White Water Rafting

Rafts hold up to eight or nine rafters, as well as the instructor.

Not necessarily. If you book individual experiences you will be part of a group to make up a raft. Some venues do require a minimum number of people, so please see each individual rafting venue page for more details.

White water rapids are given a grade between 1 and 6. One is gently flowing water, whilst level six is deemed 'un-runnable'. The lower the number, the less gnarly the waters are!

When you go white water rafting on rivers you are riding the naturally occurring rapids in often stunning scenery. At man-made white water rafting centres the facilities are excellent and you will be riding a course where the flow of water can be controlled to make it as extreme or gentle as you like.

It depends if you just want to ride straight up and down the course, or if you play in the stoppers and waves on the way down. Your experience is usually counted on a time basis, so within that time you might get multiple runs in.

Each venue has its own policy on whether you need to be able to swim to white water raft. Some of the more extreme rapids will require you to be a good swimmer. In other cases, just confidence in the water is sufficient. For all experiences, an on-shore briefing will show you what to do if you fall out of the raft.

Yes, a reasonable level of fitness if required for going white water rafting - and you'll need to paddle whilst you're in the raft too!

Venues supply free of charge or payable locally wetsuits, helmet, buoyancy aid and sometimes wet boots too. You need to bring swimmers to wear under the wetsuit. If it's cold a rash vest of thermal top can be a good idea.

You should wear trainers (preferably lace up ones) that you don't mind getting wet. Some locations include wet boots with their provided kit.

Don't forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes. All our venues have toilet, changing and shower facilities.