White Water Rafting — Know Before You Go

For some it is a bucket list item, for others it’s a way of life. There’s something about it that everyone can love.

What is White Water Rafting?

White water rafting, depending on who you ask can be considered an extreme sport or a leisure activity. It is much like skiing in the sense that the experience depends on how you decide to traverse the elements. For some it is a bucket list item, for others it’s a way of life. There’s something about it that everyone can love.

You may be asking that’s cool but what is white water? White water forms when fast moving water hits an obstruction and turns white. It is bubbly, aerated water that comes with waves, wave-like formations. The waves below are common to see on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers.

Why would anyone in their right mind do it?

1. It’s awesome! (duh)
2. It is incredibly safe with the right guide and the right river. The Kennebec River, for example, is safe for multiple reasons: It’s predictability, existence of safe paths, and depth.
3. It can relieve stress and anxiety. You may just come out of the rapids a different person. Magic Falls has multiple guides who moved to town after finding an improved way of life with the river. You’ll definitely have higher self-esteem while releasing your stress and anxiety once you start paddling.
4. The Community. The Forks is a bit of an enigma in society. It’s a tight-knit surfer-type of community in the middle of rural Maine. It’s full people who escaped the anxiety of normal life. From travel nurses, to fire jugglers, to 60 year old Deadheads, the Forks has some of the most free people and caring people you will ever meet. The Guide Olympics is an event put on by the town each year to raise money for those in a struggle as well make important donations to the town and rivers that flow through it.
5. Spend time with family. You can take a trip that lasts 1–4 hours, depending on what you choose. Get some thrill with the family, then talk, swim, and enjoy some snacks when the river calms down. Did I mention you can do all of this WITHOUT YOUR PHONE!

What to Expect White Water Rafting

Magic Falls starts off their day by gathering everyone for safety instructions and equipment hand-out. Everyone is issued a personal floatation device (pfd), a helmet, and a paddle. Once everyone is all set, we load up onto the bus to be shuttled up to Harris Dam. The whole time we’re either singing together or sharing stories of the river. Beware of guide lies! It’s become a kind of tradition in The Forks among most guides to tell outlandish stories. From crime bosses to fighter jets to aliens, guides have been known to tell their guests all sorts of stories to make their guests listen in awe and wonder.

When we arrive at the dam, we make it very clear it will be the last porcelain toilet for 13 miles. Once we get down to our raft, its time to practice what we explained in our safety speech. Then we slide our boat down 200 feet of rails and set up to sail.

Getting in the Raft

Now it’s time to paddle. Find your spot in the raft. The front is the most exciting with the biggest splashes. All the other seats are just about the same. Not as in your face as the front, but still a great ride with the right guide. Once you’ve found your spot, get a good foot hold. This will help you stay in the boat and, more importantly, give your paddling more power.

Paddling

Don’t let the rapids scare you. Your team needs you to paddle to make it through big waves. It takes a good angle (that’s on your guide) and good power to get up and over big waves. Some have the immediate response of stopping their paddling when facing the big waves. As it turns out, your paddle is actually what will keep you in the boat. It is the best brace between you and the water.

Swimming

Ah, yes. Everyone’s biggest concern when it comes to white water rafting. What happens if I fall out of the raft? What do I do if I can’t swim? What if I can’t get back to the raft? What if I can’t get back in?

Stay calm. The Kennebec River and the Dead River see thousands of swimmers every year. We actually encourage our guests to hop and swim a Class II rapid on the Kennebec, called swimmer’s rapid.

If you find yourself swimming a rapid follow these steps:

1. Get your head out of the water. It is possible to find yourself under the raft. It is easy to get out as long as you stay calm. Put your hands on the raft, pick a direction and walk your hands that way until you pop out.
2. Nose & Toes. Get your up. The most dangerous thing in the river is the rocks on the bottom. It doesn’t matter if you’re facing upstream or downstream, as long as your feet are up you eliminate the biggest danger facing you.
3. Head on a swivel. DON’T TAKE YOUR FIRST BREATH YET! This sounds crazy but bear with me. First, look at where you are going and find your raft. The goal is to get back to the raft. This is hard to do if you are constantly going through waves with a poorly-timed breath. Breathing comes first, then get back to the raft.
4. Breathe. Time your breathing with the waves coming at you. It only takes one mistimed breath to swallow some water. You can still swim just fine if this happens, but it may throw off you your focus. The best strategy is to take quick, powerful sips of air as soon as your face comes out of the water.
5. Aggressive Self Rescue. Even though our guides have undergone extensive training to recover swimmers, you are still the most important person when it comes to your rescue. Do not swim as hard as you can as soon as you can. You will burn yourself out. If you are downstream of your raft, swim upstream to slow yourself down. If you are upstream, get to the raft, but be prepared for waves coming from the other side of the raft.
6. Get In. Your pfd serves as a sort of harness to pull you into the raft. Small teenagers have pulled in fully grown adults using the proper technique. You can help by pulling yourself up using the perimeter line that goes around the raft.

It seems like a lot, I know. Almost every time a guest falls out of our raft, they pop up right next to it and are able to hang on the perimeter line. Most swimmers are back in within 10 seconds. However, it is important to know what to do in the worst case scenario.

What To Bring White Water Rafting

What to bring on the raft:

1. Necessary Medicine (Your guide will have a bag to keep things dry)
2. Water bottle (optional, Magic Falls brings lemonade)
3. Sunscreen
4. Waterproof camera
5. Bug Spray

What to bring for after:

1. Dry clothes
2. Footwear (sandals, shoes, doesn’t matter as long as you change your river shoes)

What to Wear On a Sunny Day

Top: Synthetic material shirt (cotton will hold moisture) (long sleeves if you burn easily)

Bottom: Bathing suit OR Synthetic/quick dry shorts

*Note: a snug fit is better than loose

Footwear: Wool socks (if you need to wear socks), water shoes, old sneakers, strapped sandals

*Note: Your shoes should not hinder your ability to swim or walk over rocks. We recommend Chacos and Crocs sneakers. Magic Falls has water shoes available

Other:

Chums (to hold eyewear on your head)

*Note: Magic Falls has chums available

Hat

Sunglasses

What to Wear on a Cold/Rainy Day

Top: Wet suit top OR wool sweater OR wool sweater & splash top/ rain jacket/wind jacket

*Note: The point is to not hold water. Your gear also should not hinder your ability to swim

Bottom: Wet suit bottom OR warm, synthetic leggings & bathing suit

*Note: Magic Falls has wet suits available

Footwear: Wool socks, water shoes, old sneakers, strapped sandals

*Note: Your shoes should not hinder your ability to swim or walk over rocks. We recommend Chacos and Crocs sneakers. Magic Falls has water shoes available

Other: Synthetic warm hat

What NOT to Bring White Water Rafting

1. Phone (you won’t have service anyway)
2. Keys (Magic Falls stores keys in a locked room)
3. Alcohol or Drugs (Magic Falls will not bring guests that we know have consumed or are carrying alcohol or drugs)
4. Cotton Clothing
5. Jewelry
6. Floppy Sandals

Whether you’re looking for a thrill, to get out in nature, or a weekend getaway for your family, white water rafting is an affordable way to get a one of a kind experience.

If you have more questions or want to book a trip contact Magic Falls Rafting Company. Call 800–207–7238 or email adventures@magicfalls.com