Everything you want to know about rafting

Rafting is an exciting and adrenaline-filled activity that suits everyone – from families looking for a fun and safe experience, to adventurers seeking extreme challenges. In this guide, you’ll find everything you want to know about rafting, from what to expect on your trip, how to stay safe, to the best rafting destinations in Norway. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rafting enthusiast, rafting is a fantastic way to experience the forces of nature up close. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions so you can prepare for an unforgettable rafting experience

What is rafting?

Rafting, or river rafting, is a popular summer activity where you steer an inflatable rubber boat down a river. In commercial rafting, participants have a professional guide in the boat with them. The participants are actively involved and drive the boat under the guide’s direction.

Why should I go rafting?

Because it’s incredibly exciting and fun! You’ll challenge yourself and your own limits and experience an adrenaline rush and butterflies in your stomach. You’ll be completely focused on the experience there and then, you won’t be thinking about deadlines at work or that the house should have been painted in the middle of a rapids, you’ll be vividly present in the middle of the experience.

Your stomach tingles, you’re looking forward to the next rapids, you’re holding on tight and a little afraid of falling into the water. The boat drops, the water splashes in your face and it’s impossible not to laugh out loud.

In a rafting boat, you have to work together with the other participants, there’s no point running your own race, you have to paddle in rhythm and follow the guide’s commands to steer the boat.

What’s more, rafting is a magnificent natural experience, with cascading rivers and beautiful scenery.

Is rafting safe?

As with most activities in nature, there is a certain amount of risk involved in rafting. There are strong forces at work in a river, and extensive experience both with rafting in general and in the individual river is a prerequisite for safe rafting.

The guide needs a lot of experience, both in general and in each individual river, in order to safely guide boats with guests. Rivers change a lot with the seasons and weather conditions, so what may be impossible to raft in the spring flood can be a great stretch for families later in the summer. That’s why all reputable rafting companies have a thorough overview of all the rapids in their rivers at different water levels.

Rafting can never be 100% safe as you are in the wild and the river’s forces are strong and potentially dangerous.

The history of rafting

Driving rafts down rivers is one of mankind’s oldest forms of transportation. In 1862, John Fremont of the US Army led an expedition on rafts built on inflatable rubber tubes down the Platte River in Nebraska. Around 1960, rafting began as a commercial activity, first at the Grand Canyon in the US, and has since spread around the world.

In 1970, rafting was recognized as an Olympic sport. In the 1980s and 1990s, the sport became even more widespread and rafting companies around the world started using new rivers. In Norway, commercial rafting began in the 1980s.

In the early decades, white water rafting was very much an extreme sport and many people unfortunately lost their lives in accidents. Over time, expertise has increased, and many countries have introduced laws and regulations governing commercial rafting. The pioneers laid the foundation for what is now a relatively safe activity.

Grading of rivers

The degree of difficulty of a river or rapids is graded according to the following scale:

• Grade 1: Flat water
• Grade 2: Moving water, few or no obstacles
• Grade 3: Strong current with obstacles and rapids. Maneuvering is required.
• Grade 4: Strong current with large rapids and difficult passages. Maneuvering is difficult, there is a risk of the boat flipping.
• Grade 5: Extremely difficult and only for those with a special interest.
• Grade 6: Impossible to raft, it is too dangerous.

It is said of the highest grade rapids that:
“In a grade five rapid you think that you’ll die, but you don’t. In a grade six rapid you think that you’ll die, and you do.”

Who is rafting suitable for?

Depending on the type of trip you choose, rafting can suit most people. There are family trips even for small children and extreme trips for experienced rafters.

The most important criterion for going rafting is that you are not afraid of water. If you’re really afraid of splashing water and getting wet, you won’t have a pleasant experience, because that happens on most trips.

What are the requirements for rafting participants?

You must be able to swim on most rafting trips. There are some exceptions for the quietest family trips. It is also a requirement that participants are not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Certain illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, back injuries or pregnancy can make rafting difficult or dangerous. If in doubt, ask the guide or the rafting company.

Much can be solved with a little extra planning, whether for chronic illnesses or special disabilities, as long as the rafting company is informed well in advance.

What do you wear when rafting?

When rafting, it’s important to wear the right equipment to stay safe and comfortable. Most rafting companies, such as Serious Fun, provide you with helmets, life jackets and wetsuits, which protect and keep you warm.

For most people, swimwear/underwear is all you need to bring under your wetsuit. An added benefit is to bring a towel to dry off afterwards.

What equipment do I need for rafting?

• Swimwear/underwear to wear under the wetsuit
• Towel to dry yourself afterwards
• Wetsuits, helmets and life jackets will be provided
• Wet shoes (can be borrowed from the rafting company or you can bring your own sneakers)

Early in the season and throughout the fall, you may want to wear wool underwear or thermal underwear/fleece under your wetsuit. Avoid cotton, as it makes you colder.

What is special about a raft?

A raft is made of reinforced rubber/plastic and consists of several inflatable elements. If one of these chambers punctures, the boat can still float and be maneuverable with people in it.

Who are the rafting guides?

Rafteguides are a distinct people who exist in different varieties all over the world. Most guides are seasonal workers, working one season in one part of the world and then another season on the opposite side of the world. This means that they have this as a permanent job. They are often very experienced and have a lot of knowledge about the rivers they guide.

How do you become a rafting guide?

In order to become a rafting guide, you must complete the WTR (Whitewater Rescue Technician) course, which must be updated every three years, and complete training as a training guide at a rafting center.

What other river activities are there?

In addition to rafting, you can also try other river activities such as kayaking, duckies, river boarding and SUP (stand up paddle). All these activities provide different ways to experience the river.

Where should I raft?

Which river should I choose? The answer is ALL! All rivers are different and provide unique rafting experiences. Each river has its own character, from gentle rides to extreme challenges, and the choice of destination depends on what you want to experience.

Serious Fun – Numedalslågen
A technical mountain river and one of the best and most famous in the rafting community. Numedalslågen offers a fantastic combination of beautiful surroundings and challenging rapids, providing both calm and action-packed experiences for all levels.

Voss Rafting
Voss is known for its adrenaline-filled rivers such as Raundalselva and Strandaelva.

Sjoa Rafting
Sjoa is one of Norway’s most popular rafting rivers, with both calm stretches for families and tougher sections for the experienced.

Jølstra and Stardalselva
Jølstra and Stardalselva offer a scenic rafting experience with both calm and challenging rapids.

Trysil and Trysilelva
Trysil offers a mix of family-friendly hikes and exciting rapids.

So which one should I choose?

All rivers provide their own unique experience. The choice of destination depends on what you want to experience, but no matter which one you choose, you will have an amazing rafting experience!

Read more about the different rafting experiences at Serious Fun here