There are three types of water sports known as Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking. Rafting is a white water sport. The term 'white water' refers to foamy and whitish appearance of fast flowing water. The white water sport is quite thrilling and exciting. This sport has been popularized only in the last few years and now it is said to be the fastest growing sport. In white water sports, there are three basic equipment used i.e., rubberized rafts, canoes and kayaks.
Rafting is a group
activity where a member does paddling, ad with a co-ordinate attempt, the rapids are
negotiated, where as Canoeing is basically a single person skill, which a canoeist handles
with his legs stretched in front. Kayaking is done with a small boat with a capacity for
one or two persons.
The sport of white water river rafting is quite adventurous. This sport is practiced
mainly in the upper reaches where the water is wild and white as it froths and foams,
crashing against narrow gorges and falls at deep gradients. The equipment that is required
for white water river rafting is an oarframe raft, which usually accommodates a maximum of
eight people. Life jackets and crash helmets should be worn by all, with backup
arrangements for rescue and medical attention on the riverbank. Most important of all, the
guide should be suitably qualified so that panic is avoided if there is a mishap.
From the rafting point of view, Indian rivers
can be divided into the following geographical regions:
Northern Himalayan Rivers
Eastern Himalayan Rivers
Southern Inland Rivers
Western Himalayan Rivers
This river is also called the 'Lion River'. The
water of this river is ice cold. This river passes through Leh.
This river offers exciting adventures for
professionals. The rapids are frequent and dangerous. The best time to raft in this river
is in August and September, when the water is low.
The river Sutlej has a good run of
92 km with grade IV - V rapids.
This is a low volume river which has easy
grades IV - III rapids. It provides excellent run.
Ganga is the sacred
river of the Hindus and provides the most accelerating river running in the country. Its
green blue waters have II - IV grade rapids.
The river Ganges above the confluence at
Deoprayag, is known as Bhagirathi. This stretch has a dangerous grade V - VI rapids. Both
Indian and Foreign rafters have made successful rafting trips on Bhagirathi.
It is also a grade V - VI river, and rafting can
be done below Nandprayag to Deoprayag.There are three major aspects of the proposed Expedition:
Firstly, to seek official permission of the project. Secondly, procurement
of best available rafts and technical equipment. And thirdly, to select a well-trained
highly adventurous rafting team, having mutual confidence and experience of rafting
together.
Like Trekking, Mountaineering and other sports, River Rafting too has been classified and
graded in terms of degrees of difficulty.
Grade 1