Whitewater Rafting

On Saturday, I went whitewater rafting with my troop. We went to Kernville and rafted down the Upper Kern River, making 3 runs in total. It was my first time rafting and I was a bit scared at first. I was afraid that I would fall in the water. But it was fun and exhilarating. Whitewater rafting is similar to scuba diving, something that is hard to explain if you have not experienced it before.

My raft crew consisted of Andrew Choi, Eric P., Brandon Hojo, Jeffrey Tai, my dad, and a guide. We were the best rafters as we cooperated and worked with each other very well. All four of them were experienced as they had rafted before. All of us are best friends and we have known each other since 2nd grade. I sat in the back right seat for most of the time in the raft. We paddled together as our guide shouted commands, “Forward 1” and we paddled one time forward. “Left 2” and we worked together to turn the raft left. We were able to conquer almost all of the challenges that persisted. Some parts were calm and that was nice as we got to chill and just roll along the Kern River. The class IV’s were a challenge. The ride was bumpy as we rode a wave up and then down and had to paddle in order to move along. Water got into our raft a lot as it was a blast. We went through this stretch called “Powerhouse” where it was bumpy one after another for quite some time. On our first run, we had to rescue one raft as in a class III rapid, they capsized. I pulled two people up to our raft. 

And I fell into the cold, fresh waters of the Kern River. On our third run as we were approaching our destination, we had one last Class III rapid to go through. I changed spots with Jeffrey and was in the front with Hojo. We were in the Class III and then we all paddled. But the boat turned to the right and I was knocked backward into the water. My feet were trapped on the right side of the raft, on my seat, and my head and body were in the water. I then released my foot and my whole body fell in the water. I followed what they told us about what to do in case we fell and floated up on the “California lounge chair” position. That’s when we put our feet up, facing down shore.  Next, I went to our raft and Jeffrey pulled me in by my life vest. It actually wasn’t that bad in the water. It was cold for a second but then I got used to it. Falling into the Kern River, where it is fresh water, is a lot better than falling in the sea or ocean, where it is salt water. I was able to breathe like I was swimming when I was in the Kern River.

What a great experience whitewater rafting. And it was special since I got to raft in the same raft as my dad on Father’s Day weekend. It’s a moment that I will cherish forever.