photo : Howard Dickins
Summer sport superstars in Steiermark must include rafting on their activity agenda. Raftin’ Rules!
It’s a sensation seekers sugar-pill, coated with liberal amounts of adrenalin that can be sucked at any time between June and September.
But on a more serious note -
Rafting Rules
White water rafting is an activity that can be enjoyed from childhood to middle age and beyond. It’s as safe as riding a bike, as long as you stick to the rules!
These are:
- always follow the instructions given by the rafting guide;
- if (or should that be when?) you fall in, adopt a position on your back with legs together pointing downstream and keep hold of the paddle, you’ll need it later!
- if (or when) someone else falls in, grab them by their life jacket to pull them back into the raft… never grab them by their hand;
- if (or when) someone else falls, never jump in after them.The guides will do any heroic stuff that’s necessary -they’re trained for it, you aren’t!
- if / when the raft hits a rock , lean in the direction of the rock – this will help prevent the boat from capsizing;
- where possible, avoid branches and trees growing over the water – these hurt and could lead to loss of place on raft!
- don’t drink and drive - alcohol and white water rafting do not mix!
