Rafting on the river Tara is a very exciting and incredibly fun adventure. However, as with all adventure sports, there is some risk involved. We tried to give you a clear answer to this doubt.
What is Rafting?
Rafting is a competitive sport in which the goal is to sail downstream and fight the river, mountain, and rapids by rowing in a rubber (inflated) boat. It is considered an extreme sport that is extremely challenging and requires a lot of teamwork.
The level of difficulty of rafting depends on many factors, one of the most important of which is the level and speed of the river. Rafting in Montenegro is also an extremely popular recreational activity that is practiced in many countries around the world, and in our country, the most popular is rafting on the Tara River.
Is Rafting Dangerous?
As a popular activity and a highly sought-after trip, the question “how much is it” and “is rafting dangerous?” often comes up. The report of a foreign insurance company, which dealt with risk assessments on rafting, concluded that the possibility of injuries in rafting is similar to that in bowling!
Rafting is an extreme sport, but it is not dangerous, with proper precautions. The most common rafting injuries are sunburn injuries and injuries that occur on land, especially when getting in and out of boats.
- Boats used for rafting must be registered, certified, and maintained.
- Skippers must have appropriate licenses and experience.
- All participants must follow the rules of behavior on boats.
- Always choose registered rafting centers.
Navigating the boat through the rapids requires you to learn simple commands from your skippers to assist and participate in maneuvering the boat. Paddling can be tiring at times, but your guides will instruct you in paddling techniques, which are very easy to learn, and above all else, the descent will be fun.
Rafting Compared to Other Adrenaline Activities
It is difficult to determine how often and how rafting is compared to other activities in nature. According to research in New Zealand, injury rates for the most popular “outdoor” activities based on 100,000 participants are:
- Riding – 2,860 injuries
- Mountain biking – 1,480
- Surfing – 1,110
- Hiking and trekking – 760
- Rafting – 72
From these statistics, we can see that the percentage of rafting injuries is less than 0.1%, and they are mostly minor injuries.
How to Ensure your Safety on Rafting?
There are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself on your Tara rafting adventure.
These simple things are:
– Choose the level of the river that corresponds to your physical fitness (the water level of the river is highest in April and May).
– Listen carefully to the skippers/guides during the pre-departure briefing and when giving instructions on how to behave on the river. Make sure you follow those instructions.
– Be sure to wear your protective equipment, helmets, and safety vests. Do not remove your equipment while on the river and check that it is securely attached.
– Do not jump out of the boat, unless the skipper allows you to do so in a part of the river where it is safe for such a thing.
– And do not go rafting in an alcoholic state.
Is Rafting Safe for Children and the Elderly?
Yes! Rafting is completely safe for school-aged children. Children can participate in rafting with the obligatory accompaniment of an adult companion.
Many healthy people of all age groups, including seniors in their 70s and 80s, enjoy rafting.
Rafting is a Safe Outdoor Activity
Risk adds to the excitement and is one of the reasons why people enjoy adrenaline sports such as rafting. Skippers who work in rafting camps are trained to minimize, and eliminate risks and therefore increase their safety to the maximum. Rafting is a very fun and exciting adventure that you should not miss, and statistically speaking, you are safer rafting down the river than driving a rental car.
