WHITE WATER KAYAKING WITH CHILLIWACK RIVER RAFTING

Chilliwack, British Columbia
By Susie Lee

The whitewater rapids of the Chilliwack River are guaranteed to send a rush of adrenaline through your body as you weave through fourteen miles of rugged terrain! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddler, Chilliwack River Rafting which offers kayaking and rafting adventures will guide you down one of the most fun and most challenging runs in British Columbia.

ORIENTATION

In 1983, Russ Brown established British Columbia's first whitewater rafting resort, Chilliwack River Rafting. This resort is set in the quiet wilderness, with a stunning view of the Cascade Mountains along the Chilliwack River.

A group of us started our orientation at the riverside with our paddles and inflatable kayaks. Our guide explained rescue methods, kayaking techniques and warned us of river hazards. He also gave us an overview of the difficulty levels along the river. The first part of the river would be classified as easy (Class 2) and would progressively become more challenging (Class 3) near the end of our trip. According to our guide, Class 1 would be like the water in your bathtub and Class 6 would be like Niagra Falls.

I remember feeling intimidated after listening to the orientation and was uncertain if I was prepared to do this. Once I got into my kayak, all my doubts were washed away because one of the things I love in life is being in the water. It was a beautiful day and the water glistened with life. The soothing sound of the river relaxed my whole body. I was already looking forward to being in the water for the next three to four hours.

DRIFTING ALONG

Our group members practiced our strokes and got comfortable in the shallow waters of the wide river. We encountered travelers from different places along the way. Throughout the day our guide stopped every so often for us to re-group. While we were still in calm waters he taught us how to get back into our kayaks in case we capsized into the water. So we gathered in a deep cove and I had the fun of demonstrating how to get back into my kayak if I capsized. I realized then that it was almost impossible to flip this inflatable kayak. With the help of my fellow kayakers I finally managed to flip into the water. Now it was everyone else's turn to practice. Shortly after that we took a break from paddling and went cliff jumping into the river. The cold water felt so refreshing.

HOME STRETCH

On the last stretch of our run, the waves were bigger, the drops were steeper and the turns were tighter. Our guide warned us that we were coming up to a challenging section of the Chilliwack River, called Tamihi Rapids. In the native language, Tamihi means to take your canoe out of the river! Since we were on kayaks instead of canoes, we forged ahead to conquer these rapids.

This section is used as a race course and training site for the Canadian National Whitewater Team. I noticed metal flags strung above the river and I thought they were for grabbing in case you lost control. So I grabbed one for fun as I passed by. But I found out later that it is used to outline the kayak slalom course for the Canadian Kayaking Championships which is held every spring.

One piece of advice I would give is this; do not be intimidated by the white water rapids on this run. You will find yourself very buoyant and secure in your kayak, feeling each bouncy wave. And although it is quite difficult to flip over the inflatable kayak, it still helps to keep your eyes focused in front of you so you can maneuver the kayak through the twists and turns. The only frustrating part I found was when I got stuck on a boulder or in between boulders. I had to wiggle my way out of there and sometimes, I had to step out to push my kayak. But I quickly learned how to anticipate and maneuver around the boulders that came my way.

FINAL THOUGHTS

My favorite part of the adventure was paddling through the advanced Class 3 rapids! I felt exhilarated moving so fast through the whitewater rapids. But at the same time, I found this run tested my strength and skill as I tried to stay afloat while maneuvering around obstacles! I definitely felt the strong underlying current pulling my kayak from the direction I wanted to go. This part of the river was action packed with unpredictable drops, surfing waves, and narrow way outs. With every movement, there was a rushing wave of excitement inside of me. This was the best fourteen kilometers I ever rode in my life! My sincere gratitude to Russ and his staff for safely guiding me through this thrilling adventure filled with beauty, fun and adventure.

FUN FACTS

The Inuit people were the first to use the kayak. The word kayak means "clothing that moves in the water".

ADVENTURE TIPS

• Bring a bathing suit and towel
• Extra warm clothes (fleece, sweater, or jacket)
• Disposable waterproof camera
• Aqua shoes or shoes that can get wet
• No prior kayaking experience necessary
• You must know how to swim

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chilliwack River Rafting
49704 Chilliwack Lake Road
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Toll Free in North America: 1 (800) 410-7238
or call (604) 824-0334
www.chilliwackriverrafting.com

+ Part 1: CHILLIWACK RIVER KAYAKING
+ Part 2: STEVESTON WHALE WATCHING
+ Part 3: GLENN VALLEY STABLES
+ Part 4: GRAHAM SISTERS TRICK RIDING

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ www.chilliwackriverrafting.com