You are ready to get to the river and surf some waves in your whitewater adventure. It is exciting and refreshing to be able to make it to the water. However, what should you take with you to the river? How long will you plan to be in the water? All of these questions you will need to take into consideration.
It is always best to have a plan in place so that you are not planning to fail. No one likes unplanned surprises, generally speaking. It is best to locate a map and determine where the put in is and the take out is located. It is also nice to know about how long you plan to be on the water. Should you plan for lunch half way down the trip or will it be a short couple hour trip? Will you be camping halfway through the adventure? All of which is best to know before going on the water.
Before you take your whitewater adventure down the water in your canoe or kayak, please let your friends and family know where you are going so they will be able to send a search party for you if need be. Hopefully, that will not be a needed, but air on the safe side just in case. Also, from experience, take your first aid kit. One would not believe how easy it is to cut your foot or scrap your hand on a sharp rock. I have seen that happen more than once in the rivers.