Upper Animas River – Silverton, ColoradoThe Upper Animas River is the most difficult commercially run river in the United States, no big deal… Just kidding, you'll have to take a swim test to be eligible for this one!
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The Grand Canyon stretch of the mighty Colorado River is home to many Class IV to V whitewater rafting class levels.
Whirlpool Rapids Gorge—Niagara River, New YorkThe Niagara Gorge is a deadly section of exploratory rapids. As the water travels through, it reaches about 30 mph, creating the Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids, some of the most extreme in the entire world.
Futaleufu River, ChileA number of river rafting pros and enthusiasts consider it to be one of the most challenging rapids in the world. The white water rafting river is ensconced in the valleys of brooding cliffs. Especially, the Upper Section of the Futaleufu River is navigated by only expert rafters.
While other rivers follow a whitewater rating system of I-V, Grand Canyon rapids are rated on a scale of 1-10. Some of these rapids are extremely difficult to run unless you are a very experienced river runner who has run similar-sized rapids in the past successfully.
Feel the thrill of being at the river's edge! White Water Walk offers a first-hand lesson in the raw power and peril of the Niagara River's Class 6 whitewater rapids, some of the wildest in North America.
The Yellowstone River is classified as Class II-III rapids from Yellowstone National Park to Paradise Valley (the first 18 miles of legally navigable whitewater on the Yellowstone River).
While most people can raft Class 4 rapids for their first time, there are several requirements. The minimum age to raft Class 4 rivers, depending on the river and company, is 12-14 years old. Many Class 4s recommend that you are in good physical condition, on the adventurous side, and know how to swim.
These rapids are often best saved for those who have rafted before, but that doesn't necessarily rule out the first-time adventure-seekers. If you're in great shape and ready for a physical and mental challenge, you may be ready for Class IV rapids rafting trip on your first river expedition.
Grand Canyon rapids are rated on a 1-10 scale. Flat water is 1 while tough rapids like Lava Falls or Crystal can be rated 10 at certain water levels. A 10 rating in the canyon is roughly equivalent to a Class V in the standard river scale.
Great Falls of the Potomac River is a major set of rapids located about 15 miles upstream of Washington, DC. The main Falls lines drop fifty feet in one-tenth of a mile, creating a Class V+ set of waterfalls.
William J.Kendall, a policeman from Boston Mass. swam the Whirlpool Rapids on August 22, 1886. He wore only his swimming trunks and a cork life preserver.
Class IV Rapids - Whitewater with Obstacles and More Technical Skills » Larger waves, narrow passages, and multiple obstacles to avoid requiring precise maneuvering to avoid upset.