Avalon holiday Resorts,Mussoorie

The magic of white water rafting, the adrenaline pumping with the thrill of negotiating a rapid or just gently floating past terraced hillsides and forest. The moods of a trip can be as diverse as yours. Rafting is an experience not be missed. And once you get the taste for it lets us warn you how addictive this is. Look at us we've been hung on it for so long now. The Rapids gushing and unforgiving are a challenge. But there are some who dare to go, who dare to defy the challenge of these unforgiving rivers. Just for the sheer thrill of conquering them. Thrill that’s intense. The thrill of White Water Rafting.

A rubberized, pneumatic 16-footer raft with metal frame strapped and two pairs of Navigational Oars and four paddles in each raft (Six to nine paddles including one guide paddle in case you are running a paddle raft i.e. without the huge navigational oars) for the crew. Up to two spare paddles are also kept for odd times. Each raft is capable of taking in Eight (8) persons on board including the guide. It is very scientifically made with standard buoyancy as required in these waters.

Rafters on Board

1. GUIDE : The main navigator who sits on the center giving direction and command and selects the channel to be followed in the rapids.

2. HIGHSIDER : The person who takes the burnt of the waves and does the balancing act by throwing his body weight in the direction required.

3. PADDLERS: With both hands on the oar, they paddle hard through the rapid with their feet anchored. They have to balance themselves and paddle hard on direction by the guide.

A rapid is formed by any obstruction caused in the flow of the water by any one or more of the following factors Under lying rocks, Constriction, Water fall, Branching off into two channels, Undercurrents, Volume of water flowing through. Rapids are graded according to the degree of difficulty offered by them in negotiating them and also the feasibility of rescue. Waterfalls are graded as Grade 6 and normally not attempted. The other grades of rapids can be graded by the under mentioned components in them.

Holes/Pourovers: The water descends down and whorls up and the under current is very strong.

Hydraulic: The waves whorl and turn inwards causing a hydraulic motion.

Curler Waves: The big waves sharply fall in a curl around and can throw the raft like a matchbox.

Pin up Rocks: Rocks that can hold up the raft and one can get struck up for a long time.

Eddie: Strong whirlpools with fast currents, which will pull, down the raft or keep it going in circles normally on the opposite direction.

On the Ganga you can enjoy rapids from Grade I to Grade IV+. On the upper stretches of the Ganga you also get to experience some Grade V- Rapids. The most covered part of the river has some really great and technical grade IV+ rapids not to be missed.

Scouting and Running Through

Once the rapid is approaching, if it looks Grade 4 or 5, the raft is pulled to either bank and on the shore for scouting. The crew selects the channel and the guide gives his command. The most important factor in successful run-through is the Entry into the rapid, a coordinated and well-timed effort of the oars and paddles and the exactly timed Balancing act of the Highsider. Anyone of these factors going awry, the raft can turn topsy-turvy and one can head for a long swim. Each crewmember is as important as the other. Utmost concentration is required while going for a run through on a grade IV or plus rapids.

The Safety Brief

Now that you know more or less what is a raft and who paddles and who guides and the rest here are a few things you must know before you go on to the raft. And as it comes straight from the horses mouth take this seriously. Although it is not necessary that you know swimming to go rafting a passion for water and the feeling of being in control at all times is very important. You cannot drown because of your life jackets but you can put your life in serious jeopardy if you don't follow the learnings from this brief.

A river guide once told me while I was doing a programme with Deutsche Bank (India). "It is not very often that a raft flips and specially on the run that we do today there is just no question. But anyway remember to do as I told you and all will be fine." And God did I ask for it, my raft hit a rock and flipped with in 3 minutes of getting in to the water and that too nowhere near a rapid. But I remembered what the guide told me and let my self go. While all the others were picked up soon I went down the river for about a kilometer before I was picked up by another raft. And believe me it was fun. I have been wishing for more raft flips to enjoy more of the river. It is not the same as jumping in to the river to float.

Pull loose buttons and strap and let the life jacket be as close to the body as possible while maintaining the freedom of movement.

The highsider should be ready to face the fury of the waves and put his weight on the stern as and when required to maintain the balance of the raft.

If you are ever on the river away from the raft always float with your feet in the direction of the river flow

And most important don't panic and keep your mouth shut don't try to scream for useless help, you might just end up drinking a lot of water.

So with these instructions have fun and get wet, shake your bon bon and have a gala time.

Brief Disclaimer

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY and RELEASE OF LIABILITY

WARNING: Although we take enough precautions to provide a safe and enjoyable adventure experience, there can be no guarantee of absolute safety against injury and accident, whenever you are undertaking any adventure or outdoors activity and the use of any related equipment. Before you decide to go rafting say to yourself "I recognize that there are inherent dangers both known and unknown in the activity and that the risks may result in serious injury including permanent paralysis or death." Too extreme a statement but what to do that's the way things are........

COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH: You must recognize that we, as provider of services, will operate under a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, but that we may find it necessary to terminate an activity due to forces of nature, medical necessities or other problems. You must accept our right to take such actions for the safety of all participants.