The history of rafting

"White waters" (as rapids are known since then) were considered unbridgeable for the ancient navigators. Every obstacle seemed to hide the secrets and wild beauties of the rivers. But as an expeditionary of the XIX century first decided to face the rapids of the Colorado river, USA, in a modest wooden boat - rafting was born. Oars in the air, boats overturning, action, impact! In consequence of the activity, equipment and specific maneuvers were created in order to navigate the "inaccessible" white waters. But mother Nature didn't surrender. Many rapids still frighten and defy not only beginners but also experienced practitioners.

Nowadays there are rafting packages for tourists and championships, but the big rafting expeditions are the ones, which keep the spirit of the daring pioneers.

1869: the American expeditionary John Wesley, was the first in history to go down the Colorado rapids in a wooden boat using a central based oar.

The rigidity of the boat and the lack on maneuver techniques caused several overturns and collisions with rocks.


1896: The American Nataniel Galloway, had the idea to build lighter boats, having its seat directed to the front, providing greater security and better control of the boat.

1909: Realization of the first commercial expedition, on wooden boats but with a flatter bottom, commanded by the American Julius Stone.

1936: Amos Burg, an American explorer, probably invented the inflatable boat.

1980: : Was created the auto drainable boat, made out of new materials, lighter and more resistant. Rafting started to spread all over the world.

1982: Rafting came to Brazil by the establishment of "TY-Y expeditions", going down the rapids of both Paraiba do Sul and Paraibuna rivers, at the countryside of the state of Rio. They used to operate boats with a central based oar and only one rower.

1984: The great dream of the Entrepreneur Edson Medici came trough: the construction of the farm hotel Pontal on the family's property (since 60 years) which would become the operation base and offer all support to the enterprise named "Harpia". Two years later, Aventur Turismo owned by the same proprietor, was started, organizing expeditions with its own boats and supporting ecological conscientiousness all over the country.

1996: The Brazilian Canoeing Confederation created its Rafting department coordinated by Mr.Massimo Desiati. At the same year, the first Brazilian Championship was launched in Tibagi - state of Paraná.

1997: was founded the International Federation of Rafting which started controlling the sports; and in 1999 was realized the first official international championship; it happened in South Africa, and Brazil has got the seventh place.