White Water Rafting is an extreme outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river. This sport is usually done on white water or different levels of white water to add thrill and excitement to raft passengers.
Read part 1 of this post for more information about Davao’s White Water Rafting.
After a few paddles from the start point, we paused in a calm section of the river to practice what our guides demonstrated earlier.
First off was defensive swimming where you lie on your back, feet downstream and float along the flow of the rapids. Since I don’t know how to swim, I instantly panicked when it was my turn to do this. :P
Next was how to reach out to a team mate in the waters using your paddles. Then, lifting her up back without turning over your raft.
As soon as we got into the water, as instructed, we secured our feet into the strap on the raft’s base and started to paddle. Paddle forward!!
For most of us, this was already our second time since we also tried rafting in Cagayan de Oro but we still feel the same level of excitement like starters. Everyone is laughing out loud and screaming as we battle the rapids on this adrenaline rocking experience.
And we almost capsized!! Yay! Everyone’s laughing so hard after!
The whole journey lasted for around 3 to 4 hours. There were several unique rapids which the Davao locals and the guides already named as “Washing Machine”, “Double Drop”, “Rodeo” and “Drop and Suck”. Every time we triumph over a rapid, our guide will shout “High Five!!” and we all raise our paddles and answer back.
Sometimes the guide shouts early before the actual rapid twist. As we raise our paddles, the raft jiggles into the water and we’re all caught off guard. Haha! It adds spice to the fun!
Look here! Notice how the guides are spinning the raft while we’re all busy with our paddles. Amazing strength!
And then, they shout “High Five” just when the rapid’s gonna suck our raft. Haha!
It may look like scary at first but it’s only a state of mind. Nothing beats the fun and the wonderful experience we got out of here. Given the chance, we’ll do it again, for sure! :)
Thanks to Davao Wildwater Adventure team, especially to our guide who brought us to river shore alive. Wahaha!
Everyone, HIGH FIVE!!!
* Photos and videos were all taken by Davao WWR team.
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