A Beginner’s Guide: White Water Rafting

  If you have never been white water rafting, what is holding you back? There are few things more thrilling than navigating the rapids, exploring the river, and enjoying the great outdoors. There are few places on earth more amazing to do this than here in Scotland with Splash. When you think about white water rafting, you might think it is one of those outdoor adventures reserved for rugged, super-fit, sporting types. It might surprise you to learn, then, that with the right white water rafting tips, this kind of adventure is accessible even for beginners. Here, Splash Rafting offers a guide for beginners, to get you planning your very first rafting trip.

What is White Water Rafting?

The first thing to know is what white water rafting is- and what it is not. White water rafting is a fun activity, and in Scotland, the range of rivers can accommodate just about any age or ability. White water rafting is not an exclusive sport, only for adrenaline junkies, though there are plenty of hardcore adventures to be had out on the rivers. River rafting is classified by grades, with Grade 1 being the easiest, a simple cruise down a river in a raft, through to Grade 6 being exceptionally high risk and, in fact, generally impossible. It might interest you to know that Grades 1 through 3 require no prior experience! Only Grades 4 and 5 are risky enough that you will need to be an experienced rafter to attempt them.  What does this mean? It means that whether you want to take a peaceful boat ride or experience the thrill of the rapids, there is a rafting trip out there for you to enjoy – and here at Splash, we provide white water rafting experiences from grades 1 to 5.

Which River Grades are Suitable for Beginners?

When you are just starting out, you will want to choose one of the first three grades. Grade 1 is easy, with quickly moving water and small waves, perfect if you just want to get out on the river and enjoy the scenery.  Grade 2 rivers have straightforward rapids, clear channels, medium sized waves, and rocks that can be avoided easily. This is a good fit for families with adventurous kids, who want some white water excitement but nothing too scary. Grade 3 rivers have higher, irregular waves, larger rapids, rocks and eddies, and some sections requiring some complicated manoeuvres. They do not require any prior experience, but you should be in relatively good physical condition, with the ability to swim. They are good for people looking for some thrills but not wanting to push themselves too far. If you have any questions, we can guide you in the right direction.

Planning a River Trip

If you are eager for a white water adventure in Scotland, give us a call! You will be provided with whitewater rafting equipment, and experienced guides will lead you through the right whitewater rafting techniques to help you safely manoeuvre through the water. Your responsibilities will be to place yourself in the guide’s capable hands, follow instructions, learn the commands, and stay hydrated and energised, ready to take on whatever the river has to offer.

White Water Trips with Splash Rafting

From our premier location in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Splash Rafting offers trips on the River Tay, the River Tummel, and the River Orchy. In fact, Splash is the only rafting company to run the River Orchy regularly during the winter season. The River Orchy is a high-adrenaline river, with rapids from Grade 3 to 5, and it offers some of the best rafting in the country. Lower key but equally fun is the River Tay, a safer bet for beginners, and an excellent place to experience the thrills of rafting all year round. The river has many rapids between Grades 2 and 3 that are fun and challenging, and a lovely stretch of lazy river on which to practice newly discovered rafting skills. On the River Tummel, white water rafting trips run on weekends from June to September, and they are so popular that they are typically booked far in advance. If you want to experience Scotland’s two most popular rivers together, you can try our One Day Two Rivers trip which includes rafting on the River Tay and the River Tummel.

Outdoor Activity for Every Occasion and Skill Level

If you are looking for white water adventure in Highland Perthshire, Splash Rafting is the perfect provider. With over 20 years of industry experience, we offer a range of outdoor adventure activities, and take pride in making sure our clients have a great experience. We are based in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, and we use the River Tay, River Tummel, and River Orchy for our white water rafting, river bugging, and river duckies. Keltneyburn and Acharn canyons are used for our canyoning experiences. Whether you are interested in a fun family outing, a stag do or hen party, a team building day, or even a school trip, we will provide the experience of a lifetime in as safe an environment as possible, using all the latest safety equipment and safety precautions. Come join the fun of outdoor adventure in an incredible location, surrounded by the best of Scotland’s wildlife and scenery! To learn more, contact us through our website or schedule a tour today.