Whitewater Rafting????

Question

I'm going whitewater rafting tomorrow in Southern Wisconsin with some of my friends. What exactly should i wear?

Answer 1

You should wear a life jacket.

Answer 2

Whenever there is a question....do what I do...RAFT NAKED!!!!

Answer 3

something that you wouldn't mind getting wet in.

Answer 4

Quick drying shorts or swim suits (no cottons!)

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      River Sandals or old tennis shoes (no flip flops!)

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      Sunscreen

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      Sunglasses with retaining cord

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      For cloudy days wear synthetic shirts (poly-pro works great!)

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      Waterproof disposable camera

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      Don't forget a dry change of clothes for after your trip

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      Cash for souvenirs, snacks and tipping your guide (if you enjoy your ride!) Tipping is a way to tell your guide he/she did a great job!

Answer 5

Ok, before I answer, I have a question for you:  What river can you go whitewater rafting on in Southern WI?  I am a w/w kayaking enthusiast who happens to live in Southern WI, and I have to drive at least 4 hours north before I get to any decent whitewater.  I would love to know of a good place to go that is closer to me.  Ok, now for the answer:  First, wear some old shoes.  Sandals won't work, because a) you could lose them, and b) they don't provide adequate protection for your feet if you do fall out and end up walking across a rocky-bottomed river.  Second, (again, I have no idea where you could possibly find whitewater in Southern WI, but let's just assume you will be rafting in class I or II rocky whitewater.  Classes I and II aren't that wild.)  You should consider wearing long pants or capris that at least cover your knees.  Again, if you are in rocky whitewater and you fall out, you won't proctect your knees against bumps, but long pants will provide some protection against getting cuts from hitting rocks.  You could still get a cut if you hit a rock hard enough, but it won't be as serious and jagged as it would be if you were not covering your knees.  You may want to cover your elbows for the same reason, but you probably won't be in very wild water.  If you are not used to paddling for long periods of time and don't want blisters, consider wearing some gloves.  Paddling gloves would of course work best, but thin, tight garden, bike, or drumming gloves would probably work too.  In wilder water, you should wear a helmet, but I doubt you will need one for whatever river you are going on.  Last is the obvious:  wear a life jacket.  Also, it is only mid-may, and if you are in deeper water, it won't be that warm yet.  If you have a wetsuit, maybe you should wear it.

One more thing - don't bring anything on the river that you could lose in the water.  This includes beer cans or bottles and cigarette butts.  The rivers I frequent in North-Eastern WI have rafting and lots of other recreational paddling traffic, and it really pisses many of us off when we see the rafters or canoeists bringing along coolers of beer, and then throwing their empties in the river.  Same with smokers who throw their butts in the water or on the ground.  It takes 7 years for a cigarette filter to fully decompose.  It is unacceptable to throw a cigarette butt on the ground.  Please don't leave any garbage in or near the river.  Keep Wisconsin clean!