Rafting - Extreme Sport

Rafting is a sport where, with the help of experts and protected  with vests and helmets, you descend a river on inflatable rafts.  Your adrenalin flows as  you sit in the raft, not as a passenger, but as a member of the crew with a paddle in your hand and following the shouted instructions by you guide.

You can be as safe as you want as there are international parameters which classify the rivers according to their difficulty based on its rapids, its strength and flow.

They are classified as follows:

I  -  Low level of water, low current pressure and easy to navigate.

II -  Ideal to learn the tecniques.  No special skills required.

III  -  Requires good physical condition though experience is not necessary.

IV  -  River with enough movement to overturn a raft;  you are required to know certain tecnical manouvers.

V  -  For participants with solid experience in rivers category III and IV.

VI  -  Because of the amount and speed of the water, it is almost impossible to navigate safely.  Excellent for competitions.

I´d like to share with you some of the rivers in the State of Veracruz, Mexico:

Filabobos River.-  Near the town of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz and is one of the big favorites.  4 hours from Mexico City it is 25 kms long of whitewater.  It includes visits to the archeological site of  “Cuajilolte”, fertility ceremonial center of the Totonaca culture.  You will see the “El Encanto” waterfall which, because of its beauty, the natives call  The Cathedral of Nature, and within an 80 meters high canyon, you will descend the Bobo River always enjoying the rich flora and fauna characteristic of Veracruz.

One of the most technical rivers, excellent for international competitions, is the Pescados River.  It has 2 1/2 hours descent, depending on the conditions of the river.

Another river worth mentioning is the Barranca Grande, 48 kms. long, with rapids like “the Toothbrush” category III, IV and V.

Actopan River is one of the most beautiful.  Its soft flow takes you through 12 kms. through an oasis of fruit trees and many waterfalls.  It is about 1 hour from the city of Veracruz and it can be navigated on all year long. www.portal.veracruz.gob.mx