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Bringing The Family Together Through White Water River Rafting
There are few ways to bring the family together like white water river rafting. It builds teamwork, fosters a feeling of equality among siblings, and offers a sense of accomplishment every splash of the way.
Rafting may not be the first choice of everyone, but generally it is a favorite by the time the kids are done. With rafting, there’s a mix of forbidden thrill and sheer fun that wins over the most reluctant participant. Rafting has an element of danger, which makes kids feel like there is a lot at stake. This sport offers some intense thrills as it bounces through the rapids. The experience often feels like a very long ride at an amusement park.
A guide, usually sitting at the back, shouts out orders. This is important to team-building because it eliminates the natural boss of the family. That may be Mom, Dad or even a dominant sibling. The group has to work together. Weaker or younger family members will be full participants in the success of this undertaking. This is the ultimate teamwork sport, but it is so much fun that kids play along willingly.
The sheer busyness of the endeavor tends to keep kids from whining and complaining. It also balances the talkative family members with the quiet ones. There’s not a lot of time for conversation. This leaves everyone free to enjoy the experience without interference. There probably will be shared exclamations of joy, surprise, and frustration.
White water rafting is a favorite for those who really want to disconnect. It ensures that there will be no smart phone to interfere with real communication. There’s no room for texting or internet surfing when you’re on the water. There’s no video, music or YouTube to cause a distraction.
Choosing your destination carefully is important. If children and other novices are involved, it is best to stick with Class I or Class II rapids. This minimizes danger and ensures that everyone can handle the task. Rental places generally have pre-inflated plastic rafts that seat four to eight people.
For safety, life jackets are part of the rental package, and there’s generally some training in the do’s and don’ts. These aren’t parental rules but the rules of the game. These aren’t parental cautions but words of safety from trained professionals. Children are more likely to heed these warnings, and that makes a parent’s job much more enjoyable.
The weather can play a role in how much the children enjoy rafting. They need to be well-insulated against the cold, if temperatures are spring- or fall-like. The temperature on the water is always cooler than on land. The temperature in the water may be close to freezing in many mountain rivers. Getting wet, which is inevitable as the family splashes through the rapids, can lead to chills, especially if the day is cold or cloudy.
White water rafting offers that just-right blend of adventure that appeals to people of all ages. It’s definitely a good way to disconnect from the outside world and spend some quality time together as a family.
This article was written by Ryan Thomas for Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting. Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting has guided thousands of whitewater rafting trips on Clear Creek and throughout Colorado.
