Whitewater Rafting: Rapid Classes Demystified

Class I? Class II? III, IV, V?! What does it all mean?

Rapid ratings don't seem simple, because they really aren't. The American system of whitewater rapid ratings is subjective (for example, a class-V rapid on one river can be totally different from a class-V on another) and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Further complicating things, a rapid's rating DOES NOT vary by water level, even though water-level changes can have DRASTIC effects on the objective difficulty and hazards of a rapid.

Well don't fret! In just a little more than a single minute, we're going to show you a typical example of each rapid rating from West Virginia's New and Gauley Rivers, and explain why it's rated that way. (Just keep that whole water-level thing in mind though, okay?)

[chicklechives]

Class 1 - nothing to worry about
Class 2 - move around the river for comfort not safety
Class 3 - there are things you want to avoid
Class 4 - there is a route you want to take
Class 5 - there is a very specific route you want to take and doing so requires significant skills on the water and reading the water

[dillonjones]

went through some class 5 rapids one time. flipped my raft at the top of 5 or 6 drops. was some of the best fun I've ever had

[robertduenas]

Started with a class 3 for the first time in Costa Rica. Thought I was bad ass and did a class IV a day later. I was super exhausted half way through and couldn’t paddle right the 2nd half lol. Needless to say it was amazing

[BL-ziwb]

Just ran some class 5 rapids this weekend in Alaska, it was my first rafting trip in ten years. Loved every minute of it, even the butt clenching ones!

[gs]

My toxic trait is thinking I can solo kayak class 5 after watching this video.

[callahanbryer]

Still remember running Class III rapids up on the Upper Kennebec River in Maine. Great spot

[mrexists]

highest i've been on was technically a class 4, most of it was class 3 or lower, but there was one part right before a turn that was considered class 4 where there was a whirlpool where a water fall would pour into during a heavy rain. for the life of me i can't remember the name of the river it was on

[ancocephala]

Just did my first class 5 rapid, Clavey Falls on the Tuolemne, at near 3000 cfs
Had a great guide who scouted it thoroughly and it was an absolute blast

[addi.q]

I went with my youth group 2023. It was so fun I loved it!!

[nunzioification]

Yeah I don't remember if the Wenatchee goes through Index but I was on a 2 man inflatable while rapidly deflating in class 4, smashed up shins but what a blast

[Zatoka.]

I'm going on a trip with my troop in a few weeks and we're doing class 3. Super nervous amd excited! I'll update this once I go.

[Raumance]

The more experience I gain the less sense the classifications make.

[Chelsea-]

Going this weekend to West Virginia Gorge to do this. I'm extremely nervous... 😅😅😅

[joshpwnsnoobs]

love me some class 2's. feels safe, but still adventersome.. but that was in my canoe. ive recently got a kayak...class 3's here i come

[SraTacoMal]

Me, not falling out over the course of class –X rapids: "I'm basically a pro."

[Chocolateweasenthal]

Did a class 3-4 for the first time and it’s so fun and not to hard

[nunzioification]

It's a bit unethical but I'd like to see how class 2 kayaks handle class 3 rapids, because the occasional mishap is important to prepare for, I have a kayak with 1 drain in the stern mire for off shore, wonder what'd happen

[cruzloera]

I did level 2 and even that I’ll never do again

[michellebutrick]

Where is the gorge, where is this company, how do I contact them? These are things I needs to know

[TheYarcob]

I love me some class III's, but after that I stay away from it.