Sunday 26 June 2016

A Closer Look at Whitewater Rafts for Your Grand Canyon Adventures

One of the most important equipment you will ever require whenever you go on a Grand Canyon adventure is the whitewater raft. However, just as there are different kinds of cars for different purposes, there are also a variety of whitewater rafts depending on the kind of Grand Canyon adventures you want to experience. Here’s a look at some of them.

  • Kayak - This whitewater raft is preferred by extreme athletes who want to really shoot the rapids. It is also the most famous of all whitewater rafts. Its highly streamlined body allows it to slice through water and is primarily designed for speed. Its lightweight construction also allow excellent maneuverability and stability even in very turbulent waters. Unfortunately, if you are just a beginner, this is not the raft for you.
  • Canoe - Many confuse a canoe for a kayak. The canoe typically resembles a boat but with the shape and some of the characteristics of a kayak. These are excellent for whitewater rafters who want to explore the calmer waters of the Grand Canyon. While lightweight, it is quite tricky to return to its normal upright position once overturned. The kayak, on the other hand, is very easy to correct.


  • Rafts - These whitewater rafts are the mainstay of most Grand Canyon adventure trips as it can hold up to 10 people at a time. These can be motorized or non-motorized. These are flat-bottomed providing excellent stability at the expense of maneuverability, however. Rafts are made of high-strength and highly durable fabric that has been duly coated with industrial grade neoprene, urethane, and PVC. There are rafts that are powered by oars and there are those that require paddles. Oars are connected to the side of the raft while paddlers are freely-held by the rafters. There is another type of inflatable raft that combines the use of oars and a paddle. The whitewater river guide is the one who holds the paddle while the passengers take charge of the oars.
  • Catarafts- A cross between a raft and two kayaks, with the latter forming a pontoon for the raft. These are generally used in calmer waters as it is quite difficult to maneuver. It is excellent for people who don’t are only there for the ride and don’t want to break a sweat paddling the cataraft. An oarsman is the one who steers and propels the craft on the water.
  • Dory - The dory is technically not classified as a whitewater raft but its maneuverability make it an ideal raft to navigate turbulent waters in rivers. Additionally, its load capacity allows it to be used for fishing in calmer waters to provide a variety of Grand Canyon adventures. Its tough hull makes it perfect for crashing through river obstacles and other water features.
  • C1s - These whitewater rafts resemble a kayak except that, instead of you sitting, you will be kneeling to propel it across the water. These are typically longer than a kayak but definitely shorter than a canoe.

These are some of the most common whitewater rafts you can see and use on your Grand Canyon adventures. Regardless of your choice, you still have to take every safety precaution you can whenever you get into the river.