Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Blog

We all love to go to new places. Exploring a new river for the first time is both exhilerating and challenging. This is not only for the guide team, but also the clients who come on the trip. 2012 sees 2 new destinations featuring two of the best rafting trips we have ever offered.

The Rioni River, Georgia:
The Rioni river is very similar to the Coruh in Turkey, so for anyone that didn’t make it to Turkey before the completion of the dams or if you’ve already been on a trip to Turkey and fancy exploring more of the area then this is the trip for you! Georgia is little known as a tourist destination, but stuffed full of history and beautiful countryside as well as being home to some great whitewater so we’re very excited to get out there next summer! Trips depart from Batumi in Georgia. Come and experience the Caucasus Mountains in the heart of this fascinating country.

Fascinating history right on the riverbank

The Tatshenshini River, Canada:
The Tatshenshini trip takes you to the edge of the Arctic Circle, along the border between the Alaska and Canada. It’s a trip that give you the opportunity for some incredible wildlife spotting, including Bald Eagles and Grizzly Bears. We’ll float past vast blue glaciers, underneath the incredible towering peaks of the Alsek range and hike above the river to get the best views of this wilderness on this amazing northerly trip. The Tatshenshini is a 2 week trip that takes you away from it all, relaxing as well as stimulating all the senses, this incredible trip is going to be unmissable!

Around every corner is yet another amazing view

Hamish and the team of guides look forward to sharing these trips with you in 2012.

Happy New Year. Welcome to what is for sure to be another excellent year on the world’s best rivers. Seeing a massive resurgence in interest for 2012, are the rivers of the Kingdom Of Nepal. Rivers fed from the most famous mountain range in the world, most people seem to think it will be really cold! Not so! At the same latitude as Florida in the USA, make the camping divine and the water warm! We offer what we think in our 20 years experience in Nepal, are the best 3 expedition trips on offer.

The Karnali:
This classic trip in the wild west of Nepal offers an insight into the “real Nepal” with remote villages, spectacular beaches and some of the best rapids on offer anywhere in the world. With classic whitewater such as Jailhouse Rock, Godshouse, Sweetness and Light, Flip and Strip, Freighttrain to name just a few. We have been lucky enough on occasion too, to get plenty of wildlife viewing on the river, including monkeys, mugger crocodiles and the elusive leopard. It is also a wonderful way to conclude your river trip, by spending a few days in Bardia National Park riding elephants, checking out rhino and hoping to see a tiger before flying back to Kathamndu.

Stan running Juicer on The Karnali

The Tamur:
This is a favourite trip amongst guides and clients alike, as it offers all of the best of what Nepal has to offer. Great hiking and trekking, stunning views and excellent rafting. This trip is in the east of Nepal and starts with a hike to the river for 4 days along with 100 or so porters who carry all of our gear including food, so we walk as fast as they do! Once at the river in Dobhan, we are treated to world class whitewater, olympic sized beaches before it emerges onto the Sun Kosi 6 days later. If you want a trip exploring one of the most amazing places in Nepal, this is your trip!

Enjoying an Ice Cold beer on the beach after a day on the water

The Sun Kosi:
A “classic river trip” which has developed over the years, but still delivers excellent whitewater and amazing and remote beaches in the lower part of the 270 km of this epic river journey. You’ll be treated to wonderful people on the full length of this trip. The river gains in power steadily as large tributarys join the river from its variety of sources in Tibet and even from Mt Everest. The river is punctuated with incredible beaches to camp on, as well as gorgeous waterfalls in which to take a wash at the end of the day.

Anke taking a dip under a Waterfall on the Sun Kosi

Add to all of this, the great food on offer, wonderful people, make this an ideal destination for your next rafting holiday!

Despite the Nyami Nyami giving us a little too much water for the beginning of the season, our first few trips have been fantastic! Having to get on at number 10 rather than number 1 didn’t stop Barbara and her family having loads of fun on our first Zambezi Blast trip to celebrate her 70th Birthday, under the watchful eye of Tembo they breezed all the way down to Moemba, no swims, loads of laughs, big smiles all round!

Early season rafting!

We’ve sent three guides down to Zambia for the season his year, Steve from the UK, who’s fresh from our seasons in Morocco and Turkey, Andy from the US who you might have seen out in Morocco with us before, and was out on the Zambezi last year, and Anika, also from the US, proudly representing for the ladies and ripping it up in her kayak as well as in the rafts, they’re a great team and we’re really excited that they’ll be looking after you guys on each of our trips this season.

Andy couldn't quite contain his excitement at being back out on the Zambezi!

Anika and Andy flew into town to guide our first seven day trip of the season, and were joined on the first few days by a fun bunch of kayakers from Ireland, which made for a super sociable beginning to the trip! The kayakers got off the river at Moemba, heading back to town for some more kayaking on the upper section of the river while the rafters headed on downstream for the next three days. The lower reaches of the Zambezi are a fantastic way to see some of the local wildlife, and the team certainly had some cool sightings, with pods of hippo and the odd croc on the way too. The flight back is a really special experience, check out the photo below for one snapshot of the amazing views that these guys had of Victoria Falls on their trip back to town. The team for the next trip will be flying into town in the next few days and will be embarking on their adventure as of Sunday, we’re really excited for this and all the other trips coming up in the next few months, hope you can come out and join us too!

There’s one very simple answer to this question – the Çoruh. It’s fast and furious, but one of the gems of Eastern Europe for sure. On our ‘Paddling Playground’ trips you’ll get the chance to paddle the very best sections of the Çoruh as well as sampling the delights that the Barhal River has to offer too. This year is going to be very special in Turkey as it’s the last time that certain sections of the Çoruh will be free flowing due to the dam at Ispir nearing completion, so we’re planning on going out with a bang! Our rafting trips are almost all booked up now, and it would be great to know that we were able to share these beauties with as many kayakers as possible too. You’ll paddle the famous Yusefeli and Ispir Gorges, and throughout the trip find great play holes, surf waves and more white water than you can shake a stick at!

A trip to Turkey isn’t all about the river though, there’s so much else to explore! Istanbul is a fascinating city, young and vibrant yet full of history, it’s definitely worth a stop over on your way through to Erzurum. All along the river there’s ancient Byzantine Castles to stop and explore, and we’ll stop off at our friend Çemil’s pension where you’ll be treated to an evening of good old Turkish hospitality. We’re right in the middle of the Kackar Mountains in North Eastern Turkey, which gives you the great chance to go for a 4 day trek and explore the surrounding area.
This year is your last chance to get out and explore all of Turkey in its natural state; it’s literally a once in a lifetime opportunity! So get out there to T’riffic Turkey!

So if you have ticked off some of the big adventures around the world such as hiking up Kilimanjaro, hiking the Inca Trail, then make 2011 the year to raft the world’s premier rafting destination, the Zambezi River, Zambia. So what is it that makes the Zambezi, so special? Is it the big warm water? Yes! Is it the amazing sandy beaches you get to camp on every night? Absolutely! Is it because anyone from 16 – 75 can do this trip? Yes, as a matter of fact we have a 70 year old lady booked on this year for a trip to celebrate her birthday. And the BEST BIT? You don’t have to walk out of the gorge on that nasty walk on our trips, you’ll be flown back to Livingstone and over Victoria Falls by helicopter!

Our trips start in the mist beneath the Victoria Falls with lunch on the first day and a real sense of what a spectacular setting you are in. Contrary to popular myth the Zambezi is not a particularly difficult river and you can easily negotiate the trip and not flip. The biggest rapids tend to be on the multiday section of the trip with amazing rapids such as Open Season, Upper Moemba and Ghostrider and if you choose to take a 7 day trip all the way to Matetsi River Mouth, you’ll be treated to some wonderful game viewing such as hippo, crocodiles and a variety of antelope and baboons.

On the shorter 4 day river trips, participants get the chance to add a wonderful safari to Botswana on the Zambezi Blast trip staying at a 5 star lodge overlooking a floodlit watering hole. The alternative is to make your trip as relaxed or as action filled as you wish with our Ultimate Adventure where you can include in your trip, game viewing, lion encounters, Livingstone Island, jet boating, bungy, gorge swing and many more of Livingstone’s Best Activities.

The Coruh River in Turkey has a reputation for being one of the best whitewater rafting trips in the world, a reputation it fully deserves if you decide to visit in May or June when the water is high. 2011 is the last year it will be possible to run this spectacular river, due to the imminent construction of a dam near the town of Ispir on the upper reaches of the river. The Coruh offers unrivaled whitewater from Ispir to Yusefeli. You’ll have magnificent views of Byzantine and Georgian Castles on the way down the river and be treated to spectacular hospitality from the Turks. A trip down the Coruh offers spectacular camping locations, as well as traditional hospitality in Pensions such as Cemils Pension in Tekkale.

Raft The Spectacular & Continuous Whitewater on The Coruh River

The Coruh River will give you a continuous roller coaster ride and the highlight is Yusefeli Gorge, where the Barhal River joins the Coruh. Here you’ll be treated to world class rapids such as “Donalds Beanery, Sculptured Rock, King Kong and Jd’s” to name just a few. Take the stunning drive to Erzurum through the Tortem Gorge and relax in a hammam at the end of the trip before you fly home. All this in one week! Flights can be arranged with Turkish Airlines from the USA, Europe and UK to Erzurum. We recommend a few days in Istanbul if you haven’t visited this amazing city.

With a whole world of adventure activities out there for you and your family, what makes a family rafting adventure so special? So often, trips are planned with adults in mind and don’t cater as much for what the children want and perhaps you want for your children, a learning experience. Water By Nature has family friendly trips on offer on the Ahansel River in Morocco over the Easter School Holidays. Far from being just a rafting trip, we’ll teach your kids about the outdoors. How to respect it, how to live off it and how to work with it. We always have an extra guide on the trips dedicated to teaching the kids new skills. They may get to bivouac out for the night (not too far from camp, but it will certainly feel like an adventure) with materials just found in the area. They’ll be able to try their hand at fishing and even learning to gut and fillet the fish. Take a visit to the local school and as well as teaching the local children English, yours will get to try French, or even funnier for them, Arabic!

Relaxing before we start rafting in Morocco at Tiloguite

They’ll be inspired by our team of family friendly guides from all over the world, who will amaze your kids by baking such dinners as pizza and cakes on an open fire. Alternatively, we also offer some amazing family friendly rafting in Turkey on the Coruh River when the river is low, the weather hot and sunny. We give the kids a chance to guide the rafts, giving them confidence and inspiration in the outdoors. As a father myself, our kids, Holly and Josh are always in the outdoors and especially on rivers. At 4 and 2 respectively, they already love it. We have a minimum age of 10 on our family trips, but do take kids as young as 7 if they are a reasonable size and confident. Teenagers also love the trips and the kids do tend to keep each other amused and with the guides looking after them too, you do get a much needed break as well! For an amazing family adventure with a difference try a family whitewater rafting holiday in 2011.

Hitchhiking on the back of the safety kayaker!

It’s time to head south for the winter! If those autumn mornings are starting to feel a little chilly, then why not prolong winter just that little bit longer with a trip to the Zambezi River, Nepal or Patagonia. With Zambia reaches temperatures of 40 degrees celsius at this time of the year, it’s the place to be. The Zambezi river based out of Livingstone, Zambia is one of the top river trips in the world. With options for 4 and seven day trips on this wonderful river, you’ll not only experience the big warm water rapids, but the stunning beaches and wildlife and incredible food and guides. Our teams have local and international experience un-matched by any other company on the Zambezi. Compliment your trip with a few days game viewing in Botswana or if you prefer, then why not bungy, canoe or take a swim in the Angels Armchair on the edge of the Victoria Falls.

Not looking like rain anytime soon!

Although it is now past the optimum time to raft the Sun Kosi (this is best late September) but still fantastic to raft either the Karnali River or the Tamur. Both are more expeditionary type trips is the west and east of Nepal respectively. The Karnali has wonderful rapids and will give you a great insight into this part of the country. The Tamur incorporates a gorgeous 4 day trek to the river through Rhododendron forests and giving stunning views of the Himalaya. Once at the river, this is thrill a minute stuff. The beaches are the nicest on any trip Water By Nature offers.

Local fishermen on the Karnali River is Western Nepal

Need more comforts? Head out to Chile from December and relax around the hot tub, or read a book in your riverside cabana. Raft one of the best rivers in the world and depending on water levels, you’ll get to raft bridge to bridge, bridge to Casa, Terminator and parts of the Inferno Canyon section. The Futaleufu’s rich turquoise water and stunning forested back drop make this a stunning trip to take part in. With trips at just over a week long, the season from December to February, this is a great escape from the Northern Hemisphere winter. See you on the river!

Relaxing in the hot tub at the end of a great day rafting on the Futaleufu

It can be hard when you first go on a rafting holiday to get to grips with what the guides are talking about! So here are a few of the essentials to ensure you’ll know exactly what they are talking about and sound like a “riverguru” by the time you come back home.

Put In: The place where you launch the rafts into the river. Guide will give a safety talk before you start rafting and give you paddle instructions.

Victoria Falls - The Most Spectacular Rafting "Put In" In The World

Take Out: The end of the river trip, where the rafts get taken out of the river and plenty of good stories are told. From here you will get transport back to town.
Current: Any reference to moving water
Eddy: Water moving back upstream caused by a rock or obstacle of some sort. This is the ideal place to stop river craft.
Eddy Fence: The water between the current moving downstream and the eddy.
Hole: A river feature where water flows over a rock or obstacle in the river, drops down in the river, flows downstream and then back towards the falling water.

Running A "Hole" on the Zambezi

Wave/Lateral: This is caused by a constriction of flow (river narrowing) or off an obstacle. Waves on big volume rivers should be paddled through straight!
High Water: After rains, monsoon or snow melt run off. The river moves faster at high flows and makes some rapids harder (such as the Coruh) and some easier.
Low Water: Lower than average river levels which normally happen at the end of the rafting season. Some rapids are more challenging in low water such as the Zambezi.
Drop-Pool River: After a rapid, there is a calm pool to regain composure before the next rapid. The Grand Canyon is a good example of a drop pool river.
River Right: The right side of the river as you look from upstream towards downstream.
River Left: The left side of the rivers as you look from upstream towards downstream.
Paddle: Composes a blade, shaft and t grip that clients use on a raft to propel the boat. Guides may use a paddle also to steer the raft.
Oar: A large 9-12 foot device that guides use to steer and propel rafts. Extra power is possible using oars rather than paddles.
PFD: A personal flotation device used for floating paddler if they take a swim.
Safety Boater/Kayaker: A person paid to paddle down in front of the rafts to offer support or advice in the event you swim. An accepted safety standard at this point in time.
Oar boat/Gear Raft: A raft propelled in the middle by an oarsman which takes either clients (front and back) or equipment for the trip

Stan rowing a gear raft on The Grand Canyon

Paddle Raft: 4-8 paddlers on a raft. They propel the boat to manouvre it around the river and away from hazards. Guided by an experienced paddle raft captain.
Sterny: Similar to a paddle raft, except the guide will sit at the back using 2 oars for extra power on big volume rivers such as the Futaleufu.
Bowline: Attached to the front of the raft to tie the raft to shore when camping or leaving the raft while scouting. Also a type of knot.
Bow: The front of the raft. Most rafts are symmetrical.
Stern: The back of the raft, normally where the guide sits.
OS Line: Outside line. A safety rope running tightly around the outside of the boat that people can hold onto in the event of a swim.
Throwbag: A bag containing around 20 meters of rope that a guide uses to rescue a swimmer up to 20 meters away. Worn around the guides waist.
T Grip: The end of a paddle used to help the paddler propel the paddle through the water. Paddlers should always keep hold of this.
Chacos: A type of river sandal perfect for river trips. Other good quality brands include Keen.
The Zam: A term used to describe the Zambezi River in Zambia. A big volume warm user friendly river.
The Canyon: The Grand Canyon which runs in Arizona from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek. a 14 days journey of 226 miles.
Rocket Box: An old ammunition box often used to store food. When and if used as a toilet, this is termed a “groover”
Chilly Bin: The New Zealand name for a cooler. This is used to keep food cold or frozen whilst on an extended river trip.
Cams: A camstrap used for fastening loads and frames to rafts. They vary in length from 2 feet to 20 feet long.
Biner: A carabiner used for securing water bottles and such to the raft. Also essential for setting up rescue systems.
Drybag: A PVC bag which can be used for storing clothes on a multiday trip or to keep small items on the raft dry.
Pelicase: A plastic box varying in size to keep everything from cameras and iPods to First Aid kits and TV cameras dry.

Jack Osbourne and Elijah Wood with pelicases and drybags on the raft

Sat Phone: A satellite telephone should be taken on all multiday trips. 3 basic varieties exist. Iridium, Thuraya and Inmarsat.
Tunes Box: An addition to multiday trips where clients and guides can enjoy listening to their favourite music in camp.
Trip Leader: The person who has overall responsibility on the river for all participants getting down the river safely.
Braai: A Southern African Term for a barbeque. As well as large amounts of meat often vegetables are also cooked in the coals such as cabbage, Gem squash and potatoes.
Short swimmer: Somebody who falls out of the raft and holds the OS line
Long swimmer: Somebody who fall out of the raft and is further away. They can be assisted with a paddle, kayaker or throw bag to get back to the raft.
Dumptruck: When the raft stands up on one side and paddlers fall out and the raft stays upright.
Surf: A raft stays in a hole and can rotate and move substantially.
Flip: When the raft capsizes and goes from an upright position to an upside down position. Guides carry “fliplines” to re-right the boats and get everyone back in.

A swift clean up after Tyler flips on the Zambezi

Safety: The overall process of how the company and guides you choose to go with, will look after you. This can also be used as a term where guides wait at a rapid with kayaks and throwbags in case of a swimmer, they can rescue them quickly.
Video Boater: A person who goes down before the rafts to capture your trip as a movie.
Sweep Boat: The last boat on a trip which often safety gear such as first aid, wrap kit and satellite telephone.
Scout: A term used where guides and clients can get out to plot the best line through a rapid, where safety will be based. It also gives paddlers the option of walking rapids if they wish.
Portage: Where craft are carried around a rapid when it is considered too big or unsafe to run.

Paddling across the top of Lower Moemba - a certain PORTAGE!

Wrap: Where a raft broaches a rock sideways and gets stuck on a rock or obstacle.
Hyside: This is where guides want to re-distribute weight in the raft. They can either call all paddlers to jump TOWARDS a rock to stop a wrap, or towards a large wave to stop a flip.
Safety Talk: A talk given by the Trip Leader before you go rafting oulining how to react and what to do if you swim. Topics covered will be swimming in the river, flips, throw bags, safety kayakers and self rescue.
Paddle Talk: Each guide will explain paddling techniques in his/her raft. Using your boady. Forward paddle, back paddle, jump left, hold on!
Ferry: The term used to describe the angle to paddle across a river. Usually at 45 degrees upstream or downstream to the current. This gives control in the river.
Self Rescue: Getting yourself safely to the side of the river in the event of a swim. Important to stay there until the guide comes to get you.
Z Drag/Pig Rig: 2 types of “mechanical advantage systems” that guides can set up to pull a raft off a rock that may be wrapped.

Now that you are up with whitewater rafting terminology, experience one of the world’s best whitewater rafting holidays! See you on the river!

So, lets face it. Plenty of people will be glued to the television over the next 4 weeks watching the Football World Cup in South Africa. Water By Nature is offering a discount on selected trips on the Zambezi River. You just need to get your deposit in before 25th June 2010 along with your chosen team and we will give you £25 off for every game that they win along with an additional £50 if they  win the famous Golden Trophy.

Rafting The Zambezi

The offer is valid on Zambezi Blast, Mighty Zambezi and Zambezi Ultimate Adventure trips on selected dates, so go on, who will you support? England, USA, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Brazil or Australia. Make that football match, just that little bit more exciting! Who needs a PENALTY SHOOTOUT!