Literally Loving Whitewater River Guide
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by: kaylatyler19
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Word Count: 522
It wasn’t the beautiful scenery or the abundant wildlife that got me into river rafting guide training in Washington. Truth be told, I was all eyes on one lone eagle – you probably know what exactly I’m referring to. I took my chances and signed up for whitewater rafting guide training in WA in hopes of spending more time with that certain eagle.
And so began my ultimate venture into the wild outdoors. I could barely focus on the white water guide training as I was too distracted by the trainer, Sgt. Eagle himself. I was able to keep my focus up until the end of the discussion on safety tips and the whole what-you-need-to-know biz – or at least half of the said subject matter.
Just to prove that I learned something despite the distraction, remember the acronym SPL before you start thrill-seeking in the raging waters. Select, prepare and listen. It’s no secret to all that whitewater rafting, like many other extreme outdoor sports, is practically an open-invite to death. With the many risk factors that come with the dangerous yet thrilling sport, those who want to take the expedition need to learn the safety measures.
Select
Whitewater rafting, though danger-imposing, can actually be a sport for everyone. Those interested just have to select the appropriate trip which typically is heavily dependent on the person’s age and size. Even two-year olds can join a trip down the rapids as long as they are accompanied by their parents and they choose the right trip. There are basically five classes of rapids and only those above 18 are allowed to join Class V.
Prepare
It’s best to have an experienced rafter if you’re going on your first rapid adventure – good thing I had Sgt. Eagle, though not solely to myself, during the trip. Better brush up on those (swimming) strokes before going out in the wild (waters). Don’t dare lie to yourself, or to your guide, about your swimming ability lest you’re really praying for an early demise. Also, you’re the only one who can tell what you’re physical capability really is. Know your limits and don’t push it.
Listen
Professional rafting guides aren’t there for no reason, so you better listen to what they say and listen well. I for one was all ears and eyes on our guide, well, for safety reasons and beyond. Even if you already have experience in river rafting, it’s still better to take the lead of certified rafting guides. There’s no harm in listening.
About the Author
Wild Water River Tours is a company offering River rafting guide training in Washington and Skagit River Bald Eagle watch. For more information, visit http://www.wildwater-river.com/
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