White Water Rafting In Costa
Rica
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White Water
Rafting TOURS:
Reventazón: The Tucurrique
section (Class III) is easy enough for first-timers. The Pascua section (Class
IV-V) is very wild, and requires previous rafting experience. Can be run year
round. Enjoy this tour from San
José
Pacuare: The country's
longest and most spectacular river trip (Class III-IV) can be run from mid May
thru mid March.
Two-day
or Three Day
Trip recommended. Enjoy this tour from San José
Sarapiquí:
Beautiful river (Class II-III), good trip for beginners. Can be run out of San
Jose or the Arenal area, from mid May thru mid March. Enjoy this tour from
San José
Saavegre:
Another beautiful river (Class II-III) excellent for first timers. River trips
leave from Manuel Antonio and Quepos, May thru January.
Naranjo:
A wild river (Class III-IV) near Quepos that requires some rafting experience.
Run from June thru November. Enjoy this tour from Quepos / Manuel
Antonio.
El General: A popular three-day kayaking or rafting trip
(class III-IV) best during the height of the rainy season, September to
November.
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Description
One of the first adventure disciplines that
conquered the public’s taste, and that nowadays enjoys great popularity is
rafting. It’s a sports modality that consists of descending a river of
fast waters, where the current impulses the ship. It’s directed by a
guide, while the rest of the crew help from the lateral seats with their oars.
The word “rafting” derives from the English term “raft”
which means raft.
Costa Rica may well have more world class rafting
rivers per square mile than any other country in the world.
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Equipment For White Wather
Rafting
The boat used for the practice of rafting can be of two types.
The first is a raft with a central oar, possessing two big oars that are placed
on a platform on the ship and count with a resting point. A monitor or trainer,
who will be in charge of directing the boat, conducts them. It is generally
employed to transport the luggage and food. The other is known as paddle raft,
in which the monitor direct from the rear part, with a long oar he uses as
rudder, while the rest of the steersmen, equipped with a short, single paddle
oar will follow his orders.
Rafts measure 5 x 2 meters and have a
capacity of four to ten persons. Besides the oars, members of the crew must
wear a helmet, a lifesaver, sandals and clothes that can get wet.
Cassification of Rivers
The moment they descend a river,
steersmen will face a series of obstacles such as currents, the changes in
levels and the rapids.
According to these difficulties, a
classification of rivers has been created:
Class I, Easy: Fast
current, with ripples and small waves. Little obstructions, that can be easily
surpassed with some training. The risk for swimmers is low and self-rescue
easy.
Class II, Beginners: Direct rapids with wide canals.
Simple maneuvers are needed on some sections of the river. Scarce danger for
swimmers.
Class III, Intermediate: Rapids with moderate waves.
Narrow passages and rapid currents, require complex maneuvers. A previous
exploration is recommended for those who don’t have enough experience.
Class IV, Advanced: Intense rapids, requiring precise control of
the ship in turbulent waters. Many of the maneuvers should be done quickly, and
under pressure. Water conditions make self-rescue difficult, so group’s
assistance is necessary.
Class V, Expert: Very long and violent
rapids. Descents may have waves, big holes and abrupt falls with complex
routes. Rescue is very difficult.
Class VI; Extreme: Only for
expert teams, running the river under strict safety norms. Consequences of
errors are severe and rescue may be impossible.
Rowing and
Safety Commands
- ¡Todos adentro! (adentro, abajo) (get
down): All passengers in squatted position on the raft’s floor to avoid
falling into the water.
- ¡Todos arriba!: keep rowing
- ¡Lado alto! (highside): everyone should
place themselves on the side that goes up, to balance the raft.
- ¡Adelante! (Forward): everyone rows
forward.
- ¡Atrás! (Back paddle): everyone rows
backwards.
- ¡Izquierda atrás! (Left back): the
left side rows backwards while the right goes forward. This makes the raft turn
left.
- ¡Derecha atrás! (Right back): the
right side rows backwards while the left one goes forward. The raft turns to
the right.
- ¡Alto! (Stop): break
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