Can you go white water rafting if you cant swim
Re: white water rafting
yes, I am a pathetic swimmer and have gone whitewater rafting many times. what u noted was the most common fear of ppl that they are not good enough swimmers, but it really does not matter.
you have to wear a lifevest, and depending on what levels the rapids are classified at, a helmet is well. In some places they advise you to wear these rubber boot tingiues as well because if you fall over and have to push yourself away from rocks, it helps offer some protection because the rocks can be sharp.
where are you planning to go?
Can you go white water rafting if you cant swim
Absolutely Not!
yes, I am a pathetic swimmer and have gone whitewater rafting many times. what u noted was the most common fear of ppl that they are not good enough swimmers, but it really does not matter.
you have to wear a lifevest, and depending on what levels the rapids are classified at, a helmet is well. In some places they advise you to wear these rubber boot tingiues as well because if you fall over and have to push yourself away from rocks, it helps offer some protection because the rocks can be sharp.
where are you planning to go?
Pir Sahib you is giving bad advice..........I guess there is always a first time.....I have not seen this from you.........
**What you are ignoring .........One very Important Fact about water........
One who does not know how to swim.........Also does not know how or When to breath..................
A non swimmer goes under will panic and start to breath.........swallows water into their windpipe...........they can drown easily in one foot of water...:(
**
Re: white water rafting
Obama
I can barely swim to save my life and have gone white water rafting over a dozen times, diff countries diff states…I have fallen in the rapids on several occassions and it is not an issue. In Pennsylvania where I did most of my rafting I took 2-3 trips each season and took new ppl who had never gone white water rafting and many who were even worse than I am at swimming. I speak from rather extensive personal experience. These were uni trips that I oranized so there would be anywhere from 15-30 people for the trip (15 meant smaller bus, 30 meant lmid size bus) so there were many people and we had no major injury, no death, nothing due t someone not knowing how to swim. one dude’s oar hitting someone in the face, or falling over and getting a cut on your foot due to rocks etc were what we saw and even that was like a handful of instances.
They provide specific type of lifevests which have neck and head protection in them as well (depending on what level the rapids are) ..when you have a life vest on, you are not going underwater.
But in support of my words, here is some food for thought.
Whitewater Rafting FAQ’s, Whitewater Rafting Questions and Answers
What if I can not swim?
Don’t be to concerned. It’s more of a question of how comfortable are you in the water. Wear your Personal Floatation Device (life jacket) at all times. In rivers you go with the flow and work your way toward shore. It doesn’t require much swimming skill. You might want to swim a rapid in your PFD, with a qualified person and then decide if Whitewater rafting is for you
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions Rogue River Whitewater Rafting Trips Tours
What if I can not swim?
Don’t be too concerned. It’s more of a question of how comfortable are you in the water. Wear your Personal Floatation Device (life jacket) at all times. In rivers you go with the flow and work your way toward shore. It doesn’t require much swimming skill. You might want to swim a rapid in your PFD, with a qualified person and then decide if Whitewater rafting is for you
What if I cannot swim? Can I still go rafting? Can I still go rafting?
You do not need to know how to swim to go rafting with us.
You’ll be wearing a top-of-the-line life jacket when you are on the water. Everyone on our trips wears a coast-guard approved buoyancy vest. This will keep you afloat in the event that you find yourself in the river. We take many non-swimmers on trips, and they have a great time. It is more important that you are not afraid of the water. If you should happen to fall in the river, you will float like a cork (a little wet and exhilarated but safe). 90% of accidents happen on shore
What if I can’t swim? Can I still go on a Colorado whitewater rafting trip?
Many of our guests can’t swim. We supply type V life jackets that are designed to keep you afloat with no effort from you. The jacket is designed to keep you floating on your back with a floating flap behind your head. This will help keep your head out of the water in rough whitewater conditions. The best trips for you will be the Class I, II and III trips we offer
Frequently Asked Rafting Questions and Answers | Rafting America
If I can’t swim, can I still go rafting?
Everyone on commercial rafting trips wears a coast guard approved life vest or personal flotation device (PFD). This critical piece of equipment will keep you afloat in the event that you find yourself in the river. Many non-swimmers go on Rafting America rafting trips, and they have a great time. Your guide will give you an in depth safety talk before your trip explaining what you should prepare for and do in the event you fall out of the raft. Your guide is professionally trained in whitewater rescue and will work with the rest of your guide team to ensure that you are able to feel comfortable with the whitewater conditions on your trip. All non-swimmers should talk to their outfitter when considering a Class IV+ or Class V trip.
Re: white water rafting
Yes you can, but i wouldn't recommend it... it's like learning to run when you can't even walk...
However, if you feel comfortable with it, then go for it. And you always have the PFD to rely on :)
You said you can barely swim…important thing is you know how to breath and not to breath in water…
I know a 6 ft guy non swimmer fell in when raft tipped over…in this case water was very cold…he was shocked and panicked in rushing cold water…was under til another raft pulled him out…lucky for him the second raft was behind him…it only takes seconds for lights out!
better to be prepared…
Re: white water rafting
def good to be prepared,
the rafting places have diff scenarios, guide on raft, verus raft completely run by customers and guide is in a kayak closeby etc.
what they try to do is break up teams so each raft has a mix of newbie experienced person etc.
they go over safety in qute detail before you set foot in a raft.
as i said, i took ppl rafting who had never swam at all.
Re: white water rafting
Yes you can. I am not a good swimmer and some of my friends can't swim at all but we've been a few times.
As X2 said you can always wear a vest if you are scarred.
def good to be prepared,
the rafting places have diff scenarios, guide on raft, verus raft completely run by customers and guide is in a kayak closeby etc. what they try to do is break up teams so each raft has a mix of newbie experienced person etc. they go over safety in qute detail before you set foot in a raft.
as i said, i took ppl rafting who had never swam at all.
It sounds like fun..........
Yes you can. I am not a good swimmer and some of my friends can't swim at all but we've been a few times. As X2 said you can always wear a vest if you are scarred.
Not scared of the Water............it is the rocks that can knock you out...:)
Re: white water rafting
Its depending on the grad of White water Rafting. Atleast here in NZ we do have grads, we once suffered a rapid flow of excessive water throwing us off the raft and in water. This offcourse is a scenario that happens quite rarely, never the less it could have been a very bad experiance if it wasnt for the swimming abilities of the guys.
Re: white water rafting
Thanks for the info. Ive never been before, but would like to try it at least once. I looked up some different places online, some of them said they only take you if you know how to swim and others said its ok if you dont know, just dont freak out in the water
Re: white water rafting
i think a first timer should go to level II/III rapids at most, its enough exhilaration and they choose places with less rocks that u have to navigate through anyways.
the lifevest is not an option in any of teh places I have been to, it is a must.
I have been thrown off a raft 3-4 times I think, the only time it was an issue was where the ppl in my aft were aall newbies except one and did nto know the ebst way to pull me back in the raft which is basically to grab the dude under arms and then fall backwards, the body weight pulls the offboard person up much easier than ppl trying to pull. now in all that hoops my feet were hitting rocks, and luckily I had those rubbr boots because the sharp rocks dug into them and siced the top layer, my feet were safe though, some minro abrasions above the boots though.
anything can be dangerous,
midnight eyes, as far as places you are going to, see rapids grades and which ones specialize in new rafters.
and honestly unless you are going to some major grade rapids, which they will not let you on most likely anyways, if you do fall, the advise is very simple..be on your back, feet in front so if you are pushed towards any rocks you stop them or push yourself away with your feet.
the guides are all around and if your raft ppl cant help, u will be pulled on the next raft and they will ask your raft to hold back and then have u move over further up. I will post some pics here, one id me leading the raft and I served as the rudder so even if the ppl are not rowing well I could guide the raft..another one is me sitting just after being pulled out ..I had lost my oar :D
for people worried about hitting rocks when you fall off teh raft, rocks hit you when you are in the raft too. thats why you should sit on the inflatable part with both feet in the raft, u will feel teh rocks hit your feet from the bottom of teh raft anyways, newbies who get scared of maintaning balance on the raft and sit inside learn the lesson the hard way when the rocks hit their bums. :)
Re: white water rafting
One of the things I'd love to do some day. And I'm not a good swimmer at all.
Re: white water rafting
Yes you can. Make sure you have vest and helmet on.
We go every year and my husband can't swim for the lifeof him. We have both fallen over into the river and besides in initial shock of the cold water - you'll do just fine.
Make sure you go with a group of people - in the summer the rivers are swamped with people anyways.
i think a first timer should go to level II/III rapids at most, its enough exhilaration and they choose places with less rocks that u have to navigate through anyways.
the lifevest is not an option in any of teh places I have been to, it is a must.
I have been thrown off a raft 3-4 times I think, the only time it was an issue was where the ppl in my aft were aall newbies except one and did nto know the ebst way to pull me back in the raft which is basically to grab the dude under arms and then fall backwards, the body weight pulls the offboard person up much easier than ppl trying to pull. now in all that hoops my feet were hitting rocks, and luckily I had those rubbr boots because the sharp rocks dug into them and siced the top layer, my feet were safe though, some minro abrasions above the boots though.
anything can be dangerous,
midnight eyes, as far as places you are going to, see rapids grades and which ones specialize in new rafters.
and honestly unless you are going to some major grade rapids, which they will not let you on most likely anyways, if you do fall, the advise is very simple..be on your back, feet in front so if you are pushed towards any rocks you stop them or push yourself away with your feet.
the guides are all around and if your raft ppl cant help, u will be pulled on the next raft and they will ask your raft to hold back and then have u move over further up. I will post some pics here, one id me leading the raft and I served as the rudder so even if the ppl are not rowing well I could guide the raft..another one is me sitting just after being pulled out ..I had lost my oar :D
for people worried about hitting rocks when you fall off teh raft, rocks hit you when you are in the raft too. thats why you should sit on the inflatable part with both feet in the raft, u will feel teh rocks hit your feet from the bottom of teh raft anyways, newbies who get scared of maintaning balance on the raft and sit inside learn the lesson the hard way when the rocks hit their bums. :)
I can't swim at ALL and I have been on several rafting trips in the PA/NY areas and enjoyed immensely. Same case was you are required to wear a life vest & a helmet. Usually 1 or 2 certified guides travel in the pack or on nearby kayaks and if you do fall out and freak out there will always be someone to grab you. However the vest will keep you afloat. As a matter of fact, on most trips, we actually kinda pulled the rafts over in certain section of water and everyone got into the water to enjoy the water, was pretty safe and you do NOT go under with the life vest on. Like X2 mentioned, they give you a thorough orientation of safety and instructions before you begin. Also the rafts have these rope handle that you can hold on to, and the stronger rapids they teach you the basics of how to row with and against the rapids...and in some parts where the rapids are rough, they even teach you to grab on to the rope and duck.....it's pretty neat. The raft I went on even has a portion under the seat where you can tuck your foot in for balance, and avoid falling out. I would be more concerned with whether the people in my raft can follow directions and paddle together in the same direction! Me and hubby went on a trip where this couple was SOOO lazyyy!!! The girl just did not want to paddle....got me so pissed....then if she did paddle, she did all wrong, causing us to go in all sorts of directions....
Also just make sure you have the stamina to paddle for at least 3-4 hours depending on how long the stip is, and how strong the rapids are. Remember the slower the rapids, the HARDER it is to paddle and get thru. You get more of a workout when the water is more still
Yes you can. Make sure you have vest and helmet on.
We go every year and my husband can't swim for the lifeof him. We have both fallen over into the river and besides in initial shock of the cold water - you'll do just fine.
Make sure you go with a group of people - in the summer the rivers are swamped with people anyways.
Lol, me n hubby went last year in the Poconos, and it was SWAMPED with people. Almost like traffic in the river....hehe.....fun but yet annoying at the same time. Also depends when you go. If you go in like July/August, the cold water is very welcome, after you have started sweating in the heat and all!!! You actually WANT to take a dip in the water :)