“Okay, we’ve got two rapids in a row up here,” explains our guide. He then calls out loudly, “Backward one!”
Upon hearing this command, the other five of us on the raft lean back, plunge our paddles into the rocky water, and push them toward the front of the raft by leaning forward.
“The second one is called Hard Left Turn,” he continues, “and I bet you can guess why. It’s tricky to get it just right, but it’s better than the alternative, so get ready to paddle hard up there. For now, forward two!”
At this command, we all learn forward, plunge, lean back. Lean forward –
“Stop,” says our guide, adapting to our new reality. We bounce over the first of the rapids backwards and spin sideways. “Forget what I just said. We’re not making the left turn.”
I went white water rafting in Colorado recently, and it was so much fun!
The moment I described above was probably the sketchiest thing to happen – but it still turned out completely fine. After all, the guide’s job is to prepare you when they can, and to think on their feet when the preparation doesn’t work.
So, while it was alarming to hear the plan fall apart, it wasn’t my responsibility to worry about that. I all had to do was follow the guide’s orders and try not to fall off the raft.
Side note: The paddling method is effective – and a workout! My abs were sore for days.
How did I end up in this raft?
Honestly, I had very little interest in white water rafting before I got the invitation to try it with my friend, Jaime, who was also a first-timer.
I still had very little interest as I was stuffing myself into a wetsuit tighter than my own skin. And as I sat under a tent for the safety talk, where we learned that someone lost a couple of teeth on a paddle handle earlier that day.
But I know people who have lost teeth riding a bike or tripping as they walk down the street. The guide’s choice to include that warning was nothing more than a visceral reminder for all of us to have body awareness. I have nightmares about losing my teeth, so consider me warned. See me fending off Jaime, below, when she tipped over into the raft and smacked her paddle into my helmet.
Your turn!
Even if white water rafting doesn’t sound like your thing, I think you should give it a try. And if you happen to be in the Denver, Colorado area, Jaime and I loved our experience with Clear Creek Rafting Company. Plus the gear and photos were included in the price!
We did an intermediate trip with Class III-IV rapids, and it was the perfect introduction for us.
If just the thought of being on the water is scary for you, then you would probably still enjoy a beginner-level trip. The first stretch of our trip was the end of the beginner course, and it was a nice opportunity to practice paddling and keeping our feet securely locked into place.
I’m not an adrenaline seeker by any stretch of the imagination, but I had so much fun. Try new things, y’all.