Will I Get Wet On My Whitewater Rafting Adventure?
Gosh, we hope so! That’s a big part of the fun of splashing down a rollicking mountain river! Whether you and your group are planning a whitewater rafting trip down the Ocoee river, Nantahala river, or Toccoa river, you can expect to get at least a little wet. Some folks ask us HOW wet they will get. The truth is, there’s really no way to tell just how wet you’ll get on one of our river adventures. Some folks come back barely damp and others come back looking like they took a bath fully dressed. Believe it or not, most folks want to get soaking wet. So the answer is – it really depends on a number of factors that differ from rafting trip to rafting trip.
While we can’t guarantee just how wet you will or won’t get, there are a few tips that you can follow before even getting on the river.
Sit Toward the Back of the Raft
Those who sit in the front of the raft will usually get wetter than anyone in the raft.
The front of the raft usually hits the rapids first and the ensuing splash will get those in front as wet as rain. There’s no way around it. By sitting toward the back of the raft, you’ll avoid the majority of a large splash, but we can’t guarantee anything about getting splashed from the side!
Wear Water Repellent Clothes
If you are more concerned about getting wet and staying wet, then we recommend wearing light, water repellent clothing. Most people wear a swimsuit or light fast drying shorts and a t-shirt. You don’t want to wear heavy clothes thinking they will keep you dry. Heavy clothes will actually keep you wet and weigh you down. Light, water repellant clothing works best for those who are trying to stay as dry as possible and dry off as quickly as possible.
Ask Us For A Splash Jacket, Free of Charge
Rolling Thunder also offers each customer a splash jacket free of charge. A splash jacket is a long sleeved, rubberized, high necked garment which will keep your top half pretty dry. Your bottom half will be wet but will usually dry quickly as you bounce from one rapid to another.
In the end, you’re going to get wet on any whitewater rafting adventure that you take. It’s a matter of taking measures to try and control just how wet you’ll get and how quickly you’ll be able to dry off. Always be sure to bring an extra set of dry clothes for after the adventure. You may not need them, but it’s best to be prepared. The only way we can truly guarantee that you won’t get wet is if you stay in the bus – and that’s no fun!
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Amy Saunders
Oh wow, you know what? Your article totally reminds me of my cousin who’s going on a trip to the nearby river next week. I got really intrigued when you pointed out that placing ourselves at the opposite end of a raft would prevent us from being impacted by huge splash. I’ll tell her about this so she’ll be well-prepared later.