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The thought of taking the family out on a thrilling rafting trip may conjure up feelings of apprehension, but there really is no need. As long as you are aware of the required safety precautions and prepare your children ahead of time, your time out on the rapids should be a good one! Safety Measures for Rafting Adventures As with all activity holidays for families, safety is always key. For rafting, you will need a guide to take your family down the river, and it is important to always follow the guide’s instructions, and teach your children to do so as well. The guide will help you feel at ease concerning unwanted scenarios, such as what to do should somebody fall into the water. This is probably the scariest scenario, but not to worry, you will be prepared! Basic swimming skills and being comfortable in and around water are good skills for everyone to have before rafting. You will want to make sure there is one adult for each little one in the boat, to ensure each child is within arms’ reach at all times and can be attended to if needed. As with most water activity holidays for families, each person will need to be equipped with a certified life jacket to keep them safe. Adults and older children will require paddles to help them steer. Prepare the Kids Talk to your kids in the days leading up to the rafting adventure. Give them an idea of what the day is going to be like, what is expected of them, and don’t forget to find out if they have any questions or concerns. Explain the importance of the guide and how listening to instructions will help keep everyone safe and having fun. As far as the packing goes for activity holidays, for families it’s recommended to include comfortable clothing that’s easy to move around in, flip flops or water shoes, a hat to help keep the sun away from the face, sunglasses and a high SPF sunblock for exposed skin, as the sun’s rays will be strongest when reflected off the water. Bring an extra change for each person to be kept back on land, as each rafter is almost guaranteed to get wet. Keep it Fun! Rafting can be a really exciting way to spend activity holidays for families. Remember to keep things fun so your children’s first rafting experience is a good one. Bring along a waterproof camera (or a camera in a waterproof case) to capture special moments during the calmer moments of the ride. Don’t forget to pack light snacks and small water bottles inside waterproof jackets to quench hunger and thirst, as rafting can be both physically and mentally draining. Get prepared for your rafting adventure ahead of time and keep safety rules in mind, for an exhilarating day that will leave precious memories both parents and kids will look back on for years to come! Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted activity holidays for families to exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.
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