California Whitewater Classification System
The whitewater rafting classification system used in California is the same used in most of the country and around the world, with few exceptions. Rapids are rated on a scale from I to VI, with I being the least dangerous, to VI being the most likely to cause harm. Most rivers contain a combination of at least a couple classes of rapids, but the overall class rating of any given river is determined by the highest-class rapid or rapids found on that river.
These tend to be on a lazy gentle part of the river with swift-moving water in an unobstructed riverway, often referred to as a riffle. On the South Fork of the American River, riffles are often un-named, but on other rivers with longer navigational histories, they are often named.
It is usually very easy to navigate a class I rapid with little training. At River Runners we often let guests swim through class I rapids but still treat the rapid with caution. Your guide may tell you to swim away from certain features like a tree branch in the water that could pose a danger to you. A class I rapid is generally easy to swim in with a life jacket on.
Class II Rapids
Barking Dog on the South Fork of the American River is a class II rapid. Class II Rapids are a great place to play and surf a raft or kayak. There is swift-moving water often with some sort of feature like a rock to avoid or a simple chute to descend. Navigating class II rapids with ease requires some experience but can be accomplished by novice paddlers often with some harmless bumping and bouncing.
The waves in class II rapids can be of a remarkably fun size and can definitely capsize a kayak or canoe. At River Runners, we facilitate swimming some class II features for guests who want more of a thrill. These swimming rapids are generally straightforward waves that require little maneuvering to swim.
Class II rapids are playful unless of course there is some sort of temporary obstruction like a tree that poses a danger, in which case swimming is not advised.
Class III Rapids
At River Runners, we consider class III Rapids to be class fun, but we treat them more seriously than class II rapids as the potential for involuntary swimming is higher. Class III rapids require training to navigate. Some class III rapids are trickier to navigate than others, like Meatgrinder on the South Fork of the American River.
Class III rapids have bigger waves and bigger features than class II rapids. There are usually fewer paths a guide can take through a class III rapid because of obstructions in the river. Falling out of the boat in a class III rapid is not unusual so if you do fall out don't be scared! The bark of a class III rapid is often worse than its bite.
Rescue is relatively easy and injury in class III rapids is rare. Some guides even swim them for fun – though we don't recommend you do on purpose!
Before every class III trip you will be given a safety orientation so that you understand what you need to do to avoid falling out of a boat and what you need to do if you do fall out of a boat. River Runners guides love taking guests on the South Fork of the American because it is so playful. It is easy to step up the thrill for people looking for a wild and exciting adventure and to tone it down a bit for the more mellow or nervous crew.
Class IV Rapids
Class IV Rapids may put you a little on edge, especially if you get out to scout so the guides can see the line is clear and get you all pumped up for the descent like at Tunnel Chute on the Middle Fork of the American River. There you are, standing on the safe end of a rapid, and then you find yourself walking back to your boat wondering what you got yourself into – but it's worth it!
Class IV rapids are still fun but it is a much more serious sort of fun. You may find yourself holding your breath or being out of breath after paddling so hard like you have to on the Kaweah River.
Class IV rapids are usually created by a constriction in the river, gradient and/or a feature like a big rock the water pours over or around. Skilled and experienced guiding is needed in order to successfully navigate class IV rapids.
With the right guide (at River Runners we only put you with the right guide) you will make it down with a rush and wonder how the boat made it through such a tight spot! Even with the right guide though, it is still normal to fall out of the raft sometimes. Before your trip we will give you an orientation about what to do if this happens, you may be required to swim and participate in your own rescue.
Class V Rapids
Class V, oh class V! People say it's fun. And yes, it is fun, but often in a type-2 way. Sometimes a rapid gets a class V rating not because it is difficult to navigate but because it is really dangerous for a human body to be in there – like Fist Rock on the Russell Fork in Kentucky/Virginia.
Sometimes a rapid gets a class V rating because it is really difficult to navigate but not particularly dangerous like Charlie's Choice on the Upper Youghiogheny in Maryland. Often, self-rescue is really difficult in a class V or on a solid class V run where the river is moving from one rapid to another really consistently. Assisted rescue can also be difficult and/or impossible.
Class VI Rapids
Class VI rapids are considered commercially “unnavigable” due to the risk of serious injury or death if something were to go wrong.
There are some rapids out there that were historically thought to be un-raftable (Class VI), but now with evolved skills and equipment, some brave individuals have rafted them or kayaked them and “downgraded” those rapids to class V.
Take Ruck-a-Chucky Falls on the Middle Fork of the American for example – Twenty years ago, the falls were considered totally un-runnable, so rafters emptied their rafts of guests in a safe pool above the falls, and the guests helped the guides carry the rafts around the waterfall.
Now the guests still get out above the falls, but the guides often then take the raft over the falls by themselves in what is called an R1 configuration. Thus, this rapid is considered technically run-able, but taking a boatload of paddlers over the falls would be far too dangerous, and so it remains a class VI rapid.
Class III Trips
South Fork Gorge Full Day
This is California whitewater rafting at its best! Meet us at our camp in the morning and depart from there. Enjoy the whole day on the river rafting, swimming, playing, relaxing, and passing quality time with your friends and family. This trip starts with the easy stuff, offers a deli lunch in the middle of the trip, and finishes with all the exciting rapids exactly when you are ready for them. It's perfect for most ages and adventure levels.
South Fork Chili Bar Full Day
Another California whitewater classic! Meet us at our camp in the morning and take a bus to the river put in. Dive deep into a forested canyon. Enjoy the scenery while your guides safely lead you through class II/III rapids. Take the opportunity to jump off a rock and swim a rapid, or skip a rock and pick blackberries. This trip starts with the exciting stuff and ends with a relaxing float and a BBQ lunch.
South Fork Two-Day Trip
Relax, unwind, and unplug with River Runners' premier two-day whitewater rafting retreat on the South Fork of the American River. Let us do the work while you enjoy camping and each other's company. We set up your tents and cook for you. Wander around Camp Lotus and chill by the river. Pick some blackberries or enjoy a drink. Experience both the Gorge and the Chili Bar sections of the river. Appropriate for most ages and adventure levels.
South Fork Gorge Express
Not ready to commit to a full-day whitewater rafting trip or an early morning adventure? Meet us in the late morning. Bring a bagged lunch or something to eat while you get ready for your trip. Launch after noon and finish in the late afternoon. Enjoy 12 miles of river and rapids including Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar.
South Fork Chili Bar Express
Looking for our shortest river rafting trip? Looking for a budget whitewater adventure? This trip is for you. Meet us in the morning and finish in the early afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and eat it after the trip in Camp Lotus, or try one of the local restaurants. Enjoy 9 miles of river and rapids including Meatgrinder and Troublemaker.
Class IV Trips
Middle Fork Full Day Trip
A stunning and thrilling full-day Class IV whitewater rafting experience. It is a perfect marriage of adrenaline, scenery, and togetherness.
North Fork Full Day Trip
The North Fork of the American Full Day whitewater rafting run is a full-day rafting trip on a stunning undammed Chamberlain section of the river.
Kaweah Full Day
Nestled close to Southern California is the steepest river in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Cold clear water sweeps the adventurous paddler out toward California’s Central Valley. Look over your shoulder and you will see 13,000-foot peaks covered in snow and giant Sequoia trees. Look downstream and you will see lots of whitewater. There is never a dull moment on the Kaweah.