Whitewater rafting is a perfect way to combine a love for the outdoors and the rushing thrill of taking on nature's elements. There is nothing quite like driving through a rushing whorl of water, having it spray up in your face, bouncing up and down in your seat feeling as though you are only moments away from disaster. Best of all, whitewater rafting is one of the safest adventure sports there is, with national safety standards followed by every major outfitter in North America.

Every state and province in North America offers several whitewater rafting experiences on various river routes. Beginners can try out smaller rapids, in the Class I-III range, while thrill seekers can try out rapids classified IV and V. If you are an ultra adventure seeker, however, you might be out of luck. North America does have a few of the most dangerous Class VI rapids, but they are seldom used by even the most hardy rafting enthusiasts and no outfitters offer tours on them. If you are truly looking to defy death, there are several other locations in the world that do offer incredibly hazardous raft rides. Africa, for example, offers several tours of Class VI rivers, where the adrenaline junky must not only contend with deadly rapids but also wildlife hazards such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses even in the ?safer? areas.

For those who wish to enjoy a safe, domestic rafting experience, there are many options for duration of rafting trips and costs. The well established and used whitewater rafting outfitters all employ highly trained guides and high quality equipment, both personal safety equipment and rafting equipment. The guides know their routes and rapids like they know their houses, and can be counted on to guide you along your tour safely and are reliable in an emergency, should one come up.

There are standard items that the person who decides to try a whitewater rafting experience must remember, however. Proper shoes must be worn to the site. These shoes must fit well and be able to get wet and dry quickly. Whitewater rafters should also keep in mind the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, and bring along sun glasses and sunscreen. More often than not, these items will be available at the outfitter's store should you forget, but they will be quite a bit more pricy than if you had remembered them yourself.

Whitewater rafting is a perfect way to satisfy your inner thrill seeker and get you in touch with areas of nature that might otherwise be inaccessible. If you are on a family vacation, however, remember to call ahead to the outfitter and find out the recommended age limits for their tours. Whitewater rafting is usually not recommended for children under eight years of age.