Class III & IV rapids

Many people always ask what the rapids are like in Costa Rica. Well the level of rapids is based on a 1- 6 rating. The level 1 is the simpliest and the level 6 is the more advanced. Another question is what type of rapids are in Costa Rica. Well if you don’t know and you want to, then read on.

Costa Rica is considered to have lots of rain and lots of rivers. This is also a very volcanic area and with all this combined it has formed technical rapids. A technical rapid could mean a narrow river with large rocks in your way that you have to row around. This is compared to other rivers that we call big water where the water level is very deep, the river is wide, and all you do is just row straight through and hold on.

Take a look at the rating system of rafting in non-expert terms to see if it helps you understand:

Class I ----------------------- A swimming pool with a current.

Class II ---------------------- Swimming pool with a current and your fat uncle does a canon ball in the pool. Little waves last for a few moments and then back to calm current.

Class III --------------------- The current speed picks up and the guide has to be looking for a line of where you will need to take the boat. This line has to be followed to assure nobody takes  a swim before they want to. You can see the start of the rapid and the end of the rapid.

Class IV ---------------------- This is the highest level for commercial rafting in Costa Rica. When you approach this rapid you can see the start of it but because of its quick drop, but you cannot see the end. You must be with a guide who has seen this rapid before, if not then you must stop to scout the rapid and see which line you will take.

Class V ----------------------- This level is only for a raft full of guides or very experienced kayakers. There is very little room for mistakes and the guides must work together making split second decisions on changing angles of raft. The drops can be very intense with hydraulic holes and chance of injury or death is possible.

Class VI ----------------------- This is only for kayakers because they are usually very technical. Two things can happen on a class VI you either die or become famous. GOOD LUCK!!!