A HISTORY OF COLORADO WHITEWATER RAFTING

Rafting is one of the earliest means of transportation, used as a means for shipping people, hunting, and transferring food. Now it is one of our forms of outdoor adventure and entertainment. Rafts were originally the simplest form of man’s transportation in water and were then made of several logs, planks or reeds which were fastened together. Nowadays, inflatable boats are used as rafts. This type of boat has been adopted by the military for beach assaults. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Colorado whitewater rafting should be thankful to the military for their utilization of the multi-chamber raft to prevent deflation. Many chambers prevented the whole raft from losing its pressure to stay afloat. So now you have the history of whitewater rafting beginning. If you can answer a tough question as to who has on record the first outdoor escape to rent these rafts on whitewater you know the beginning of the whitewater rafting trend that set many a company on the rivers around the world to have an outdoor activity like Colorado whitewater rafting for fun and exploration. Just to name a short list of whitewater rafting opportunities from around the world for top spots to rush through a river is in Colorado and one is Breckenridge Rafting. There are different types of whitewater rafting so choose wisely. Here they are for an education in whitewater rafting...

Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. (Skill Level: None)

Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require maneuvering.(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)

Class 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)

Class 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)

Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)

Class 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all Colorado whitewater rafting equipment. Traveling a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. (Skill Level: Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of great luck or extreme skill)