Whitewater Rafting is a group sport where participants navigate rafts over rough, fast-moving water.

A rubber raft, usually holding between 4 and 12 people, is used to navigate down a river with a high current. Passengers paddle through the whitewater in order to get through the river. River intensity is determined by a class system; there are six classes of rapids ranging from mild (1) to dangerous (6).

The goal of whitewater rafting is to, as a member of raft crew, paddle down a river with a high current.

Rules for whitewater rafting are most often legislated by local and state governments, and they include strict safety rules meant to decrease the chances of an accident.

Rafting is one of the earliest forms of modern transportation. Modern rafting can be dated back to 1842 with Lt. John Fremont's expedition on the Platte River. However, it was not until the 1960s that whitewater rafting took off in popularity; at this point, river routes began to be navigated and private companies were being established to run rafting trips. It continued to gain in popularity. More rivers were opened up to rafting and it was included in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Whitewater rafting continues to gain popularity among extreme sports enthusiasts and recreational riders.

Helmet
Lifejacket
Paddle
Raft

Whitewater rafting can be a very dangerous sport. Commercial operators must follow legislated safety measures that include certification of equipment and raft leaders. Over time, improvements in equipment and the establishing of a whitewater class rating system has increased safety and decreased the amounts of incidents. However, environmental risks are still present, so the risk of an accident is never absent. Commercial operators require that customers sign waivers stating they understand the risks involved in whitewater rafting. Also, safety presentations are common before the beginning of any trip.

Safety presentations are customary prior to the beginning of any whitewater rafting trip.

Class 1 - Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering (Skill Level: None)

Class 2 - Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require maneuvering (Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)

Class 3 - Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering (Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)

Class 4 - Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)

Class 5 - Whitewater, large waves, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)

Class 6 - So dangerous that they cannot be navigated on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of most all rafting equipment (Skill Level: Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of luck or extreme skill)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafting