Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Blog

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!

Mountains feed rivers with water from snowmelt, so why not make this fall the season to head out to that most impressive of all mountain ranges, The Himalaya for a spectacular whitewater rafting trip on what can only be described as incredible journeys. There are two main seasons for rafting in Nepal, the spring season from late February until early May and the post monsoon fall or autumn season when generally the rivers are at their biggest and the weather is at it’s best. In our opinion, Nepal has three world class river trips to run from September.

Camping on Nepali Rivers is stunning!

The Sun Kosi River is the biggest volume river in Nepal, fed from the mountains in Tibet and Eastern Nepal. Many large tributaries such as the Dudh Kosi (the river from Mount Everest) feed into the Sun Kosi, which ultimately runs into the Ganges near to the Indian border. The Sun Kosi as a river trip, is fantastic. In September you will camp on post monsoon, expansive sandy beaches and experience big volume rapids every bit as big and fun as the Zambezi River. The river trip starts near Dolaghat and runs 270 kilometres down to Chatara where you can take the 24 hour bus ride back, or the short 1 hour flight back from Biratnagar to Kathmandu. Huge waves will splash down on your raft as you paddle past villages and jungle landscapes. You’ll get to stop at temples and stupas along the way; far from being just a rafting trip, it gives us access to some amazing places. The ideal time for the Sun Kosi River is late September, early October.

A temple stop on the Sun Kosi River

A tributary of the Sun Kosi River is the Tamur River set in Eastern Nepal. Everything about this trip feels like a journey. Departing from Kathamndu, guests fly to Biratnagar and then meet our rafting bus for the drive into the Himalayan foothills. We get a chance to see and stay in a unique and largely untouched area of Nepal. From here, we have gathered over 100 local farmers to act as porters to carry all of our rafting gear for 4 days into Dobhan, where we get our first sight of the Tamur. Immediately we get into some excellent whitewater on this river fed by Mount Kachengunga, the fourth highest mountain in the world. The beaches on this river are nothing short of stunning. The ultimate time to run this trip if from mid October onwards after the river levels have dropped from their peak.

The "organised chaos" that is the hike into the river

The Karnali River is set in Western Nepal and involves a 1 hour flight from Kathmandu to Surkhet, a drive and then a stunning walk down to the river. Many years ago, this trip was very remote and involved a 2 day trek into the river, however these days logistics are far easier! The river has stunning scenery and gorgeous rapids from start to finish. “Sweetness and Light, Jailhouse Rock, Godshouse and Freight Train” are just a few of the highlighted rapids on this trip. You’ll camp in some amazing remote beaches where you’ll get a chance to swim and relax on layover day. On occasion, mugger crocodiles have been seen along with illusive leopards. The prime time for this trip is in early May or late October.

Paddling tghe big water of the Himalaya

Nepal as a destination is nothing short of spectacular. Explore Kathmandu until your heart is content, with it’s history and great range of rooftop terraces to enjoy a beer or lassi. Nepali people are incredibly kind and generous and will make it a point of welcoming you into their wonderful country. Cold water this is not. Experience some of the best whitewater rafting in the world, Nepal style!

We have recently returned from Morocco with the Ripon Explorer Scouts on what can only be described as a truly inspiring expedition. This team of 15 and 16 year olds along with their scout leader and mentor Phil, had been fundraising for more than 2 years to take part in this expedition. With super market bag packing, letters to prominent businesses and people in the community and Céilidh for donations, they reached their target and left for Morocco in late March 2010 for their two week expedition.

Trekking through the Atlas Mountains

Phase one of the trip was an 8 day trans atlas crossing hiking from the Dades valley to the river put in point, La Cathedrale. The kids did the long 6-8 hour days, camping in remote Berber Villages along the way. Looking tired, but relieved they had made it, we met them by the side of the river to take part in the river portion of their trip. The river was relatively high, however Phil and the scouts, had spent a great deal of time on their paddling to get it up to scratch to paddle the Grade 3 Ahansel River.

Javier and crew paddling Ahansel

The Ahansel River is a gorgeous paddle through the heart of the Atlas Mountains. The first day traditionally is an excellent warm up day, with a few Grade 2 rapids to get into the swing of it. The team of paddlers, helped each other out with “T Rescues” and all arrived at camp without much action at all. Considering the water level, this was a massive achievement. Day two on the river, is somewhat of a different story. The rapids come thick and fast and we tackle some of the most challenging rapids of the trip such as “Wee Stinky” and “S Bend”. Unfortunately the gear raft got a hole late in the day, so we all camped just below Wee Stinky to make sure we had enough time to repair the raft well.

Helping Phil across the river on rescue day

The next morning was a scheduled rescue day, so we spent the morning getting guidance from the instructors on crossing rivers safely, throwbag practise and then in the afternoon, we had a scenario to practise all of our skills that had been taught. A river rescue course gives an excellent platform to give kids confidence in an environment where few people have that knowledge and skills to give them that confidence. Tonight’s dinner is pizza and chips!

The gorgeous view from "Cave Camp" on the Ahansel River, Morocco

The following day we finished off the best of the rapids and had a great night camping out under the stars at the gorgeous cave camp. Our last day sees a stunning paddle through 2 huge and high gorges to the Lake at Bin El Ouidane where we get collected by a boat that takes us across the lake and to our vehicle which takes us back to Marrakech. From here we have a few days R and R and a “short” trip back to the UK… but yes, that is another story due to volcano… Marrakech to Ripon 3.5 days overland…. but that is why they call it adventure travel. This trip was even more amazing as Phil the scout leader is a recent amputee… a truly inspirational character already planning his next trip. This time with all amputees! So if you have a group that wants a challenge, let us create the ideal trip for you.

Our team is now well and truly in the midst of our Morocco rafting season. But who rafts in Morocco and what different trips are on offer there? When many people picture Morocco, they think Sahara Desert and lets face it, the rafting wont be very good there! However Morocco is home to the Atlas Mountains and the wonderful rivers that feed from it. The best time to go to Morocco is in fact now in the spring when the run off is at it’s best, however rafting and kayaking can be done until late May when the Ahansel River gets too low to run. The Ahansel River is a perfect Grade 3 river, suitable for both first timers, families wanting to go rafting and seasoned rafters just wanting to go and explore a river off the beaten track.

Travelling Through The Stunning Gorges On The Ahansel River

The river trips in Morocco are all of different lengths. Go for a “quick fix” and stay in our Berber Camps for just £210 for 3 days including a stop at Cascade D’Ouzoud, or take your time to raft the entire river from Cathedral to the lake on our Hidden Morocco trip. Water By Nature also offers kayaking trips for Grade 3 paddlers and for complete novices, we run a 10 days kayak school in late April for you to learn from some of the world’s best kayakers. Our clients tell us, they never tire of the scenery and they say that they never realised places like this existed in Morocco.

Is This How You Imagine Morocco?

Families with children from 10 can join trips in Morocco and our most senior guest was 72. Morocco is just a short flight away with Ryanair or Easyjet from the UK and Europe, so if you are yet to make any plans for Easter, come out and join us for a unique adventure for the whole family. We can even offer a trip to the Sahara or the beach before of after your river trip. we look forward to seeing you here!

I have just been fortunate enough to spend a couple of weeks at our stunning camp in the heart of Patagonia near the town of Futaleufu. The Rio Futaleufu itself has a wonderful name in the world for its stunning big water rapids, crystal clear water all framed by pristine forest reaching all the way to the river. But its the other activities that are lesser known in the area. Amazing horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and sea kayaking are just a few of the activities on offer in the area.

Riding up the Rio Chico Valley

There are few places in the world that offer more stunning views in the morning as you wake up to the gentle sound of the river running beneath your riverside cabanas and the smell of coffee delivered to your room. In the afternoon after your whitewater rafting, why not kick back and relax in our riverside hot tub? This is far from “roughing it” adventure travel. As with all our trips though, we think it is important, to meet and interact with the locals. Our neighbours Carlos and Alicia come over and prepare Asado (barbequed sheep cowboy style) for us one night and we in fact get fresh eggs, bread and vegetables from their garden on a daily basis.

Stan and crew with a successful run through "Mundaca"

Patagonia is also an amazing destination to come with your family. There are plenty of activities on offer for the family, from horse riding to fishing… and you will catch dinner. Our guides know the area well and can offer safe and fun activities each and every day, and with plenty of variety thrown in. We all know how important that is with kids! Family holidays with a difference, come and check them out for yourself.

Amazing Fishing from El Limite to our Camp

We are very fortunate to team up with Peter Cox from Ireland, 2007 Landscape Photographer of the Year. In conjunction with Water By Nature, he will run a photographic workshop on the Zambezi River from 2nd – 10th  October 2010. Participants will get tuition from Peter on improving the technical elements of their photography as well as creative improvements in their photography. Peter’s goal is that photographers come away from the trip not only with some stunning images, but also to have a greater awareness on how to use the camera effectively. The Batoka Gorge and the Zambezi River gives a stunning platform to teach photo enthusiasts of all levels.

Peter will take workshops morning and evening and also give participants and insight into sports photography as you shoot rafts coming through some of the Zambezi whitewater rapids. Every day you’ll be looked after on the river and in camp by a dedicated crew of river professionals from Water By Nature to give you more time to do what you love doing, shooting photos. We will even take a power source, to help with charging batteries. Zambia’s weather is hot and settled in October when the trip takes place and you’ll be treated to some stunning cloud formations. A full breakdown of the itinerary and necessary camera equipment is available on the Water By Nature website. Places are strictly limited to 16 photographers so to secure your place on the trip, please book online.

With the recent cold snap hitting the UK, we are already thinking about trips to some of our warmer destinations. It’s easy to get excited about going to the Zambezi or Morocco when you experience weather like this. But despite all the chaos caused by the snow and plunging temperatures, we are treated to some spectacular vistas from the office and lets face it, we have been out there having fun not only building the predictable snowman, but also building a raft out of snow much to the bemusement of passing motorists.

Welcome to our winter office..... brrr

So for your 2010 escape for your summer adventure, call the rafting specialists… we are in the office!

Water By Nature are proud to announce 2 amazing new trips for 2010. Nepal and Zambia have been two of our more popular destinations for clients, so it made sense to offer more choice for our customers. In Nepal, we have chosen a wonderful introduction to expeditionary river trips, on the Karnali River in Western Nepal. Despite the trip starting and finishing in the vibrant city of Kathmandu, travelers will get the chance to explore Nepal’s Wild West. On the river, you’ll experience some wonderful jungle, big water rapids and spectacular beaches. The lower reaches have incredible wildlife such as mugger crocodiles and large catfish. You may even like to try your hand at fishing for dinner! But don’t worry, we’ll feed you wonderful cuisine along the way.

Young Gurung lads in Western Nepal

Our new trip for the Zambezi features a choice of activities after a four day river trip, rafting the best rapids on the Zambezi River. This trip was made famous in 2008 when we took Jack Osbourne and Elijah Wood on the ITV Celebrity Adrenaline Junkie series. Just like them, we’ll fly you back in style to Livingstone after the rafting trip to a wonderful hotel on the banks of the river. The following morning, you’ll get to experience some of Livingstone’s best adventure activities and you get to make the trip as relaxing, wildlife focussed or adrenaline charged as you wish. Your choices will include, walking with Elephants along the banks of the Zambezi, a Lion Encounter, high tea at Livingstone Island, Tiger fishing, Jetboating and gorge swing. On your last day in Livingstone you can choose from a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, a kayak trip on the Zambezi, a microlight, or a Bungy jump from the world famous Victoria Falls bridge spanning the Zambezi.

Bob in the spray of the Victoria Falls about to start the raft trip

We look forward to seeing you on these trips in 2010 and you seeing for yourselves what makes both of these trips amazing. This is just a snapshot of what Water By Nature does. For information on our other trip types, then please take a visit to our website and plan your 2010 adventure holiday.

When the best and most gorgeous rafting trips in the world are discussed, it’s hard to go past the Rio Futaleufu in Patagonia. Set in the stunning Region X in Chile with its spectacular mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and native forest, the Futaleufu River offers the most avid adventurer, an experience of a lifetime in our home away from home. We have a stunning ranch on the bank of the river where you’ll stay in cabanas (cabins) looking out over the river, enjoying a glass of red wine or an ice cold beer contemplating just how great your rafting was today!

The view from your cabana in Chile

You’ll be accompanied by a team of world class rafting guides, who are not only the best in the industry and will safely guide you down the river during the day, but they transform into supreme chefs in the evening, making you one of wonderful meals they prepare on the trip. You will sample not only wonderful western cuisine, but also traditional food from Chile such as Asado, Porotos Granados or Pollo Arvejado. Our cabins offer you a comfortable alternative to camping, each set up with comfortable beds and mattress and a chair to sit on your balcony and overlook the Futaleufu.

Stan and crew paddling through "Himalaya" on the Futaleufu River

In addition to rafting all the best rapids and sections of the Futaleufu, including Bridge to Bridge, Inferno Canyon and the Terminator section, travellers get the chance to explore some of the side valleys of the region including the Azul Valley. During our week’s adventure we horse ride into the Azul Valley and then take inflatable kayaks back out to the Futaleufu. For many of our clients, this day, is one of the highlights of the trip for them. Come and experience one of the best rivers in the world.

Dates Available:

26th December 2009 – 2nd January 2010
6th February 2010 – 13th February 2010