Ocoee White Water Rafting

Ocoee White Water Rafting - Ride the rapids on an adrenaline filled sightseeing adventure!

Ocoee White Water Rafting is a fun, challenging sightseeing activity. With an inflatable raft, rage on down the river! Experience the thrill and excitement that whitewatering will bring. The sport has been popular since the mid-1970s.

This great river flows through the southern Appalachian Mountains. It is famous for the Ocoee White Water Rafting that many people enjoy here. Whitewater slaloms have been held here during the Summer Olympics. The slaloms were on a one-mile Olympic whitewater course fed by the Ocoee #3 dam.

In Georgia, it is called Toccoa, and changes names near McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. It is a tributary of the Hiwassee River, not far from Benton, Tennessee. The Cherokee and Creek Indians held this river in high regard. The Tennessee Valley Authority regulates the water with three dams. The flumes along the mountainside divert the water, leaving shallow waters for Ocoee White Water Rafting.

Just what creates the beasts that we ride on when Ocoee White Water Rafting? There are four basic ingredients that contribute to the creation of these exhilarating beasts. The four ingredients are the flow rate, constriction, obstruction, and the gradient. Constriction and obstruction are the ones (steambed factors) that don't really change. The flowrate, however, changes based on the amount of rain, and melting snow entering the water.

The gradient is how quickly the river goes downhill. The steep gradients help create raging whiitewater, and the shallower gradients are in the gentler sections. Constrictions force a river into a more narrow channel. The thinner channel makes the water move faster. Boulders and ledges are some of the obstructions of Ocoee White Water Rafting. They cause drops and cushions as well as holes. A hole is where the river flows back on itself. Eddies are sometimes created behind obstructions. These are 'rest stops', but can sometimes be like spinning in a whirlpool.

Do you know about the International Grading System? Rapids are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being the easiest and six being the most challenging.

Here is a short description of each of the classes used for Ocoee White Water Rafting..

• Class 1: No real maneuvering needed. These are small semi-rough waters. No Skill needed.
  
• Class 2: Some maneuvering. A little rough water, possibly rocks, and small drops. Basic Paddling Skills.
  
• Class 3: Might need significant maneuvering. As much as 3-5 ft drops, whitewater, some waves, not much danger. Good paddling skills.
  
• Class 4: May need sharp maneuvering. Could be a good drop, large waves, whitewater, and rocks. Whitewater Experience.
  
• Class 5: Need precise maneuvering. Large drops, whitewater, bigger waves and rocks, more hazards. Advanced Whitewater Experience.
  
• Class 6: Very dangerous. Huge drops, whitewater, huge waves and rocks, sometimes invisible dangers. Expert skill

Whitewater kayaks flow through the water better than sea kayaks. They are shorter and easier to maneuver and handle water spilling onto them better. Most of them are made from plastic, but some are fiberglass. They are pretty stable. A skillful "Eskimo Roll" will roll them back upright if they are flipped.

Rafts are even more stable than kayaks, but don't maneuver quite as easily. Grab all of your friends, and ride the rapids on an Ocoee White Water rafting adventure! If you would rather go it alone, single rider rafts can be found. Newer rafts are inflatable with durable materials and independent air chambers. They vary in length and width. Rafts are very different beasts compared to kayaks or canoes. Maneuver each one differently when Ocoee White Water Rafting.

Catarafts are very similar to rafts. The Shredder is a little different. Invented by Tom Love in the late 80's, it can be paddled by one or two people. They usually have pontoons on either side. The Shredder is usually smaller and easier to maneuver than rafts.

Ocoee White Water rafting can be dangerous. Se sure to pay attention to safety. Many outfitters must be certified. Be sure to talk to your guide about safety. Make sure you are prepared with the right gear - both yours and the outfitter's. Much better equipment and expertise exist today than did in the past. Some accidents still happen, but are not common. If you happen to get thrown from the raft, try to swim to an Eddy so you don't continue riding downstream with no raft. Lie on your back, with your feet downstream - noes and toes in the air. Thousands of people every year have a fun, safe Ocoee White Water Rafting adventure.