Safety -rafting

Safety – At Serious Fun, safety is always our top priority

At Serious Fun, we take safety seriously, and we have over 30 years’ experience of rafting on Numedalslågen. This makes us leaders in understanding the river’s conditions and water fluctuations, which is crucial to ensuring a safe rafting experience. We keep a close eye on water levels throughout the year and adapt the routes to match the current conditions. Based on our expertise, we are also often consulted by other rafting companies and kayaking groups seeking advice on river conditions and safety.

Before the rafting trip
Check in and preparations

When you arrive at our base in Dagali, you’ll be welcomed by our experienced team. Here, your group is registered and we provide you with all the necessary information to ensure a safe experience.

Equipment and customization

The right equipment is essential for both comfort and safety. Our guides help you find the right size of wetsuits, shoes, helmets and life jackets. We use neoprene suits in different thicknesses to ensure optimal warmth and freedom of movement.

Self-declaration form

All participants must complete a self-declaration form before the trip. This can be done digitally in advance or on paper at check-in. The form confirms that you have understood the safety rules and are able to participate in the activity.

Safety briefing (safety briefing)

Before the trip starts, we have a thorough safety talk. Here we go through important points such as how to use the equipment, important paddling commands, how to handle situations such as falling into the water, and rescue techniques, including self-rescue and camera assistance. We give you plenty of time to ask questions.

After the safety briefing, participants are assigned their guide and we hold an extra safety talk in the raft, by the river. Here we go through the practical information you need to handle the trip. Sometimes these two briefings are combined into one session, but we always go through all the necessary information so that you are well prepared.

Our guides

At Serious Fun, we have a wide range of guides with different experience and expertise. We have both junior and senior guides. Senior guides are often trip leaders, and we always have at least one senior guide on every rafting trip to ensure the highest level of safety and leadership. All our guides have the necessary courses in rafting and rescue.

During the rafting trip
Experienced guides on the river

All our rafts have a minimum of one guide, but we always have a minimum of two guides on each trip, even if there are only guests in one raft. The second guide can be in a kayak and provides extra safety and assistance if needed. Our guides have in-depth knowledge of Numedalslågen and are specially trained in rafting and rescue techniques.

Water level and risk assessment

The water level in the river changes throughout the year, partly due to melting snow in the spring, spring floods, rain and temperature. Due to the water level, the rafting route we use may change and we always adapt the trips according to the best conditions for the day. For safety’s sake, the youngest participants may be driven around the largest rapids by bus, allowing them to avoid the most challenging parts of the trip.

Important information about the river

Please note that even at high water levels, Numedalslågen is a technical mountain river that is shallow and has many rocks. If you were to fall out of the raft, there is a risk of hitting rocks. That’s why it’s important to follow the safety instructions carefully and use the right technique to protect yourself in the water.

Why we don’t raft some rapids at high water levels

At high water levels, some rapids on the river can become too dangerous, as the force of the water increases and creates more challenging conditions. When the water level is high, the current becomes stronger, which can lead to a greater risk of being thrown out of the raft or having difficulty navigating through the toughest sections. In addition, the sections between rapids can have strong currents that make it difficult to get participants back to the raft in time for the next rapids. To ensure the rafting experience remains safe, we avoid these areas at high water levels.

Safety at a distance between fleets

Each raft acts as a safety and rescue raft for the others, and it’s important that the rafts don’t get too far apart. If they do, it can hinder quick response to any mishaps or challenges on the river. That’s why we can stop along the way to adjust the distance and make sure all the rafts stay close together. This is part of our thorough safety routine that applies to all rafting experiences, not just the toughest rapids.

Safety on the toughest rapids

On the toughest rapids, one of the guides will go down to the rapids to watch the first raft go through. The guide acts as security for the first raft and is ready to react with a throwing line should anyone fall out. After the first raft has passed, the guide will wait for the other rafts and act as security for them, while the guide returns to his raft waiting above the rapids.

Communication on the river

The tour guide and bus driver carry phones both on the river and during the bus ride to ensure quick communication if necessary. In addition, the guides use whistles and hand signals to communicate with each other during the rafting trip.

Bus and bus driver as an extra resource

Although the bus driver is not necessarily a guide, he is an important additional resource during the rafting experience. The bus driver stops at the main rapids and can assist if needed, but his main priority is always to ensure safety. He is also in charge of taking photos and videos, but will always set this aside to help if needed.

The bus may be in the immediate vicinity, but it may also be necessary to walk on rough terrain to reach certain areas. If you want to take a break along the way, the bus is available as a safe and comfortable place to relax before the rest of your trip.

Safety requirements
Who can participate?

Rafting is suitable for most people, but some groups have specific requirements to participate:

• People with heart disease, neck, back or serious medical problems are not recommended to participate.
• Pregnant women and people under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot participate.
• Swimming skills are required for Superrafting and Vikingrafting, but Family Rafting does not require swimming skills as the river is calmer and life jackets are used.
• The age limits are as follows: Family Rafting from 8 years, Super Rafting from 12 years, Extreme Rafting from 15 years.

Safety rules

To ensure a safe rafting experience, all participants must follow these rules:

• Listen to your guide and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Always wear a helmet, life jacket, wetsuit and shoes throughout the trip.
• Follow the instructions and the commands given by the guide.
• No alcohol or drugs before or during the trip.

In case of violation of instructions

Participants who do not follow the instructions may be asked to sit in the bus. Irresponsible behavior can affect the entire group’s rafting experience and we ask that everyone respects the safety rules to ensure a safe and fun trip for all.

Insurances

Serious Fun has liability insurance that covers all our activities, and we follow strict safety requirements and guidelines from the Norwegian Rafting Organization and the Norwegian Directorate for Safety and Emergency Preparedness. We also have approved and experienced guides.