Whitewater rafting is fun and adventurous but if you don’t have the right whitewater rafting supplies it can make your journey a lot more complicated and tiring. I know from experience that whitewater rafting is suppose to be a lot of work and it is suppose to be a lot of fun but if you don’t have the right whitewater rafting supplies it can also become dangerous. Whitewater rafting supplies come in many different forms and many different brands and it is up to you to choose which ones you need for safety and which ones you will need for comfort.
This list of five essential whitewater rafting supplies is what my husband and I have when we hit the rivers during the summer time and what many of our friends use.
Large Rope Bag
This is one of the most essential whitewater rafting supplies that you could buy besides a life jacket. A rope bag holds your rope for an event such as someone going overboard. This large rope bag is put out by River Connection and is 18 inches tall and 35 inches round, has a strong PVC coated polyester mesh, holds 200 feet length of ¾ rescue rope plus rescue hardware, there is a drawstring closure at top, and the bottom of the bag has a hole with a brass grommet. The rope bag cost approximately $15.95. The rope bag is easy to carry and it will help you to keep your rope near you.
Barnacle Glove-Half Finger
The Barnacle Glove-half finger comes in handy to keep you from getting blisters on your hands and to grip things more easily. The cost of this item is around $26.95 and it is 2mm perforated neoprene with spandex 4-way stretch fabric, it has open finger tips to create a great combination of grip and feel, there are barnacle pads on the palm to give it added durability and protection with silicone tactile for better grip, and it also has an adjustable hook and loop fastener to give a tighter wrist closure. The Barnacle Glove-half finger also comes in different sizes. This whitewater rafting supply has saved my hands many times and it has also helped me to keep my grip while climbing up rocks after my whitewater rafting experience.
Rescue Z drag instructions
You may not think that one of you might need to be rescued but you never know. Everyone should have some type of manual that they read each time they go whitewater rafting and should always keep this with their whitewater rafting supplies. These manuals show what to do and how to do it in the event that someone wraps their boat or if someone goes overboard. The manual says that it is no substitute for proper training but this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn a thing or two from it. The manual is only $6.50 which is well worth paying for in my opinion.
Topo SS Crew by Sierra Designs
I have to say that my husband was very impressed with this product. This product is one of Sierra Designs most popular items, it actually looks good and doesn’t seem to cling like other crew shirts, the wicking finish keeps you from wetting out and it comes in six colors, it also has a antimicrobial treatment and it wears great on the river while you are whitewater rafting. These Topo ss crews are only $25 and they are an excellent addition to your whitewater rafting supplies.
Carry handle
Every whitewater rafter should have one of these in their whitewater rafting supplies. This carry handle makes it easier for you to carry the raft over rocks and other hard places. This tool came in handy since I know how hard it is to lift the raft up especially after you have been whitewater rafting all day and your arms feel like jello. This carry handle allows the hook to be closer to the handle which makes carrying the raft much easier. These carrying handles are only $6.95 which is worth the price that you will pay for your arms not suffering.
Whitewater rafting supplies should include all of your safety materials such as rope and some luxury items as well such as the carry handle that is listed above. While you are whitewater rafting you are going to want to make the trip as much fun as possible without weighing yourself down with all the extra work. Have fun with it and be sure to try out these great whitewater rafting supplies.
