<p>eadad and others thanks for the suggestions. Yes this weekned will a trip to REI (I didn’t even know that they had a store and one of them is only 15 miles away).</p>
<p>If you go to REI check out a membership. It’s a coop, so you get a rebate every year and they sell so much more than outdoor gear. You could also look into an REI VISA, which gets you 1% back on everything you buy, anywhere.</p>
<p>they sell so much more than outdoor gear
Have you been to the downtown Seattle store? It looks like Eddie Bauer at Vail.
I miss the cresote soaked railroad ties that used to make up the floor.
They do have good products though if the price is inching upwards. My husband still uses his REI down bag from 30+ years ago.
Even if you only buy a few things, you still get a dividend check and when you do, you can cash it in to save 20% on any one item in the store ( within a certain time frame)</p>
<p>Thirty five years ago, one of Harvard’s best heavier weight wrestlers -an Illinois state runner-up, I believe- did not return junior year. He had drowned that summer in the Arkansas river in a rafting accident. He was a terrific athlete and if anyone could have humanly extracted themselves from danger, he could have.</p>
<p>Obviously the vast majority of people enjoy this sport without incident, but it is well worth paying attention to whatever safety instruction is available.</p>
<p>simba-- I’ve done lots of white water rafting & am a glasses wearer.</p>
<p>For the glasses:
(1) bring a spare pair…I’ve never lost any, but its peace of mind
(2) use a croakie or other elastic attachment band that can be tightened up when the big rapids are encountered. I ALWAYS wore this band, even in “flat” water.</p>
<p>Other important personal items:
(1) quick-dry shorts
(2) teva’s or canvas shoes that can be wet a good portion of the day.
(3) sunscreen with frequent applications
(4) I liked using a small fanny pack to keep my sunscreen & sunglasses at close hand. For any small items that need to stay dry, use ziplock bags.
(5) a hat is helpful for sun. Try to find a double aligator clip to enable clipping the hat onto to life vest or shirt if big rapids are encountered. I’ve only done this on the really realy big stuff, like Grand Canyon, & have never lost a hat otherwise.
(6) buy a couple of cheap D-rings at REI or other outdoor store (climbing section)…rafters use these to clip small drybags, waterproof camera’s & other items to boat rigging to secure in case there’s a bouncey ride or the boat flips.</p>
<p>Your S is going to have a blast. My kids started from age 8 & up have all loved whitewater rafting in even the most formidable-appearing rapids. A little trepidation when first encountered, but its a great lesson in mind over matter.</p>