Whitewater rafting is an absolute blast. It’s a fun social activity, good exercise and a great way to get out and see some incredible areas of wilderness. With rafting being such a fun activity there’s not much that can take away from it, however bad equipment is one of those key things. To that end this article should give beginners an excellent guide to the equipment you should be bringing on an easy day trip with experienced guides.
Now here is a group of happy rafters wearing appropriate on-river clothing!
The most important aspects of rafting gear is your on river clothing and equipment. This is the gear that will keep you warm and safe when on the river. Remember that you will get wet so any of your equipment must be suitably warm when soaked through.
Much of the on-river equipment that you will need when rafting will be supplied by the company or club that you are paddling with. They will supply a wetsuit, a PFD or lifejacket and a helmet. You need to make sure you bring along the following personal clothing for when you are on river.
Enclosed shoes. These must protect your feet and allow you to swim and also walk on slippery surfaces. Often the best option is an old pair of running shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Wetsuit booties are also good. Remember to bring warm socks to go underneath. Make sure they are not cotton. These will make your feet cold. If you often get cold or are thinking that you might be doing more rafting in the future, buying some wetsuit socks is an excellent idea. These keep your feet very warm and given the time your feet spend in cold water this is an excellent investment.
Bathers or underwear to go under the wetsuit. If you are concerned about being cold then bringing a warm fleece or thermals to go under the wetsuit. Again make sure you do not wear anything that is cotton as it makes you cold when wet. Wool and synthetic materials retain their warmth when they are soaked.
Wearing contact lenses versus glasses on-river
For safety reasons we strongly encourage wearing contact lenses while rafting. There’s no guarantee that your glasses won’t break or fall off on river, and they can be expensive to replace! Glasses can also fog up or appear blurry when wet (which happens a lot while rafting), obscuring your view of the beautiful surroundings or oncoming danger. You can buy contact lenses from the many optometrists in the Hobart CBD and Sandy Bay. Expect to pay around $90 for 30 pairs of dailies (prices may vary depending on the brand and the condition of your eyesight). You will need to book an appointment if you do not have a current prescription.
If contact lenses are not an option, tying the handles of your glasses around the back of your head with some tape or string will usually hold them in position once your helmet is securely fastened.
Here is a set of clothes for very cold rafting conditions. Thermals, 2 wetsuits, a spray jacket and wetsuit socks will ensure that the wearer stays warm in the worst conditions.
When you get off river you will need the items below to keep you comfortable and happy.
A towel, dry clothes and dry shoes. It is important to have a full set of dry gear to change in to at the end of the trip. You don’t want to be wet and cold on the drive back home!
Money to cover petrol and food you might want to buy if we go to a bakery.
It’s always good to bring snacks as rafting is a good way to work up an appetite!
Plenty of bags, bring a pack to put all of your stuff in along with some plastic bags to contain all of your wet clothes or if you are really pro bring a flexible bucket.
Here we have our typical after trip changing area… This rafter has 2 bags, one for dry clothes and the other for all their wet gear.
To summarise, here are the critical things you need –
Warm clothes and shoes to wear on river that will get wet (no cotton)
Towel and dry clothes to change in to after the trip
Money for petrol and food
If you’ve got any questions always feel free to get in touch. I look forward to seeing you on the river!
Wearing contact lenses versus glasses on-river
For safety reasons we strongly encourage wearing contact lenses while rafting. There’s no guarantee that your glasses won’t break or fall off on river, and they can be expensive to replace! Glasses can also fog up or appear blurry when wet (which happens a lot while rafting), obscuring your view of the beautiful surroundings or oncoming danger. You can buy contact lenses from the many optometrists in the Hobart CBD and Sandy Bay. Expect to pay around $90 for 30 pairs of dailies (prices may vary depending on the brand and the condition of your eyesight). You will need to book an appointment if you do not have a current prescription.
If contact lenses are not an option, tying the handles of your glasses around the back of your head with some tape or string will usually hold them in position once your helmet is securely fastened.
Other things to bring on a trip
Towel
Dry set of warm clothes (for travelling home in)
Dry shoes
Waterproof camera (we love posting your rafting pics!)
Sunscreen
Garbage Bags for wet gear
Snacks/Lunch
Money for petrol and bakery stops
I put James description that we always link to here as an example (thanks James, we will write our own one day )