Do I need to be able to swim?

You should be comfortable in water, and you always wear a buoyancy aid. Guides brief you on what to do if you end up in the river.

With a qualified guide, the right kit and a river graded to your group, yes. The guide manages the line and the hazards.

How fit do I need to be?

A basic level of fitness for the paddling. Gentler rivers suit most people, while bigger water asks a bit more.

Swimwear under a wetsuit, which is provided with a helmet and buoyancy aid. Old trainers that can get wet are ideal.

How are rivers graded?

From grade 1, gentle moving water, up to grade 5, serious white water. Trips are matched to your experience, and beginners start low.

It happens, and guides train you for it. You float on your back, feet downstream, and the crew gets you back in quickly.

Rafting in Ocho Rios

White water rafting is a team sport disguised as a soaking. You and a crew pile into an inflatable raft, a guide barks the commands, and together you paddle, brace and hang on as the river throws rapids, drops and waves at you. The teamwork is the secret, and the laughing usually starts before the first rapid.

No experience is needed, just a basic level of fitness and a willingness to get wet and cold. The guide steers, calls the moves and keeps the raft the right way up, and rivers are graded so you can pick a gentle float or a proper white-knuckle run.

The operators on adventuro run rafting trips for all levels, with wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids provided. Listen to the guide, paddle when told, and enjoy the ride.