You’ve finally booked a white water rafting trip and the day is nearly upon you. White water rafting with friends or family is an experience you’ll never forget. Heading into the New Zealand wilderness to go rafting is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do in your life. If you’ve never been on the rapids, you’re probably confused as to what you’ll need.
Here are some tips to help you get prepared for you first white water river ride.
Table of Contents
Planning the Trip
The first thing you should do is book a white water rafting trip with a reputable company. Look at sites such as https://www.rotorua-rafting.co.nz/ to find some of the best deals and most experienced guides for white water river rafting in New Zealand.
It is a good idea to sit down with family and friends to see how everyone is feeling about the day that lies ahead. See if people are nervous or apprehensive, try to put their fears to one side by explaining to them that rafting is incredibly safe under the guidance of a proper instructor.
Expectations
It is always better to know what to expect when you go on your trip. If you’ve any questions about the adventure, get in touch with the company and make some inquiries. You’ll want to know some basic things such as:
- Where to meet on the day?
- What clothes to bring?
- How long the trip will take?
- What the conditions will be like on the river?
You’ll feel more at ease once you know what to expect from the trip.
Clothing & Equipment
You won’t need any equipment when you go on a white water rafting trip, everything will be supplied for you by the company. There are some types of clothing you’ll need, so don’t forget to pack these items.
- Short & long-sleeved synthetic shirts – avoid bringing cotton as they get heavy when wet
- Wetsuit if you own one
- Swimsuit bottoms or trunks
- Secure footwear that is non-slip
- Water bottle, sunscreen & sunglasses
- Waterproof bag to hold important belongings
Make a list of all the gear you need and tick it off with a pen as you pack your bags on the day.
Be Attentive to the Guide
Your guide is the most important person on your trip. They are the ones with all the experience, so listen carefully to what they have to say and don’t mess about when they want to explain about safety procedures and other essential information about the trip. Your guide will give you and everyone else in your group safety tips that minimise the risk of anything happening to you or fellow rafters.
There isn’t a huge amount of preparation needed for a white water rafting trip. You do need to pack a variety of clothes, especially wet suits and other water-related products. You should avoid bringing any cotton clothes while on the raft as they get heavy and uncomfortable. If you’ve any questions about the trip, get in touch with your guide before you leave.
