Rafting - rafting is a mountain river or a rushing stream on a specially adapted pontoon or on a raft specially adapted for this purpose. Rafting is a tourist type of rafting, i.e. rafting down the river. It is characterized by the simultaneous skillful maneuvering between rocks, smaller and larger waterfalls and avoiding eddies. A practically inseparable element of rafting, even inscribed in the nature of this discipline, are water dumpers.

Raftingis a form of active entertainment for people who like adrenaline and are looking for thrills. The six-stage difficulty scale of the routes means that both families with teenagers and fans of an active lifestyle eager for an unforgettable adventure can go on such a trip.

Despite the fact that rafting is an extreme sport, it is relatively safe and injuries are really rare. The rafting pontoon is made of a special, reinforced material that withstands collisions with sharp rocks and other obstacles, numerous on the route. Metal hoops and additional reinforcements of the pontoon prevent it from being crushed under the pressure of water. Each participant must wear a helmet, and the instructor, who goes with the crew, constantly adjusts the difficulty level to the skills of the team.

Advantages of rafting

Starting an adventure with rafting does not require experience in water sports - just start with an easier route without a large number of natural obstacles to try this discipline and reach your destination safely. Of course, with time it is worth choosing more and more varied routes marked on rapid mountain rivers and providing a decent dose of adrenaline.

The measure of a successful rafting is not just reaching the finish line, but the emotions and impressions associated with overcoming subsequent stages of the rafting. The participants have the most fun working together, trying to stay afloat, avoiding obstacles - or on the contrary, a refreshing swim caused by a pontoon overturning, during which you have to think together how to get back on the route. Often it is this last aspect that is later remembered as the most interesting part of the adventure, and the happiest people at the finish line are the most wet.

Rafting is also a form of very close contact with nature - it reminds us ofwhat is often forgotten by city dwellers - that nature is an unbridled element that can only be de alt with by working closely together.

How to prepare for rafting?

Rafting involves practically all muscle groups, so it is worth preparing at least a little before the kayaking trip. This can be done on your own, for example by practicing at home. As part of the training, you should take care of the hand muscles by doing regular push-ups, the so-called "Triceps" and pull-ups. Then it is also worth taking care of the abdominal muscles by doing traditional "crunches", scissors or torsion. The lower parts of the body are also important in balancing the body during the kayaking trip, so it's good to do squats or run - running training will additionally increase your endurance, which will translate into less fatigue during the kayaking trip. If we have access to professional exercise equipment, first of all, it is worth taking an interest in a rowing ergometer. Exercises on it engage 95% of the body's muscles, improve efficiency, and the ability to regulate the load means that even beginners can train.

What to take with you on rafting?

What is required to participate in rafting? Not much, but you must be able to swim. The necessary equipment is, of course, a pontoon, life jackets, helmets and oars. - Equipment is usually provided by the rafting organizer. The rafting is carried out in the company of an experienced instructor who makes sure that all attractions (including dump trucks) are safe - says Michał Kaleta from the Unique gift company, which offers gifts in the form of experiences. It is imperative to bring a towel and a second set of clothes. However, it is inadvisable to take a phone or documents to the pontoon. You can lose them irretrievably, because they can simply fall out during a capsizing, so it is better to leave them on the bank.

Before the kayaking trip, each participant must undergo a short, but obligatory training, during which they learn the basic rules of safety, behavior in the pontoon, division of duties and basic commands.

Rafting - fun and useful entertainment

As part of this custom rafting, we have many levels of advancement to choose from, so you don't need to be a master oar to start your rafting adventure. It is worth having a high resistance to stress, good reflexes and (this is a necessary condition!) - a well-coordinated team. Difficulties with communicating in a group and the lack of mutual trust may end in a forced (but effective) bathing in the river current. - Rafting, in addition to having fun and unforgettable memories, develops a lot of usefulskills such as reflexes, motor coordination, and is also an opportunity for general development exercises to improve the efficiency of the entire body - adds Michał Kaleta from the Exceptional gift. It comes as no surprise, then, that many people get hooked on this sport and don't stop at one kayaking trip.

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The best places to go rafting

Poland, due to its geographic location and topography, is a great country for rafting enthusiasts. Among Polish rivers, we can find both those with a gentle current, as well as those on which rafting is quite a challenge, even for experienced amateurs. Additionally, most of the rivers where extreme rafting takes place meanders through picturesque areas and landscape parks.

The rivers that are most popular among rafting enthusiasts include, among others Nysa Kłodzka, Dzika Orlica or extremely difficult Kamienna. The most popular in terms of rafting, however, is the Dunajec River, the gorge of which is located in the Pieniny National Park.

If we want to test our strength in rafting outside Poland, first of all, we should go to Montenegro, to the Tara River, which flows through the deepest canyon in Europe. Next on the list of places to visit should be Turkey and rafting on the river Çoruh, called "the last wild river in Turkey". For avid rafting enthusiasts, it is also a good idea to travel overseas, to the United States, the cradle of this sport. There you can go down the famous Grand Canyon or the Salmon River in Idaho.

Category:

Summer sports