As its title suggests, this useful guide offers about as exhaustive a course in river running as you can expect to get on dry land. Author Jeff Bennett outlines a simple approach that will take you from the showroom of your local paddling outfitter to the rapids of your favorite river. You'll learn about rafting history, equipment, safety, and rescue, and explore the dynamic forces at play in the rivers themselves. From underwater currents, surface hydraulics, and rapids classifications to water and wave patterns known as haystacks and pillows, The Complete Whitewater Rafter examines all facets of river running. Bennett also covers the planning procedures for full-scale river expeditions and the advanced maneuvers essential for Class V rivers. --Lance Judd


Book Description
This is the manual endorsed by professional guides, instructors, and recreational river runners everywhere. With comprehensive step-by-step coverage starting with the first run, it includes tips from top guides, outfitters, and instructors, plus the most complete guide to Class V rafting techniques ever assembled. This is the completely revised and updated successor to Bennett's best-selling manual, Rafting!.


From the Back Cover

Here's the completely revised and updated successor to Jeff Bennett's best-selling manual, Rafting!

Captures the fun, excitement, and camaradarie of river running, and provides the technical expertise rafters need to safely participate in the sport."--Bunny Johns, President, Nantahala Outdoor Center

"The river community has been in desperate need of a how-to-raft book for years. Thank the river gods Jeff Bennett has written one!"--Eric Leaper, Executive Director, National Organization for River Sports

"The first comprehensive work on whitewater rafting. A must for the first-time floater or grizzled guide."--Les Bechdel, Co-author, River Rescue

"The complete reference on whitewater rafting from the man who defines the phrase 'whitewater junkie'!"--Jim Cassady, Co-author, Western Whitewater and California Whitewater Oar & Paddle Techniques Equipment & Accessories Hydrology & River Reading Safety & Rescue Camping & Cookery Maintenance & Repair Guidebooks & Resources Where the Jobs Are History Whitewater Photography And Much, Much More

Includes inside tips from top guides, outfitters, and instructors, plus the most complete guide to Class V rafting techniques ever assembled.

The Complete Whitewater Rafter is the manual endorsed by professional guides, instructors, and recreational river runners everywhere.

"Everything your mother forgot to tell you about whitewater rafting--and we all know that was a lot! Provides the knowledge, technique, and confidence you need to become more than a passenger on your next river adventure."--Phyllis Horowitz, Director, American Whitewater Affiliation

"A watershed event! The Complete Whitewater Rafter contains everything you need to know to be your own outfitter and guide."--Dave Harrison, Editor-in-Chief, Canoe & Kayak

"Required reading for all our rafting students!"--Bill Cross, Director, Running Wild Whitewater School

"Jeff's unique style of writing and whitewater insight provide everyone with that essential information necessary for a trip's success."--Tom Wagner, General Manager, North American River Runners

"A comprehensive guide, of value to both beginning and experienced river runners. This book has everything you need to become adept at river running."--Doug Tims, President, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association

"The rafting community has been waiting a long time for a book like The Complete Whitewater Rafter."--Jack Nelson, Owner, Cascade Outfitters

"The one book we recommend to all our guides!"--Mike Doyle and Dave Hammond, Owners, Beyond Limits Adventures

"Covers all you need to know about equipment, hydrology, camping, safety, and much more."--Tim Brown, Outdoor Gear

"If you only have room in your library for one more whitewater book, The Complete Whitewater Rafter is the one to have."--David Bolling, Author, How to Save a River and Wild and Free

"Assembles, in detail, all the information rafters need to make river trips safer, more enjoyable, and better organized."--Dennis Schell, President, High Country River Rafters

"The Complete Whitewater Rafter provides the missing link between boaters and rivers. An extraordinary tool for rafters of any abilty."--Dale Fuller, Director, North American Paddle Sports Association

"Puts together in one fun-to-read volume all the information you need to get started in rafting. Even experts will find a great deal of useful information from this leading authority on the sport."--Richard Penny, Author, The Whitewater Sourcebook


About the Author
Jeff Bennett has been running rivers in rafts, hardshell and inflatable kayaks, and canoes since the 1970s. A columnist and contributing photographer to Paddler and Snow Country magazines, his work has also appeared in Canoe & Kayak, Adventure West, and other publications. He is author or co-author of three classic river guides--Class Five Chronicles, A Guide to the Whitewater Rivers of Washington, and Soggy Sneakers Guide to Oregon Rivers--and has contributed tales of hairball whitewater descents to the wildly entertaining book, No Shit! There I Was. He is also author of The Complete Inflatable Kayaker and with Scott Downey, The Complete Snowboarder, both published by Ragged Mountain Press.