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Whitewater rafting is a great activity that has become more common around the world since the 1970s. Since then, we have developed an expertise in the sport, and there is now better quality equipment available to use. Because of this, a river that has been known to swallow whole an expedition in the past is now safe enough for people to take their rafting trips down hundreds of times each year. There are also outfitters, which are rafting operators, who will be your guides for the trip. These outfitters have legislated safety requirements to go by, and they vary depending on the area you are rafting in. However, all off the requirements are closely the same to ensure that everyone is safe. You should talk with your raft operator about all of the safety guidelines and the classifications of the rapids before you decide to sign up for the trip.
There are six different whitewater classifications that range from easy to nearly impossible. Class one is, obviously, the easiest. It has no obstacles, only small ripples, and a slow current. Class two is considered moderately difficult with occasional obstacles and a medium current with waves. Classes one and two are ideal for younger and inexperienced people to run on. Class three is difficult with longer rapids and strong currents that are irregular, and class four is very difficult, longer with numerous waves, and has steeper drops. These two classes, three and four, are considered okay for more experienced groups to take. Class five is extremely difficult, has very big drops, is very swift, and heavily obstructed with obstacles, which is considered an amateur class. Then there is class six. This class is nearly impossible and extremely dangerous. It should only be run by expert teams, with all precautions taken and close studies completed.
Maine has three rivers that are usually used for whitewater rafting. These are the Kennebec River, Penobscot River, and the Dead River. Each one of the these rivers are different and unique in their own way, but you are sure to get the thrill and excitement that you seek for your adventure on at least one of these rivers. The Kennebec River has a twelve mile trip that begins on Indian Pond at Harris Station. It then flows through the Kennebec Gorge, which ends at The Forks. This twelve mile trip can be classified anywhere between a class two and a class four, because in sections of the river there are all of the traits that these classifications have. Next, is the Penobscot River, and this river has a fourteen mile long trip. For the first two miles, it descends from McKay Station through Ripogenus Gorge. The other twelve miles of rapids will take you on a journey that will end near Pockwockamus Falls. This river has all the traits of a class three to class four rapids. Last, but not least, is the Dead River, which has the longest stretch of continuous rapids at sixteen miles. Your trip will begin at Grand Falls and will end at The Forks. The Dead River has a classification of classes four and five and should only be run by experienced whitewater rafters.
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