Whether you are planning to swim from the river shore or take a wild ride, choosing the right level of whitewater is essential for a fun, safe, and enjoyable experience. 

How to Choose Your Level of Whitewater

The first step in choosing your whitewater adventure is deciding if you are going with a new crew, experienced friends, or an outfitter.

When taking on a trip for the first time, it is essential to honestly assess your and your crews’ abilities and skills. Having a full understanding of the equipment and gear you need as well as the river you are planning to run will go a long way to ensuring a safe and successful trip. 

Taking a trip with friends that have run the section before or have river experience can give you a head start. They might have the necessary equipment and river knowledge as well as be able to offer advice on what to expect. 

Professional outfitters have extensive river experience and provide the proper gear and equipment you will need. On a guided trip you have the benefit of provided gear, knowledgeable, experienced, and entertaining staff members (that are not only competent and well trained but often have extensive knowledge of the river flora and fauna, local history, and hydrology), logistics taken care of, and river expertise. Outfitters generally have the rivers sections they offer and classification suggestions on their website, and you can always contact them for more information. Taking a river trip with an outfitter requires little to no previous experience, you just need to choose the level of excitement that fits for you and your group.

What is Whitewater?

Whitewater, in its simplest definition, is when turbulence traps air in the water making it froth and appear white and opaque. Most often the term whitewater is used to describe rapids, as well as rivers and creeks that have a significant number of rapids. It can also be used to describe a type of boating that includes whitewater rapids such as whitewater rafting or whitewater kayaking. 

Whitewater rapids are created by four things, either separately or in combination: gradient, constriction, obstruction, and flow rate. 

Gradient is the change in elevation of a river or river section. Water flows from high elevation to low elevation, so all moving water has a least a slight elevation change. Steep drops in elevation create faster moving water and bigger rapids while gentle elevation drops create slower moving water and smaller rapids. 

Constrictions happen when the riverbed or walls narrow and force the water into a smaller channel. This pressure into a smaller space makes the water speed up and flow more rapidly.

Obstructions are anything that changes the smooth flow of the river. Most often obstructions take the form of rocks on the riverbed and boulders either in the middle of the river or touching the shore; however, logs and branches are also common obstructions. Submerged rocks in the water flow can cause constrictions, waves, and current patterns. Semi-submerged boulders can cause pour-overs, waves, and holes. Dry rocks or boulders sticking out of the water, can cause pillows, where the water piles up around the rock before moving around, and eddies, where the water doubles back and flows upstream to fill the space behind the rock. Depending on the flow of the river, eddies can be calm areas to rest or swirling and filled with boils and whirlpools. 

Flow rate of the water typically does not create rapids by itself, but when combined with other features it can significantly change the rapids present. Faster water generally creates bigger features and harder rapids. The flow rate of rivers can change with water releases on dam-controlled rivers and seasonally with snow melts. 

Classification Systems

Whitewater rapids are categorized by the International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD) which creates a framework for understanding how difficult the rapids are. The Scale ranges from Class I to Class VI with VI being the most difficult rapids. The ISRD was originally created by the American Whitewater Association to evaluate rivers throughout the world. There are only six classes, which is not a lot for all the rapids in the world. Therefore, there can be a lot of variation within each level. For example, a ‘easy’ class III rapid will look much different than a ‘hard’ class III. The class system can be very helpful in deciding what river to run; however, it should not be the only thing that you look at. If you plan on rafting or kayaking with an outfitter, you can always check with them for their recommendations and some specific information. 

General Classifications

Class I

The first class includes moving flat water and small riffles or waves. There are few obstructions in the river, and they can be missed or moved around by paddlers with little experience or training. In Class I whitewater, self-rescues are relatively easy. While there always risks when interacting with any type of whitewater, the Class I risks are not as extreme as higher classes. 

Class II

The second class is designated as novice. These rapids are straightforward with wide and clear channels. Class II rapids are generally evident without scouting by less-experienced paddlers. Maneuvering through the rapid might be required occasionally. Class II rapids will have rocks or other obstructions and waves 2-3 feet tall. The upper end of Class II whitewater difficulty is designated Class II+

Class III

Class III is determined to be intermediate whitewater. The rapids can have moderate, irregular waves which can be difficult to avoid and could flood an open canoe or raft. Fast current and waves 3-6 feet in height are expected. Larger waves, ledges, and obstacles can be present but are easily avoided. In large volume rivers there can be strong eddies and powerful currents. Class III rapids often require good boat control and river running experience. Self-rescues are relatively easy and risks to swimmers are lower, but assistance from others might be necessary to avoid long swim times. Scouting these rapids is advised, especially for less experienced boaters. The lower end of Class III is designated as III- and the upper end as III+. 

Class IV

The fourth classification of whitewater is considered advanced. These rapids are generally longer, steeper, and have obstructions that require skills and experience to navigate safely. There can be intense, powerful but predictable features that require precise boat handling in turbulent water. Some rivers may have large and unavoidable waves and holes or small passages that demand fast moves under pressure, quick decision making, and whitewater knowledge and experience. Many Class IV rapids require “must-make” moves to avoid dangerous obstacles and navigate the river successfully. Scouting may be necessary for all experience levels, especially the first time down. There is a much higher injury risk for swimmers than lower classes, and water conditions and obstacles could make a self-rescue difficult. Assistance from others is often necessary to avoid injury and long swim times. A strong roll is highly recommended for kayakers. Class IV- is used to designate the lower end of the difficulty range and Class IV+ for the upper end. 

Class V

Class V rapids are considered expert level and require extensive experience, practiced skills, and specialized equipment. These rapids are generally long, have extreme obstructions, and/or are very violent. They can feature large and unavoidable waves and holes, steep and congested chutes, and complex and demanding routes. They can also continue for long distances that demand a high level of fitness. Eddies, when present, are often small, turbulent, and difficult to reach. Scouting is highly recommended but can be difficult. Swims are very dangerous, and rescues are difficult, even for experts. 

There is a large range of difficulties that exist beyond Class IV; therefore, Class V has an open-ended, multiple level scale to reflect those ranges. Each Class V rapid can be further designated into a sub-class 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, etc. Each of these sub classes is a step up from the previous one, so going from a class 5.1 to a class 5.2 would be a similar step up as going from a Class III to a Class IV.

Class VI

The sixth classification is not as widely applied as the other classes as it is used for extreme and exploratory rapids. Class VI rapids are rarely attempted and showcase the extreme difficulty, unpredictability, and danger of whitewater. Rescues are next to impossible, and the consequences of errors are severe. At favorable water levels and after close inspection, planning, and taking precautions, teams of experts occasionally attempt these rapids. After the rapid has been run many times, it may be changed to a class 5.x rating.