If you’re looking for an exciting activity to try this summer, whitewater rafting is a perfect opportunity to try. No matter your level of experience, there are whitewater rafting activities that will fulfill your spirit of adventure! Read on to learn more about what you need to know before going on your first whitewater rafting experience.

Whitewater Rafting for Beginners

If you’re ready to get wet, but want a little more excitement than the community pool, hop on an inflatable raft and paddle through the rapids. While you may have seen whitewater rafting portrayed in the media, it isn’t always about flying through rushing water and narrowly missing boulders. There are different classes of rapids, with the lowest class bring slower and easy to navigate. If you’re just starting out, this is a perfect place to begin. As you build strength, endurance, and skill, you can move onto higher classes for a more thrilling experience.

And don’t worry about having to go out there alone! Whitewater rafting is a team activity, with everybody paddling the best they can. An experienced guide may lead the activity, taking on much of the more difficult navigating, but for easy rapids, no guide or experience is necessary to have fun!

The Benefits of Whitewater Rafting

No doubt, whitewater rafting is great exercise. Paddling through rapids can burn hundreds of calories an hour, and can help you build strength and endurance. In addition, regularly rafting can tone your back, arm and shoulder muscles. Being outdoors and in nature can help relieve stress and relax your body, especially on an easy course, so it’s great for your mental health. And if you head out with friends or family, the bonding experience will last a lifetime. Even if you decide raft with a group of strangers, you’ll develop team-building skills and self confidence. As you get better, your confidence will grow and you’ll develop a great and healthy skill.

Get Out There!

If you’re hungry for a new challenge, and want something that’s good for your health too, whitewater rafting should be in your plans this summer! When you stick to easy rapids, the risk of injury is minimal, and the rewards to your body and mind are beneficial. Before you dive in, a few words of advice:

• Wear protective gear – don’t ditch the helmet or life jacket, no matter how confident you are! And lather on the sunscreen too – look for the kind that’s waterproof
• Dress right – you’re going to get wet, so pack your bathing suit! And pack a few towels and some dry clothes for when you’re finished
• Avoid accessories – jewelry, hats, and sunglasses are likely to get lost during your adventure, so keep them in your bag.