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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.

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