Have you ever wondered why white water rafting trips are often referred to as "Class II" or "Class III"? Classifying white water rapids is somewhat subjective, and you will find that one person may classify a certain white water rafting run differently from another. There are, however, some general guidelines that are followed in order to classify the severity of a rapid.

Three main things will define rapid classification.
1- Water Volume
2- Water Temperature
3- Remoteness
These mixed with rocks and length of rapid are used to define "class".
White water rafting levels are classified in accordance with international standards. Level one is the easiest, while level six is usually only attempted by extreme white water rafters.

White Water Rafting Difficulty Ratings

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained white water rafters.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast white water and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense and powerful, yet predictable white water rapids, requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose paddlers to added risk. White water rafting in “Class V” rivers is only recommended for expert rafters. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is recommended but may be difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is often difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential.

Class VI: Extreme and Exploratory. Rafting these white water runs has almost never been attempted and often exemplifies the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. White water rafting “Class VI” rapids is not for the faint of heart, the consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible.

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