Many Sacramento residents are unaware that they live just around the corner from a world-renown hotbed of whitewater rafting. Whether you are rafting the South Fork of the American River in El Dorado County, the Middle or North Forks, Cache Creek or one of the many other rivers flowing in the Sacramento area, here's a great article on how to go about planning your trip.

As a first-time rafter, many questions are likely running through your mind if you are considering a trip. Maybe you’re nervous. Perhaps you can’t swim. Are you going off of waterfalls? Are you fit enough? Are you old enough? Are you young enough? What do you wear? How do you wear it? Do you need special shoes?

Not to worry – everyone has these questions. You will be fine. On the South Fork of the American River alone, upwards of 65,000 people go rafting each and every year. California whitewater rafting is an excellent vacation option, and so close for Sacramento residents!. If you have been invited or are considering planning a trip on your own, it is great to be cautious, but you shouldn’t let any fear or trepidation stop you.

Here are fourteen easy steps to make your trip a breeze:

1. RELAX! If you are rafting with a professional company, you are in great hands. They know what they are doing, and how to get you down a river.

2. Go with a “can-do” attitude. It is perfectly normal to be nervous, as this is a new experience, but don’t be “that guy” who complains the whole time. Just take a deep breath, and take it all in.

3. Rafting, like the rest of the world, has different seasons. What you WEAR depends on the season:

SPRING rafting tends to be cooler. You should definitely consult with the company you are rafting with, but a thin wetsuit may be appropriate. More commonly, wetsuit booties or wool socks with your STRAP-on sandals or old tennis shoes (more on footware below), shorts, a wool sweater, a splash jacket or dry top, and even possibly wool cap are all appropriate choices for cool-weather rafting.

SUMMER rafting is a bit warmer. Strap-on sandals or old tennis shoes are recommended, and shorts are a must. You can wear a bathing suit but trunks/shorts are recommended as you are sitting on rubber and bathing suits tend to get…ahem…moved. Other clothing necessities include a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Some companies wear helmets, in which case you may or may not be able to wear a hat while rafting.

4. No matter the season, and no matter your skin tone, wear SUNBLOCK! We like to recommend all natural / biodegradable sunblock, given the detrimental effects of certain chemicals on the environment. Some specific ingredients to avoid include PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4- methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben.

5. Wear proper SHOES! Shoes must strap to the foot. Crocs and their composite foam ankle strap do not count as they do not bind to the foot. Name brands that make appropriate footwear include Teva, Chaco, and Keen. Water booties with a sole are fine, and old tennis shoes are a great solution as well, as they tie directly to your feet. No one wants you swimming without your consent, but if you do swim, you want something on your feet.

6. Trust the GEAR. You will be wearing top-of-the-line personal floatation devices (PFDs). In nearly all instances these are Class V Coast Guard-approved flotation devices, which are the highest quality PFDs on the market. Rafts themselves are some of the toughest boats on the water, as they are made to commercial standards with commercial-quality materials.

7. COMMIT fully to the experience. If you are offered the opportunity to swim a rapid, do it! This is an incredible place to be, so take advantage of everything it has to offer. The last thing you want is to walk away from your experience regretting that you did not engage in the opportunity to the fullest.

8. Remember what NOT to do. Believe it or not, you shouldn’t bring a towel to the river. There’s no place on the raft for a towel. Keep it in the car for the end of the trip. Don’t wear suntan oil. Oil + Skin + Rubber = swimming. And drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes will not only impede your ability to get down the river, but can be downright dangerous when mixed with rafting.

9. There are plenty of rafting companies to choose from. On the South Fork of the American River alone, you are afforded no less than 33 options. Pick someone you feel comfortable with. Most prices are going to be within $10 of one another, so the most important factor is comfort. Just about everyone will provide a comfortable trip, but there are different attitudes and energies with each company.

10. Generally there are NO waterfalls! There are drops, but nothing that equates to a waterfall. The boats are made to do what you will be doing, so relax.

11. Yes, chances are, you are FIT enough. This is not an olympic paddle crew timed trial. You will be pulling your weight, along with five or six other people.

12. The trips are professionally GUIDED. You will have a professional, competent guide in the back of the raft controlling the action. Just be sure to follow directions!

13. Age CAN be a factor, so check with the company with whom you are rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.

14. Finally, do not disqualify yourself based on unfounded PRECONCEPTIONS. Chances are, you are going to love this adventure. We have sent young children down the river along with their grandparents without a hitch. You CAN do this!

Christopher Pyle is owner operator of www.actionwhitewater.com, a whitewater rafting and retreat offering as well as www.natures-classroom.com a leading outdoor education and class trip provider.