Costa Rica Rafting Tours
One of the first adventure disciplines that conquered the public’s taste, and that nowadays enjoys great popularity is rafting. It’s a sports modality that consists of descending a river of fast waters, where the current impulses the ship. It’s directed by a guide, while the rest of the crew help from the lateral seats with their oars. The word “rafting” derives from the English term “raft” which means raft. Today rafting is one of the tourist activities that best combine adventure with the enjoyment of beautiful scenarios, for those deciding to go down a river.
EQUIPMENT
The boat used for the practice of rafting can be of two types. The first is a raft with a central oar, possessing two big oars that are placed on a platform on the ship and count with a resting point. A monitor or trainer, who will be in charge of directing the boat, conducts them. It is generally employed to transport the luggage and food. The other is known as paddle raft, in which the monitor direct from the rear part, with a long oar he uses as rudder, while the rest of the steersmen, equipped with a short, single paddle oar will follow his orders. Rafts measure 5 x 2 meters and have a capacity of four to ten persons. Besides the oars, members of the crew must wear a helmet, a lifesaver, sandals and clothes that can get wet.
CLASSIFICATION OF RIVERS
The moment they descend a river, steersmen will face a series of obstacles such as currents, the changes in levels and the rapids.
According to these difficulties, a classification of rivers has been created:
Class I, Easy: Fast current, with ripples and small waves. Little obstructions, that can be easily surpassed with some training. The risk for swimmers is low and self-rescue easy.
Class II, Beginners: Direct rapids with wide canals. Simple maneuvers are needed on some sections of the river. Scarce danger for swimmers.
Class III, Intermediate: Rapids with moderate waves. Narrow passages and rapid currents, require complex maneuvers. A previous exploration is recommended for those who don’t have enough experience.
Class IV, Advanced: Intense rapids, requiring precise control of the ship in turbulent waters. Many of the maneuvers should be done quickly, and under pressure. Water conditions make self-rescue difficult, so group’s assistance is necessary.
Class V, Expert: Very long and violent rapids. Descents may have waves, big holes and abrupt falls with complex routes. Rescue is very difficult.
Class VI; Extreme: Only for expert teams, running the river under strict safety norms. Consequences of errors are severe and rescue may be impossible.
In 1979 a Polish expedition arrived to the country and descended the rivers Pacuare and Reventazón on modern rafts for the first time. One year later, Michael Kaye from the U.S.A. began commercial activities doing rafting on both rivers. He founded the company Costa Rica Expeditions. The second company that was created was Ríos Tropicales, directed by Rafael Gallo and Fernando Esquivel. They began operations on river Sarapiquí and later embarked on the discovery of other rivers.
