Frequently Asked Questions
SAFETY FIRST
Are Outdoor activities safe?
Contrary to the common belief, outdoor activities are rather safe. In all our tours, our customers are provided with all technical equipment the tour requires and all the equipment are regularly checked and taken care of. What is more, if you are doing it with guides like ours who know by heart the exact position of each and every rock and obstacle in the river, you definitely needn't worry. Safety is our number one priority
EXPERIENCE
Do we have to have experience beforehand?
We do not seek previous experience as a must in any of our tours. Before each tour, you will be informed about the tour by our guides. You will all be ready after a brief lesson on how to get equipped, how to use your equipment and how the tour will run.
PHYSICAL CONDITION
What kind of physical condition do I need to have?
First of all you should know that we cannot make predictions about your physical sufficiency. It will be you who decides whether you are able to join our tours or not; which means the responsibility is yours. You really should let your guide know before the tour if you have epilepsy, any heart deficiency, diabetes, asthma, any allergy, any hearing or sight impair, phobia of staying open or closed areas etc. Antalya Rafting cannot be held responsible for any injury or accident resulting from missing or wrong information. Again, usage of alcohol or other stimulants or drugs before or during the tour is strictly forbidden. Antalya Rafting possesses the right not to allow any participant who is not able to join the tours due to the usage of alcohol or any other illegal substance.
WHAT TO BRING
What kind of things should we take with us?
All the technical equipment regarding the tours is provided by us. Nevertheless, the items you might personally need are:
- Clothes that dry quickly
- Training shoes, Closed Shoes
- Change of Clothes
- Sun cream, Sunglasses, Hat (only for jeep safari)
- Towels
- Some money for drinks and in case you want to buy the trip video and photos
We do not advise you to wear jeans or cotton materials as they take long and are hard to dry. Also, flip flops are not suitable for any of the tours.
BEST SEASON
Which season is the best?
We are able to make tours all year round in our mild Mediterranean climate that has long summers and barely cold winters. Nonetheless, spring months are relatively more suitable as water is abundant and the weather is not too hot.
GUIDES
Is there a guide in each boat?
On all rafts there is a guide directing it; but on the ducky style air kayaks we have no guide and all the control is on you. After the brief course you get before the tour, you will not have much trouble managing these small boats. By the way, all the guides on the rafts will be keeping an eye on you.
A KAYAK OR A RAFT?
A kayak or a raft?
It is hard to choose between them as both are fun in different ways. If you choose the raft, you will be rafting with a real professional. Because our guides know the river like the palm of their hands, they know exactly how to make everyone in the group have the most fun. They will enrich your tour by making various manoeuvres and games. Should you prefer the kayak, your fate will be laid in your own hands. You will be tasting the joy of riding the waves with your own abilities. So, whichever one you choose, you will not have made a wrong decision.
EQUIPMENT
Are neoprene suits and helmets required?
Neoprene is a cloth that preserves the body temperature. It should definitely be used in cold weathers. It provides protection against hypothermia and shock. It has to be used all winter and sometimes, depending on the situation, in spring and autumn too. Wearing a helmet, on the other hand, is always compulsory.
WETSUIT FEE
Do we pay extra fee for the neoprene suit?
No, you don't. Depending on the weather conditions, we give all the participants neoprene clothes when it is necessary.
CHILDREN
Can we join the tours with our children?
Of course. We have special child and student groups; that is, we are experts on this issue. All the children older than six can join our tours.
SWIMMING
Do I have to know how to swim?
Knowing how to swim is not compulsory for the rivers up to Level 3. The life-jackets you all will be wearing will not let you sink even if you want to. In other words, you do not need to worry about this. Besides, if you do exactly what your guide tells you to do, you will manage to stay on the boat for the most part.
DIFFICULTY LEVELS
What does classification of rivers mean?
While flowing through its bank, the river has to pass some barriers, some obstacles. These obstacles are tiny or massive rock chunks and sometimes a tree trunk. Sometimes, water flows down from a high point and keeps floating on. These obstacles that barrier the waters of the river change the current's general speed and direction; they create turbulences, waves in the water and sudden accelerations in the speed of the current. In river sports, the term used for such parts of the river that create white and foamy scenes is "rapid". The obstacles like rapids and waterfalls on the rivers define the international standards of river classification.
Level 1: Very simple current. There is no disturbance in the water; it flows extremely smoothly, without causing any foaming.
Level 2: Simple rapids. The current is low. The flow of the water and small obstacles cause slight waves. These are easy passes with absolutely no danger.
Level 3: Rapids of medium difficulty. The river develops waves that can be considered high. The height of the waves reach 1 meter. The end of the rapid is quiet and visible.
Level 4: Challenging rapids. It is not always possible to see the start end the end of the rapid. The current forms considerably big and complex waves. There are obstacles over and under the water. There must be a team with rescue lines on the river bank for safety.
Level 5: Very tough rapids. Sometimes the water forms waterfalls or very big waves. the height of the wave can reach five meters. The river is covered with snow-white foams. There might be narrow passes. A lot of experience and the exact knowledge of what to do in case of unexpected difficulties is strongly required.
Level 6: Rapids impossible to pass. The river either falls from several meters of height or encounters continuous barriers that form a very turbulent and wavy areas.
TRIP VIDEO
Will our photos or videos be taken in action?
Both photos and a video of you will be taken. Our professional photographers and camera crew await at the best spots of the river to record the best moments and take the best shots of your adventure. These photos and the video will be available after the tour for a reasonable price. You may take your own recording devices with you during all land tours but we advise you not to take them with you on wet tours. It is completely up to you whether or not to take your personal belongings with you. Our Company cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.
