What to Expect on a Paddling Trip

Introduction 

 

Whitewater river rafting, canoeing, sea kayaking and whitewater kayaking are some of the most exciting outdoor activities available to the weekend warrior or to the avid enthusiuast. It’s the kind of adventure that is great to share with friends and often people gravitate back to these sports if they had a positive experience. In order to have a positive experience, one needs to expect that there are dynamics to every experience. Having expectations, and abiding by the expectations set by the outfitters will help solidify a life enhancing experience.

 

Most people have their own ideas or impressions about what a paddling trip entails. Here are some points and questions about paddling you may not have considered. 

Expect to Get Wet 

 

I know that getting wet on a paddling trip sounds like it should go without saying, but you would actually be surprised as to how many people expect to stay dry!. Some people think that by sitting in the back of the boat, or cringing when the wave comes that it will some how create an impenetrable force field which will shun the water away. On the contrary, those who avoid the water, often get the wettest! This means that you should dress for the occasion and only bring things that can, in fact, get wet. 

 

Getting wet while enjoying watersports is a welcome reprieve from the heat on a hot summer day. It also adds to the thrill and excitement of the whole experience even in cold weather and water. Furthermore, the guides will usually let you jump in and swim at some point during the trip so you’ll want to be ready for that. Of course, there is always the chance of getting thrown out of a raft or flip your kayak and as such it is imperative a person know how to swim. So the bottom line is to count on getting wet. Remember, if you don’t get wet while on the river or ocean then you’re probably doing something wrong. 

Expect to be Cold

 

Not all rivers and oceans are cold. Sea kayaking int he bathtub tempature waters of Belize, or paddling down rivers in Equador will be beautifully warm. However, the majority of the rivers are fed from snow melt, or glacial melt...and thus are cold. Even the Colorado river down the Grand Canyon is brutally cold as the river is fed from the waters at the bottom of Lake Powell. A short swim in mountain or dam fed waters will quickly induce hypothermia if not adequately prepared. It can be cold even in the summer months on river trips and ocean excursions. Add the cold water temperatures with the air coming off of mountain slopes or along shorelines and you can imagine that it does indeed get cold on these trips. 

Wetsuits are recommended to combat the cold during the spring months. Most commercial outfitters provide thermal gear like wetsuits or drysuits however if they don't, you can usually rent them from the rafting company but you may want to arrange for this ahead of time if you do. If you plan to go paddling in chilly conditions more than once in your life, it would pay to buy your own wetsuit and thermal gear. This will save you on rental fees and also spare you from having to wear rental wetsuits. Wool socks, polypropylene long underwear, and windbreakers are also good to combat the cold. An important tip: ***Try booking the morning trip on 1/2 day excursions, as the gear will likely be drier than going in the afternoon, where the gear is still wet from the morning trip. 

 

It may very well be that a bathing suit is fine in the summer but it’s best to ask the outfitter what type of attire is best to wear for the particular time of year and river / ocean you will be paddling on. On a side note, since we are discussing paddling clothing, you should always have on protective footwear which have a closed toe and fit securely on the foot. 

Expect the Shuttle 

 

Most people underestimate the often long bus rides that accompany a whitewater rafting or kayaking trip. Rivers are usually in heavily wooded areas and might have limited road access. This means getting to and from the river could take you some time. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it and the shuttle to get to and from the river is just a part of the whole process. Shuttles need to be planned, and it is not normally experienced by those sea kayaking. 

 

You can make things easier on yourself by taking a few precautions up front which in the long run will make this part of the trip at least bearable. First, go to the bathroom before getting on the bus. Second, bring a snack for the drive and plan on storing a snack and drink for the drive back. Third, see if you can have a towel and dry clothes on the bus that will be picking you up. There’s nothing worse than being cold, wet, hungry, and having to go to the bathroom while being stuck on a bus navigating the windy and steep roads after a whitewater trip. Others will envy you, and likely bribe you for your goodies!  

 

It would be a good idea to ask the question of your rafting or kayaking company as they could tell you exactly how long of a drive it will be to the put-in and from the take-out. Shuttles of 30 minutes or more could get uncomfortable if not prepared.

Expect Limitations

 

Rafts and kayaks generally have very limited space for anything other than people. Guides will usually carry a first aid kit and a small repair / rescue kit may also be teathered into the craft. Believe it or not that’s probably all the craft will hold. What room there is on the floor of the raft won’t hold much of anything for long since you will be going through waves, surfing the holes, and with the possibility of flipping the raft. Kayaks, with the exception of some sea kayaks will only have small amounts of room in the stern (back of the boat). However overloading the boat will dramatically alter the performance of the craft.

 

Remember also that anything you bring on a boat will get wet and is easily damaged. All of this is to say, don’t count on bringing anything with you. Of course, there can be ways around this by carrying small items in your lifejacket, paddling jacket or windbreaker, and any tight fitting pack you can wear on your waist. However, some guides may disallow this for safety reasons.

Expect Training on the Trip

 

It is quite common to wonder if you will receive training on your paddling trip. The answer is yes you will. It is in the outfitter's best interest for you to enjoy your time with them. It is also in their best interest that everything from the unloading and packing of the gear to the trip itself is as safe as it can be. Both mean that you must be trained and it is up to them to do so.

 

The training will usually may consist of a video at the beginning of the day. These videos or pre-river meetings will go over risks involved and you will likely have to sign a liability waiver, waiving your rights to sue if the unexpected were to occur. Of note:*** Waivers usually do not preclude the client for litigation due to improper training, or negligence on behalf of the guide or outfitter. At the launch point the outfitter will go through how to carry the craft on land as well as the signals your guide will use while on the water. Once on the water you will practice basic strokes with the paddle as you follow the guides commands. Of course all of this varies from outfitter to outfitter but it will be covered in some fashion or other.

Expect to Have Fun

 

Being prepared does not mean that it "will take all the fun out of it". On the contrary, being prepared will allow you to continue to have fun when the weather gets cold, or if you go for a swim, or if a minor medial problem arises. Paddlesports brings people together to enjoy the world from a different medium, and it truely an enjoyable experience which draws people back time and time again!