Standing Waves - In a river waves are generally stationary and the water moves through the wave along with your boat. These waves are usually found in the center where the current is fastest. For the most fun, we usually hit all the standing waves we can find. Click the pictures for larger view.

Breaking Wave - If these are large enough in relation to your raft, they can stop your forward motion and make your boat slip back into the trough. If it looks big, paddle hard forward to make it over the top.

Pour Over - What looks like a wave might have a rock inside of it with the water pouring over the backside. If you see a little horizon line with a zone of aerated water behind it, it's a pour over. They are usually accompanied by a strong eddy or water moving upstream on the backside.

Hole - A low spot in the river where water pours back upstream to fill it. They usually appear behind pour over rocks & ledges. Move around holes that look strong enough to stop your raft. Some holes can be surfed if you like that kind of excitement; but be ready for a possible swim as they can flip your raft if you get sideways and everybody doesn't highside.

Eddy - A place on the river where the current is moving upstream. These occur behind rocks, along the inside of bends or along shore behind obstructions. They are good resting places for rafts & swimmers. Another feature to recognize is the eddy line; where the upstream current and the downstream rub against each other. The eddy line may act as a fence & be a little hard to cross.

Reversal - A strong upstream backwash, possibly leading back into a hole. Move sideways across the reversal to get out of it.

Wrap Rock - A rock with a strong current pushing into it, having the potential to submerge the upstream tube of you your raft and wrap it around the rock like a wet sock. Everyone must immediately jump to the high side (towards the rock) before the tube goes down. Always practice this with your crew in calm water or they won't be fast enough when it's really needed!

Strainers - Tree branches, roots or rocks with water rushing between. These can ensnare and trap a swimmer under water. Move crosscurrent on the river to move past them if you have time. Assume a breast stroke position and try to climb up & over if you can't avoid it. You are better off swimming further downstream to a better spot that to risk getting stuck in a strainer. All boaters should be warned about strainers at the start of your trip.

River running is a relatively safe sport if everyone knows the rules!