Rafting is a sport – or simply a leisure activity – that consists of going down sections of rivers which include rapids caused by strong currents and potential obstacles. It is practiced on board an inflatable vessel regarded as a raft, called a “raft.” It can be steered alone using an oar, or with several people using paddles.
Rafting is practiced on white water, that is to say, on water with significant movement resulting for example from a gradient or from rocks within a river or a torrent. It is therefore an aquatic activity, although the aim is obviously to stay on board the raft, which is specifically designed to ensure stability through the rapids.
photo credit : https://www.whitewatermag.com/
This activity is accessible to everyone, as long as one knows how to swim. However, the level of difficulty can vary according to the sections of the river, which is also the subject of a classification system, making the activity sporty or even technical. Rafting can be practiced in a club and is attached to the French Canoe-Kayak Federation, as well as the International Rafting Federation and the World Rafting Federation at the global level.
In the other sections, we will look at when this discipline appeared, what equipment and skills are necessary for rafting, as well as where and how you can enjoy it, etc.