To support my point, here is the AWA Rating scale. Look at how much of it is
subjective, without defining the subject. Terms like 'easy', 'difficult',
'easy to maneuver', 'easily missed', 'fast moving', 'complex'..... what boat
are they talking about? And what boater? Even reference to 'swimmers' leaves
quite a few assumptions to be made. As an open boater, I always am
challenged by the reference to 'waves that can swamp an open canoe'. And as
a rafter, I can hardly imagine doing an eskimo roll...

Read these descriptions, and imagine yourself in a huge raft. Then imagine
yourself as a novice in a squirt boat. The descriptions won't fit the same
river on the same day.

The Six Difficulty Classes
Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few
obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to
swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are
evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks
and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are
seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. Rapids
that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class
II+".

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be
difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in
fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are
often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily
avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found,
particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced
parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but
group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. Rapids that are at the
lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class III-" or
"Class III+" respectively.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring
precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the
river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted
passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn
may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may
require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the
first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water
conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is
often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong Eskimo roll is
highly recommended. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this
difficulty range are designated "Class IV-" or "Class IV+" respectively.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which
expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large,
unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex,
demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools,
demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small,
turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of
these factors may be combined. Scouting is recommended but may be difficult.
Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very
reliable Eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced
rescue skills are essential. . . Because of the large range of difficulty
that exists beyond Class V, Class 5 is an open ended, multiple level scale
designated by Class 5.0, 5.1, 5.2 etc. . . Each of these levels in and order
of magnitude more difficult that the last. Example: increasing difficulty
from Class 5.0 to Class 5.1 is a similar order of magnitude as increasing
from Class IV to Class 5.0.

Class VI: Extreme and Exploratory. . . These runs have almost never been
attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability
and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be
impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after
close personal inspection and taking all precautions. After a Class VI
rapids has been run many times, its rating may be changed to an appropriate
Class 5.x rating.

"riverman" wrote in message
...
To support my point, here is the AWA Rating scale. Look at how much of it
is subjective, without defining the subject. Terms like 'easy',
'difficult', 'easy to maneuver', 'easily missed', 'fast moving',
'complex'..... what boat are they talking about? And what boater? Even
reference to 'swimmers' leaves quite a few assumptions to be made. As an
open boater, I always am challenged by the reference to 'waves that can
swamp an open canoe'. And as a rafter, I can hardly imagine doing an
eskimo roll...

Read these descriptions, and imagine yourself in a huge raft. Then imagine
yourself as a novice in a squirt boat. The descriptions won't fit the same
river on the same day.

The Six Difficulty Classes
Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few
obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to
swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Heh. Came across this:

http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tomofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...endofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tecauldron.jpg

Was described as "riffles" in the guide.

"Keenan Wellar" wrote in message
...
"riverman" wrote in message
...
To support my point, here is the AWA Rating scale. Look at how much of it
is subjective, without defining the subject. Terms like 'easy',
'difficult', 'easy to maneuver', 'easily missed', 'fast moving',
'complex'..... what boat are they talking about? And what boater? Even
reference to 'swimmers' leaves quite a few assumptions to be made. As an
open boater, I always am challenged by the reference to 'waves that can
swamp an open canoe'. And as a rafter, I can hardly imagine doing an
eskimo roll...

Read these descriptions, and imagine yourself in a huge raft. Then
imagine yourself as a novice in a squirt boat. The descriptions won't fit
the same river on the same day.

The Six Difficulty Classes
Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few
obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to
swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Heh. Came across this:

http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tomofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...endofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tecauldron.jpg

Was described as "riffles" in the guide.


grin Obviously, the guide was written by a rafter.

--riverman

"riverman" wrote in message
...

"Keenan Wellar" wrote in message
...
"riverman" wrote in message
...
To support my point, here is the AWA Rating scale. Look at how much of
it is subjective, without defining the subject. Terms like 'easy',
'difficult', 'easy to maneuver', 'easily missed', 'fast moving',
'complex'..... what boat are they talking about? And what boater? Even
reference to 'swimmers' leaves quite a few assumptions to be made. As an
open boater, I always am challenged by the reference to 'waves that can
swamp an open canoe'. And as a rafter, I can hardly imagine doing an
eskimo roll...

Read these descriptions, and imagine yourself in a huge raft. Then
imagine yourself as a novice in a squirt boat. The descriptions won't
fit the same river on the same day.

The Six Difficulty Classes
Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few
obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk
to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Heh. Came across this:

http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tomofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...endofchute.jpg
http://www.wellar.ca/gokayaking/pics...tecauldron.jpg

Was described as "riffles" in the guide.


grin Obviously, the guide was written by a rafter.

--riverman

Maybe! I never thought of that! Although I don't think you'd eve see a raft
on the Bonnechere, at least not in that location :-)

My wife and I actually tried to check with a local before heading out on
that particular trip. He seemed to know exactly what we are talking about,
and said that he thought if we found it too difficult to navigate we could
probably just get out and "wade down the riffles." Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Keenan
gokayaking.ca

I always thought river grade worked like this

Grade 1 take the mother-in-law / father-in-law
Grade 2 take the girl/boy friend
Grade 3 take the husband/wife
Grade 4 take the mistress/lover
Grade 5 take the photographs
Grade 6 take the mother-in-law / father-in-law.


By the way when I do my current lecture show about the trips I did in
Iran I describe the last few days on the Bakhtiari river as the hardest
grade 6 flat water I have ever paddled.

Paddling into vertically sided canyons with no eddies and no way of
seeing around the corner to the end of the canyon is incredibly
exhausting even when you are drifting on the flat.

The full report of the first two trips is on my web page - sorry I ain't
got round to posting the last years trip on the site yet. Got to find
time to unravel my Internet web page files - they got confused - don't
ask!

http://www.dmanby.demon.co.uk


--
Dave Manby
Details of the Coruh river and my book "Many Rivers To Run" at
http://www.dmanby.demon.co.uk