The White Water Family Experience: 3 Tips To Guarantee A Fun Ride

Family vacations offer opportunities for bonding through adventure. Whether you’re headed across the ocean or simply a few towns away, there are a number of activities that the whole family can take part in. When it comes to the great outdoors, your options are basically limitless: take a kayaking trip, teach your kids the joys of fishing, or fly over the treetops on a zipline course. If your children are old enough, you can even share the thrill of white water rafting.

Rafting trips are exciting and eye-opening. The experience of racing down a river — even on one of the gentler tours — can introduce your children to nature in a truly engaging way. To make sure your family trip goes smoothly, follow these white water rafting tips.

• Follow packing list guidelines. When you book a trip with local rafting guides, you’ll be sent a packing list describing items you’ll want to have with you. Do your best to follow it to a T, and try not to bring anything that isn’t expressly needed; that being said, it’s always a good idea to bring some cheap sunglasses — just in case they fly off and end up at the bottom of the river.
• Let your kids take some risks. White water rafting has a reputation for being dangerous, but that’s why we trust and depend on guides to see us safely through. As impartial judges of the situation, they’ll be able to encourage hesitant kids to push their limits and gently nudge confident kids in the right direction. If you’re concerned about something, you need only ask your guide for a second opinion.
• Don’t rush to get home. Rafting trips are exhausting. Rather than hopping in the car to head home or jumping on a flight, ensure that your family has the evening to recover from their exertions. This extra time will allow everyone to truly relax and discuss their favorite moments from the trip.

Although you may not be experiencing the kind of rapids that were seen when rafting was introduced to the Olympics in 1972, the sport is nonetheless highly enjoyable for people of all ages. When a family trip is filled with adventure, excitement, and the great outdoors, everyone goes home happy.