Rapid action: Rafters try to breast the waves

So you?ve been thinking for the thousandth time of taking that river-rafting trip that?s been beckoning to you for ever. But you?ve been putting it off for just as long, fearing that a rough tumble down a rapid might not be what?s best for you. The news is, you needn?t worry. Most rafting companies employ experienced and professional guides and all necessary equipment for trips that vary from half-day to multi-day. But before you embark on the trip, here are a few things you should bone up on:

What to take, and how

• Bring a change of clothes. A warm-up jacket is also a good idea. Wear well-fitting shoes or diving booties. Jewellery which cannot be secured firmly should not be worn while rafting. Those wearing glasses are reminded to use an elastic sports-holder to anchor their spectacles. Contact lens users are advised to wear spectacles instead, in order to cut down on the risk of their lenses getting contaminated by river water.

• Carry dry bags or boxes to secure small personal items you may bring with you and leave a little room to accommodate an extra layer of clothing. Avoid taking your car keys, wallets, cellphones etc. with you when you?re on the water. Also take along sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap to secure them and a camera.

• Appropriate rafting gear on most rivers during the summertime is a simple swimsuit, nylon shorts, tennis shoes or sandals, and a hat. Be sure to dress in layers so that you can easily add or remove articles, as you need. Avoid cotton clothing while rafting, except in summers, as cotton takes away the warmth from your body. Wool, polyester fleece and other synthetic materials will keep you warmer and will dry faster. Tour operators usually provide everything you need, including wetsuits, lifejackets, paddles and rafts.

Speak the language

Water class (Class I-VI): An international scale of difficulty for rating rapids, with I being the easiest and VI being technically unrunnable. Choose a river that matches your abilities and personal fun/fear threshold. Class I and II rapids are mild, suitable for young kids and those seeking a pleasant outing rather than an adrenaline rush. Class III requires adroit manoeuvring and will probably get you wet, but presents no real danger. Class IV rapids are intense and powerful, demanding quick and accurate manoeuvres to avoid dangerous hazards. Class V rapids are for experts only, demanding the highest skill levels and best equipment.

The best routes

Bhagirathi : The lower Bhagirathi gorge (mostly classes III and IV) has rapids with names like ?Elephant rock?, ?The Chute?, ?Sharp S?, ?Confluence rapids? and many more.

Indus: The views are breathtaking which take one through the canyons in the Ladakh ranges with various monasteries or gompas along the river bank. The icy cold and clear river have rapids generally of I and II classes and at some places, has class III rapids.

Teesta: For those living in eastern India, the river Teesta of Sikkim extends the most challenging invitation. Teesta provides a series of white-water rapids with various intensities at regular intervals.

Ganges: The whitewater river-rafting stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36 km long, most of which are easily negotiable and some require expertise.

Zanskar: The most difficult and exciting whitewater-rafting option is on the Zanskar river, along its spectacular course through the gorge in the Zanskar mountains, between Padum and Nimo regions. This river course is suitable only for well-organised whitewater expeditions.