Whitewater and river rafting 101

I immediately sensed that this glorious day was ending as the cold water enveloped my body.

I had envisioned a fun day of rafting on the river, not swimming under it! This is July, for crying out loud; how can the river be this darned cold?

Now where did that life jacket go? Hopefully Flo, my girlfriend, was able to grab hers. Wow, those rocks are hard. Which way is up? Hang on, lungs. I think I see the surface. Wow, air never tasted so good! Uh oh, another rock coming fast. Come on arms and legs, swim like our life depends on it!

It’s surprising how often the above scenario happens to novice rafters who take some short cuts and venture out unprepared. Having rafted and kayaked since 1970, I can tell some stories about my own misadventures and those I’ve witnessed. This article is not about telling stories, but provides some general ideas to consider if floating a river may be in your future.

The bottom line is that the river, any river, is not a controlled environment like an amusement park. Nature pulls no punches and the river just does its thing, like it or not. To improve on the “liking it” part, here are some of the many variables to consider:

• Water and air temperature. Floating the North Umpqua from Amacher Park to Hestnes Landing in July in an inner tube is much different than floating near Steamboat Inn 50 miles upstream in April, or even July, for that matter. A general rule of thumb is that when you add the water and air temperatures together for that day and if the total is less than 100, you should wear protective clothing such as a wet suit or run the risk of hypothermia.

The water temperature of the North Umpqua by Steamboat can be in the 40s in early spring and will stay in the 50s in the summer. Even if you don’t fall in, just getting splashed all day can get those teeth chattering.

• River rating system. I think most everyone has heard about the power of moving water, but until you’ve been at its mercy, it is underestimated. There are some river rating guidelines that can help us determine the difficulty of a river.

The ratings are loosely based on the difficulty of maneuvering a boat and the danger of the area. These factors take into account the general speed of the current, which is determined by the gradient (steepness); the obstacles (boulders and ledges) that the water goes over and around; and the length of the rapids.

Long rapids with limited rescue options create different problems than short rapids with a section of slow water below. In other words, getting your boat down a river with a steep gradient and many big boulders is more difficult than running a meandering stream.

The scale goes from Class 1 to Class 6, with the low numbers being the easiest. Rock Creek Falls on the North Umpqua is a Class 5+. It can and has been boated, but one is risking life and limb.

The Amacher to Hestnes run is a Class 1+ or easy 2, hence it works for inner-tubes and the annual Pepsi Float during the summer. There are many guidebooks available that list the ratings for various sections of rivers. Information is also available at U.S. Forest Service and BLM offices.

• Equipment suitability. The famous line about “ the fool who brought a knife to a gun fight” also sums up appropriate planning for whitewater boating. In other words, an inner tube is probably OK on Class 1 but is risky on Class 3 and up. Inexpensive rafts and kayaks are great on lakes, but aren’t made to hit rocks and can fold over in big waves, dumping the riders.

An appropriate life jacket for whitewater is going to cost from $70 to $150, not $20 and must be Coast Guard approved (check the label). Be sure it fits and most important, wear it!

Consider the value of your life or that of your loved ones when digging into your wallet for equipment. Not only will good equipment survive the rigors of whitewater, but also it may last a few years beyond your first trip.

Check the weather and wear appropriate clothing for the day. This may include anything from a wet suit and nylon splash pants and jackets on cool days to big hats and lots of sunscreen on hot days. Other equipment can include rescue rope, spare oars or paddles, drinking water and food.

• Experience. If you are truly a first-timer, then consider going as a passenger with an experienced boater. If you’ve just bought a raft or kayak, launch on a lake or very calm section of river for your first outing. Practice with the paddle or oars to gain confidence and to ensure that the equipment actually works as advertised.

As you gain experience, use the river rating system to find appropriate river options. Solo boating is not recommended, and going with a group provides a safety factor.

Be sure everyone understands each other’s experience levels and go down the river in a coordinated fashion.

Experience and common sense go together, so this is a good spot to mention the avoidance of alcohol. It is illegal to have an open container while floating, whether you are the rower or even a passenger. Don’t have a cool one at lunch, either. All rafting clubs and outfitters ban alcohol during the day for good reason. If you are camping on the river, then use good judgment that evening.

• Adrenaline factor. Whitewater is exhilarating for some and downright scary for others. The good news is that there are rivers for both the adrenaline junkie and the flat-water cruiser. The trick is to start on easier water to hone your skills and gradually advance.

Families should consider everyone’s feelings so as not to sour any members by overdoing it at first. Rivers are nature’s highways to some amazing places.

So what’s a beginner to do? Luckily we have several options in Douglas County:

• Join a club. The Umpqua Whitewater Club is active in Roseburg and meets monthly. This is a good way to meet other experienced boaters and to get information on the do’s and don’ts of purchasing equipment.

Meetings are at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday each month at Round Table Pizza in the Roseburg Valley Mall. Call 541-673-8309 for more information.

Have fun and be safe!