Navigating rivers and oceans by boat is an ancient practise that goes back many thousands of years, before the times of modern roads and bridges, allowing those on foot to travel to their destination across try land. In these times rafts were used to cross rivers and lakes to carry food and other suppliers for trade.
White Water Rafting’s American Roots
White water rafting as we know it today can be traced back to the early 19th century where the first ever recorded attempt to navigate the “Mad River” or Snake River in Wyoming was planned. Unfortunately for our ancestors, these rafts would likely have been made of wood and rope, not like our lovely inflatable rafts we use today.
The River was considered so wild and dangerous, these ancient rafters did not have the experience or equipment to complete the journey, and it wasn’t until 1940 that Clyde Smith managed to lead a successful trip through the even daunting Snake River Canyon.
In 1842, a raft that may have a very early resemblance to todays inflatable rafts was conceived by Lieutenant John Fremont and inventor Horace H. Day, who created a rubber raft from four rubber cloth tubes and a wrap-around floor that they then used to survey the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains areas.
Commercial White Water Rafting
The first recorded commercial white water rafting trip took place in 1940, where a group used an ex-military raft to venture down the Salmon River in Idaho. At the end of World War II, surplus rafts became readily available all over the United States and trips down their many now famous rivers began.
These early military rafts were soon replaced in the coming decades by more modern, inflatable rafts and rafting equipment with an increased need for safety equipment becoming more prevalent as we move into the 70s and 80s.
White Water Rafting in the Olympics
Attention was brought to the sport of white water rafting when a Kayak/Canoe Slalom event was included in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Interestingly, the majority of medals in this event were won by East and West Germany, between whom there was still a great division with each trying to assert its own ideological model.
The West German team believed they held the advantage with the event taking place on their native Eiskanal in Augsburg. But not one to be out-smarted, the East German National Federation of Canoeing sent in their National Coach to pose as a representative of the International Canoeing Federation. Here he reproduced the plans of the Eiskanal, which were then reconstructed on East German land, meaning both teams could practise on the exact event route ahead of the Olympic Games!
All that hard work paid off, with East Germany winning four gold medals and one bronze, and West Germany only winning three silver medals and one bronze.
Image Provided by: https://www.canoeicf.com/news/medalists-1972-return-venue-where-history-was-made
White Water Rafting Today
Modern commercial rafts we use today have been improved exponentially compared to the wooden creations and ex-military makeshifts of our ancestors. Todays rafts are usually made of one of three materials: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (also called urethane) and Hypalon. Most commercial rafting companies use Hypalon rafts as the material tends to roll easier and get less holes worn in them while being transported rolled up, plus they also tend to have a longer lifespan.
Commercial white water rafting is now heavily regulated, with the safety of our visitors being absolutely paramount to every trip, and every route being adequately risk assessed and experienced by our guides before letting you out onto the water.
White water rafting is an awesome adventure that has truly stood the test of time. So take the plunge and travel as our ancestors once did, albeit a lot safer and an awful lot more comfortably!
Nae Limits White Water Rafting
To check availability for your next adventure, visit our online booking system and choose from our range of upcoming activities and events.
We can also offer private hire of our rafts and exclusive trips for just you and your family or group. If you would like to make a request please get in touch via our Enquiry Form or by calling us on 01796 482600
