|
Water
Sport in Garhwal
Go canoeing,
Kayaking or rafting in the wild rivers of Garhwal. Pit your will and
skill against nature as you race the rapids, manoeuver the bends,
speed along gorges and break into sparkling surf.
White
water river rafting
The challenge of the hard
turbulent rivers is no less than that of 
the rugged mountains. The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of
some of India’s mighty rivers. Fed by innumerable streams they race
along tortuous boulder strewn beds, cutting deep gorges and breaking into
silvery white rapids.
With the intricate network
of mountain rivers flowing throught a myriad of different colours of rocky
gorges, forests, flowers and high mountain villages, the Garhwal and
Kunaon hills provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.
The Sport of while water
river rafting calls for a triumph over the swift swirling river as it
gushes past spectacular mountains. It is practiced mainly in the upper
reaches where the water is wild and white as it frothes & foams,
crashing against narrow gorges, rock6y outcrops and falls at deep
gradients.
As with trekking,
mountaineering and other sports, river rafting too has been classified and
graded in terms of degrees of difficulty. The river must first be
carefully; studied from the land route.
The equipment for white
water river rafting is an oarframe raft which usually accommodates a
maximum of eight persons. It is navigated by an experienced guide using
two large oars. Sometimes all persons on board use paddle for greater
power to match the river. However, keen coordination is necessary and it
is important not to fight the current if adrift. The rafts have inflatable
compartments with vulcanized rubber bodies reinforced by nylon fabric
beneath an exterior of neoprene. This degree of strength for the raft is
necessary for it to tolerate battering by waves and rocks. Generally, the
greater the drop in gradient and the narrower the gorge being negotiated,
the smaller would be the viable raft size. Provisions are carried on
board. In order that the maximum enjoyment be derived from river running,
particularly on white water, It is essential that safety measures be
taken. Primarily, the helmsman on board should be familiar with the
topography of the river and its obstacles. Life jackets and crash helmets
should be worn by all with back up arrangements for rescue, evacuation and
medical attention on the river bank. Most important of all the guide
should be suitably qualified so that panic is avoided if there is a
mishap.
Next
|
