White Water Rafting Terminology

Terminology

Bow - Front of the Raft boat
Carabiner - A clip, used to secure items into the boat, and to support rescue systems
Current - Moving water
Eddie - Water flowing upstream behind a rock or a safe place to get out of the current
Ferry - To cross/sail the current or river without moving downstream
Flip - Turning of boat upside down by a wave, by a rock, or by other reason
Gradient - The "steepness" of a river, measured in feet of elevation loss per mile
Guide - The 9th person who steers the boat down the river and gives paddle commands to the crew
High Water - Where river current get faster, above an expected average. In this condition, some rapids get easier and some become more difficult
Hole - Where water flowing over a rock or other obstacles and flows down heavily to create an eruption of whitewater
Laterals - A wave peeling off an obstacle at an angle
Life Jacket - A personal floatation device, coast guard approved, and worn like a vest
Low Water - Where river current get slower, below an expected average. More rocks and obstacles may show, rapids become more technical
Oar - Oar is a long blade, attached to the boat by an oarlock. Used to steer or row the boat
Paddle - A paddle held in the hands, not attached to the boat, used to steer or row the boat
Paddle Boat - A raft boat with a crew of paddlers and an instructor
Rapid - Water flowing through a shallower, constricted, or steeper section forms a whitewater rapid
Run - A section/portion of river that can be boated
Scout - The process of judging the rapid before running it
Stern - The rear part of the raft boat
Strainer - An opening or openings on the floor of raft boat, where water can flow through, which usually formed by the trees on the river banks or by the sharp rocks just below the surface of water. One of the most dangerous river features
Swimmer - A person who has fallen out of the raft boat during rafting over the big rapids
Take-Out - River access where a trip ends
Trip Leader - An instructor designated to see the smooth running of the expedition
Wet Suit - A neoprene rubber suit which allows a small amount of water in, to help retain body heat
Wrap - Sticking of boat to a rock or other object by the force of the water current