Lazy Days

Resort & Campground on Elk River

Tag: flowing waters

Tag: flowing waters

Diagram of the Fundamental Elements of a River Rafting Boat

When it comes to river rafting boats, the inflatable raft has fundamental elements that every member of a rafting team should know. In today’s blog, we’ll diagram those essential elements on a raft, pointing out and describing each area, including but not limited to:

  • Bow of a raft
  • River raft stern
  • Chafe pad
  • The thwart
  • Raft tube
  • A baffle
  • Seams
  • Raft Floor
  • Pressure release valve

River Rafting Boat

Most novice river-rafters in the four states region of U. S. know the bow and the stern area on a river raft. As the sport has grown and gained popularity, raft designs have evolved to meet the varying river conditions.

So whether you’re rafting down the calm waters of the Elk River near Noel, Missouri, or rafting the class I rapids of the Big Sugar near Pineville, Missouri, here are the essential design elements of a river raft.

Bow of a Raft

The front of a raft, or any watercraft, is known as the bow. The bow gives a raft lift to go over the waves, providing a drier float trip. There are also low-rise rafts commonly used along the Elk River, which is a calm water float trip.

River Raft Stern

The back of a raft is known as the stern. It’s commonly where a river guide would sit to perform master maneuvers for steering the boat on a whitewater rafting trip. But when it comes to the easy-flowing waters of the Elk River and the Big Sugar, you can self-guide your river float.

Chafe Pad

The chafe pads lower the friction caused by wear and tear since this is where you sit and paddle in a river raft.

The Thwart

The cross-section pieces are known as thwarts, which are positioned perpendicularly to the raft tubes to add rigidity to the raft. In addition, thwarts can act as a foothold to give paddlers leverage and support in swift-moving currents.

Raft Tube

All river rafts get designed with an air-filled tube, which gives a raft its buoyancy to stay afloat on a river. The perimeter tube gets subdivided into individual sections. The minimum diameter is 15 to 16 inches. The more surface area, the greater the flotation capacity.

A Baffle

The sections around the perimeter of the raft are the baffles, essentially individual chambers of air. A single raft can have as many baffles as needed, from bow to stern, to encompass the entire floor of a raft to hold 2 to 8 people. If one chamber, or baffle, gets punctured, the raft will stay afloat.

Seams

Each baffle gets conjoined through a specialty welding process that fuses two baffles that form the seams between each baffle.

Raft Floor

Like the baffles, the raft floor gets adhered to the bottom of the tube. Depending upon a specific raft’s design, the floor is sometimes wrapped entirely around the outside of the tube for added strength for whitewater rafting. However, the rivers of Southwest Missouri are not known for having wild whitewater rafting.

Pressure Release Valves

Also, a feature of a raft floor is the pressure-release valves found commonly on self-bailing rafts. Valves can get checked easily for leaks by sitting on the sides to listen for hissing.

Raft Valve

Inside the raft are side valves too. Although these valves can get blocked by gear in a loaded raft, the valves should be readily accessible in the event of over-inflation, or there’s an urgent hot air expanse that needs to be released.

Book Your Next River Float Trip

Book your next river float at Lazy Days Resort near Noel, MO, your premier rental location for river float trips. They also offer full hookup RVing, tent campsites, or cabin stays. Book your stay today at Lazy Days Resort and Campground today!

Getting to Lazy Days Resort & Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort is between the charming towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Craig SandersElk River Float, River Float, River Rafts

Two Simple River Rafting Paddle Maneuvers In Every River-goers Toolbox

River floats are a popular outdoor activity during the summer months throughout southwest Missouri. It’s an excellent way to make memories that last a lifetime with friends.

But every river-goer knowns that there are two essential paddle maneuvers needed to easily navigate the easy-flowing waters of the Elk River near Noel, Missouri, which are:

  • Forward stroke
  • Reverse stroke

Each stroke has a directional purpose in a river raft and is easy to complete, whether the river current is easy and slow or fast-moving with many rapids. By understanding how each of these paddle strokes work, you will be able to complete a successful river launch and navigate your way:

  • Across a river
  • downriver, or
  • Upriver, if you choose

Successful Completion of Any Paddle Stroke Technique

For any paddle stroke to be completed successfully, it’s essential to know the three phases of a single stroke.

  1. Catch phase
  2. Power phase
  3. Recovery phase

By understanding these phases and how they work together, you can conserve energy for a more relaxing, good time on your river float trip.

The Catch Phase

The most critical phase out of the three is the catch phase. At this phase, a paddle blade makes first contact with the water. For the step to get completed successfully, the paddle blade must be fully plunged into the water up to the paddle throat before the power phase begins.

The Power Phase

Now the power phase, or power stroke, can begin. With all paddlers working in unison, this phase is the most efficient and effective way to move across the water.

Each paddler in the raft will hold on to the t-grip of the paddle using their inside hand coming cross-body to grasp the t-grip while the outside hand holds onto the shaft; in unison, the paddlers in the boat lean forward to drag the raft past the paddle(s). It is the in-unison work that gives this phase its name, power.

The Recovery Phase

The final phase of a stroke is the recovery phase when the paddle blade is lifted from the water and brought forward before plunging into the water to execute another stroke.

Forward Stroke for Maximum Efficiency

The forward stroke is the single most important paddle stroke in a river float. It propels a raft forward while keeping the boat in a straight line. When done correctly, it’s an incredibly efficient technique that saves you energy and keeps your raft moving swiftly.

Reverse Stroke for Directional Control

The reverse paddle stroke, sometimes called the back stroke, is an essential technique for river rafting and other river sports. It gives you maximum control over your raft’s direction. The method involves paddling in a backward direction while facing forward, which helps you to make quick turns and navigate through narrow passages.

Book A River Float Today

Booking a river float with Lazy Days Resort is easy. If you have specific dates in mind, you can check all the available dates through their online booking system for floats down:

The resort is situated between Pineville and Noel, Missouri. Getting to Lazy Days Resort is a short one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6.

If you have a minute or two, read what our past guests had to say about their stays.

Craig SandersCanoes, Elk River Float, Kayaks, River Float, River Rafts