Swept Away!

I nearly got swept away down the river rapids last weekend. It was scary yet strangely, I did not find it in me to panic. In fact, I was strangely calm as I struggled to stop myself from floating away with the river current. This is my story.

I went whitewater rafting over the weekend and it was, in a word, AWESOME!

I’m not usually the outdoorsy type, but I thought to make an exception this time when I received an invitation to go on a whitewater rafting trip. It was at Sg. Kampar in Perak and involved me getting up before the crack of dawn.

Aside: It just struck me why they call it the “crack of dawn”. While waiting for the bus to pick us up, I was watching the dark morning sky slowly lighten and without warning, it was light. Just like someone switched the lights on. If there was a sound, it would have sounded very much like a crack.

As I said previously, I did not know what to expect from my first time. Simple American told me to expect to get wet. SA, you don’t know how true your words rang. I got wet. Very very wet.

The experience started with us putting on our lifejackets and helmets. We were told to make sure our life jackets were buckled up tight. To demonstrate, the guide proceeded to tug on my straps, expelling all the air from my lungs. That is probably how it feels to wear a corset – you can’t breathe. Then, the helmet is jammed tight on your head. Nothing must be loose, we were told, because if you were to fall in the water, you’d be hauled up by your jacket.

Then, a briefing followed about what to do in the water if we were to fall in. There is a swimming position called the “Whitewater swimming position” which involves you lying flat on your back, with your legs together and knees bent. It’s a lot harder than it looks on land.

We were dunked into the icy cold river water and made to “whitewater swim” to our rubber dinghys where the rest of the guides were waiting. If you’ve ever tried to swim across a river current, you’d know just how hard that is to fight the river current.

After all the requisite briefings, a paddle was put into our hands, we were put into groups of 4 with a guide and the adventure began.

I’ve never paddled a boat (usually I sit back while others do the hard work ) but this time, I had to paddle - hard. The river current was very strong so paddling the dinghy was hard work. It did not help that one of the rowers on the other side was not pulling their weight, so our dinghy had a tendency to go in circles and our guide had a tough time keeping our course steady. After 2 days, my arms are still aching from the strain.

Riding the rapids was fun. Way better than riding a roller coaster and by now, everyone knows I’m an adrenalin junkie. So, when we were given the option of taking the “chicken run” or the “double dip”, guess which we went for? There were a few times when I came thisclose to being thrown out of the dinghy so when you are told to hold on, that’s exactly what you do - hold on … tight. The rapids were awesome. I got drenched at every rapid and at one or two, my vision was temporarily blurred by water splashed into my face.

During the calm stretches of the river, I was amazed at the scenery. There were mountains alongside with lush green trees. The river was fast and cold and for a city slicker who doesn’t get close to nature much, it was pretty cool.

Then, halfway through, we were deliberately tipped into the water in a mock capsize. Even though knowing it was deliberate, I could not help a moment of panic as we went over the side. The shock of the cold river water hitting you and sinking into the river can be scary but having a life jacket and being able to swim helped.

At the end, we were given the option to get into the water and “whitewater swim” across the little rapid to where the jetty was. This was where the problem started. I got into the water and turned on my back and was immediately swept away by the river, going over the rapids and the rocks.

However, I failed to turn over and swim to shore in time, and found myself being carried away further and faster. I could hear my sis and the other members of the group calling to me to swim, but I could not turn my body over as the river was too shallow. Then, I heard the guides shouting at me to stand up. Easier said than done! But I somehow managed to get myself into an upright position and lock my legs against the current rushing against my legs.

The rescue rope was thrown over to me, and I gripped it tightly to be towed back to shore. A little bit of drama to end an otherwise safe and fun trip.

For anyone going whitewater rafting, I have some tips:

• Pay attention to instructions. It might save your life as it did mine.
• Wear a bikini or 2 piece swimsuit under your clothes. It makes it easier to move around in and when you need the toilet.
• Don’t wear too loose fitting clothes. When your clothes balloon around you, it might obscure your vision.
• Wear sandals. Its easier to get a grip, and not as heavy as shoes, unless its those swanky shoes divers or beach people use, which are light and fit close to your feet.
• Pull your weight in the boat. Your team members and guide will thank you for not causing the boat to list and go round in circles. It will also be more fun.

I’m raring to go on my next whitewater rafting trip. Is anyone organizing one? I promise I won’t get swept away again.

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