with your guide, so make sure you do your part. Have a blast out there, let us know what you think!

[@davidbennett1357]

on average, how fast is the water moving in a class 3 rapid situation?

[@AOrafting]

Honestly there's no sort of consistency to it, as the rapid's class mostly deals with the river's features (rocks, holes, waves, etc.) rather than the speed of the water. There is some loose correlation though, as faster water typically correlates to a more difficult rapid.

[@anthonygarland8839]

Can whirlpools happen at the higher levels?

[@AOrafting]

Good question! Whirlpools actually can happen at very low flows, and are very common on most of the rivers we raft. They tend to be very small through, and don't suck anything underwater. It's pretty rare to find ones that will alter the course of a raft, and you'll be hard pressed to find one in California. Hope to see you out on the water sometime!

[@aaizner847]

@@anthonygarland8839 Watch "The Grand Inga Project" :)

[@ИбрагимМадмаров-м7ч]

Good

[@AOrafting]

Thank you!

[@АксанаАксана-ь4р]

Спер

[@FearBeyond]

swimming required...? Umm that's why you were a life vest. Swimming is not required.

[@AOrafting]

Hey! Some lesser intense rivers don't require swimming. Since Cherry Creek is the most difficult commercially run river in America, it's necessary that all of our guests know how to swim, in addition to wearing a life vest. To raft with us, and any other company on this particular river, swimming is indeed required. If you don't know how to swim, you should check out the South Fork American river. It's awesome, and is non swimmer friendly!

[@steverogers5956]

It really is much better to have swimming skills on class 4 water or above. The jacket will float you but swimmers are a lot less likely to panic in the water and a lot more able to participate in their own rescue if they fall in. That can often mean just swimming a few strokes, but those few strokes can make the difference between a quick easy rescue and a long ugly swim.

[@AOrafting]

@@steverogers5956 Great point!

[@rickmalaschenko3046]

I attended a coroner's I quest for some one who drowned whilst white water rafting , as a guide , I would highly recommend being about to swim, 😅