Raft: The inflatable boat used for navigating rivers.

PFD (Personal Flotation Device): A life jacket worn for safety.

Paddle: A single-bladed tool used by each rafter to propel and steer.

Oar: A longer, fixed tool often used by a guide from a central position.

Thwarts: The inflatable crosspieces inside the raft that add structure and serve as seats.

Footcups: Pockets inside the raft where rafters place their feet for stability.

Throw Bag: A rescue rope kept in a bag, used to help swimmers or recover gear.

Carabiner: A metal clip used to attach equipment or tie down gear.

Dry Bag: A waterproof bag used to keep personal items dry during the trip.

Helmet: Protective headgear worn when rafting in rough conditions.

Bailer: A bucket or scoop used to remove water from the raft.

Paddle Forward: Command for paddlers to paddle in unison to move the raft forward.

Back Paddle: Paddlers reverse their strokes to slow down or stop the raft.

High-Side: Command to shift weight to the upstream side of the raft to prevent capsizing.

Low-Side: Moving to the downstream side to correct balance, often after a high-side.

Eddy: A section of calm water behind an obstruction, where rafters can pause or rest.

Eddy Out: A technique of pulling the raft into an eddy to stop or slow down.

Punching a Hole: Driving the raft directly through a powerful wave or hole in the river.

Ferry: A lateral maneuver where the raft moves sideways across the current without moving downstream.

Sweep Stroke: A wide, arcing paddle stroke used to turn the raft.

Dig In: A command for paddlers to take strong, deep paddle strokes.

Rapid: A fast-flowing section of river with turbulent water.

Wave Train: A series of standing waves formed by water passing over an obstacle.

Hydraulic (Hole): A spot where water flows over a rock and recirculates back on itself, forming a powerful reverse current.

Chute: A narrow, fast-moving section of river between rocks.

Drop: A sudden change in the river's elevation, creating a waterfall or ledge.

Strainer: An obstacle like a tree or branch in the river that lets water through but could trap a person or boat.

Sweepers: Overhanging branches or trees that can hit paddlers or the raft.

Eddy Line: The boundary between the fast current and the calm water of an eddy.

Standing Wave: A stationary wave that forms over submerged rocks or obstructions.

Boil: A swirling area of water caused by currents moving over an underwater obstacle.

Swimmer: A person who has fallen out of the raft and is now in the water.

Flip: When the raft capsizes, turning completely upside down.

Self-Bailing: A raft designed to automatically drain water through holes in the floor.

Swim Line: The path a swimmer should take when navigating through rapids after falling out of the raft.

T-Grip: The top part of the paddle; holding this firmly prevents accidents, especially during rescues.

High-Side: A move where paddlers quickly shift to the upstream side to prevent the raft from flipping.

Safety Kayak: A kayaker who assists in rescuing swimmers or flipped boats on a rafting trip.

Z-Drag: A pulley system used to rescue a pinned raft or move heavy equipment.

Strainer: An obstacle in the water, such as tree branches, that pose serious danger because they allow water to pass but can trap people or objects.

Class I: Easy, calm water with few obstacles.

Class II: Moderate rapids with clear, wide channels.

Class III: Intermediate rapids with some maneuvering required.

Class IV: Advanced rapids with powerful waves, narrow passages, and technical moves.

Class V: Expert-level rapids with extreme difficulty, large drops, and dangerous obstacles.

Class VI: Considered unnavigable, extremely dangerous.

Ride the Bull: Sitting at the very front of the raft for an exciting, often soaking ride.

Surfing: Holding the raft in a hole or wave to "surf" the standing water.

Swim Test: A light-hearted term for when someone unintentionally falls out of the raft.

CFS (Cubic Feet per Second): A measure of how much water is flowing through the river—higher CFS means bigger rapids.

Meat Grinder: A gnarly section of a rapid with lots of rocks, creating a potentially hazardous situation.

Yard Sale: When paddlers and gear are thrown out of the raft and scattered in the water.

Tube Cowboy: A rider who sits on the edge of the raft (often discouraged in bigger rapids).

Gaper: A person who is clueless about rafting or whitewater conditions.

Hole-Biter: Someone who falls out of the raft when it hits a big hole or wave.

Rubber Side Down: A common farewell, meaning “hope you don’t flip!”

Big Water: High-water conditions when the river is running fast and the rapids are large.