For nature lovers or adventure travelers, rafting is one of the most exciting weekend activities. If you’re planning to go rafting with friends, family, or your partner this upcoming holiday, we’ve compiled some essential tips to help you get ready. Wondering what to prepare for rafting? Read this article!
What is rafting?
Rafting, also known as white-water rafting, is a fun adventure activity. It involves riding on an inflatable boat or rubber raft along a fast-flowing river. Participants must use paddles to steer the raft and navigate through rocky rapids safely.
How many levels of rafting difficulty are there?
If you’re planning a rafting trip, it’s important to understand that rafting comes with 5 levels of difficulty. For your safety, it’s crucial to understand each level, as this knowledge is part of preparing for rafting.
- Very Easy: Calm water flow; anyone can paddle comfortably.
- Moderate: Slightly stronger current; requires prior rafting experience.
- Intermediate: Rapids begin to appear; requires paddling techniques and brings more excitement.
- Difficult: Strong currents; suitable for experienced rafters with advanced skills.
- Very Difficult: Extremely rapid currents with large boulders; demands high-level techniques and extensive experience.
How to prepare for safe rafting
Now that you know about the levels of rafting difficulty, let’s look at what to prepare to stay safe. Here are the key things to keep in mind before your trip:
Always wear a helmet and life jacket
Besides wearing suitable clothes, wearing a helmet and life jacket is mandatory. Helmets protect from rock impact, and life jackets help prevent drowning.
Prepare proper clothing
Rafting requires agility and safety. Your outfit should be snug, lightweight, and non-bulky. Most importantly, avoid clothes that absorb and retain water.
Avoid alcohol consumption
To ensure safety, avoid drinking alcohol before rafting. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows response time, and increases the risk of accidents.
Wear lightweight, grippy footwear
Choose shoes that are light and have excellent grip. Riverbeds and rocks can be slippery due to moss and algae. The wrong shoes can easily lead to falls.
Strictly follow all rules and instructions
Understanding and following rafting rules is essential. If an instructor says something is prohibited, you must comply. This ensures the safety of both yourself and your fellow rafters.
Where to go rafting in Kanchanaburi
If you’re fully prepared and looking for exciting rafting spots in Kanchanaburi, we recommend three great locations: Songkalia River, Sai Yok Yai National Park (Khwae Noi River), and Nakhon Nayok River in Thong Pha Phum. All three offer thrilling rafting adventures amidst natural beauty.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve reached the end of the article, you should have a clear idea of what to prepare for rafting and know a few top spots for your trip. As you may know, Kanchanaburi is famous for nature getaways and offers many other exciting activities. If rafting alone isn’t enough, we recommend staying at River Kwai Jungle Rafts, a unique floating resort in Kanchanaburi. We guarantee there are plenty more fun holiday activities waiting for you!