If you’re planning on going whitewater rafting, it’s a good idea to know what kind of water you’re going to be navigating. Whether you’re an expert or beginner, you want to choose the level of action that suits your skill level and thrill tolerance.

This is your guide to rating the rapids.

Just about any river that commercial rafting outfitters run on has graded rapids, but what’s the difference between Class One and Class Four or Five? As you’ll see there’s a world of difference, so make sure you choose the water that’s right for you.

The Standard River Scale for Rating Rapids: Class 1 - 6
(See pictures below for examples.)

CLASS I Rapids: Moving water with small waves that might require some slight maneuvering. More or less this is relaxing way to spend a day if there is enough water to carry you along. If the water levels are low, be prepared to get out and push/carry the raft.

• Skill Level: Very Basic
• Adrenaline Level: Relaxing Picnic on the Water

CLASS II Rapids: Easy, straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels and waves that up to three feet tall. Some maneuvering is required but generally there’s not much to worry about. .

• Skill Level: Novice, Basic Paddling Skill – easily taught by an outfitter
• Adrenaline Level: Great Training Run, especially for the kiddies

CLASS III Rapids: Strong eddies and current, requiring skilled maneuvering, but no considerable danger. Waves up to four feet and narrow passages that rock the boat and send water gushing over it's sides. Let the fun and excitement begin!

• Skill Level: Intermediate, Experienced Paddling Skills – probably best if you’ve done some mellow rafting or canoeing previously
• Adrenaline Level: Good Energy, but kind of like sitting in the stands, cheering at the big game. After Class 1 and 2, you’re starting to wake up to the possibilities.

CLASS IV Rapids: Powerful and difficult rapids with narrow passages and turbulent hydraulics that require precise raft maneuvering and captaining. Expect medium waves, unexpected rocks and some considerable drops. Once you’ve tried Class 4 rapids, you’ll never want anything less.

• Skill Level: Advanced, Whitewater Experience – you shouldn’t try this grade without feeling comfortable on and in the water.
• Adrenaline Level: Wake Up! Now you’re out of the stands and playing in the game!

CLASS V Rapids: Whitewater characterized by large waves, large rocks and hazards, possibilities of a large drops and twisting hydraulics, all requiring precise maneuvering and a solid captain. These are violent rapids which expose paddlers to above-average danger, so don’t make this your first trip out.

• Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience – this is no joke.
• Adrenaline Rush: The Championship Game! This is exciting!

CLASS VI Rapids: The ultimate extreme rafting, some say un-runnable. Only the most expert rafters should attempt Class 6 rapids! Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively un-navigable on a reliably safe basis. You can expect substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks, extreme hazards and hydraulics, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment. Grade VI rapids carry with them a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. For this reason, Class VI is for teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, taking all precautions. Raft trips on Class 6 water, for the most part, aren’t available.

• Skill Level:Successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of great luck or extreme skill
• Adrenaline Level: Your Life is On the Line! Need we say more?

Grand Canyon Rating Scale

CLASS I - X: The Grand Canyon uses a unique river rating scale. The rapids in the Canyon are technically rated I - X ( 1 - 10) to accommodate such a wide variety of rapids and river variances. 1 is generally equivalent to 1 and 10 is generally equivalent to 5 (in the I – V standard river scale).