WORLD OF WHITEWATER

Ah, springtime. The weather is warming, the flowers are blooming and-best of all-the snow is melting. This means that water is high, making it the ideal time to climb in a raft and experience the country's rivers. Take it from David Perrin, who's been rafting the Chattooga River on the Georgia/South Carolina border for 35 years: "Getting out on the river is good for your soul."

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDREW DEGRAFF

The players: WHAT KIND OF RAFTER ARE YOU?
Where you sit on the raft affects your whitewater experience. Choose wisely.

THE SCAREDY-CAT:
If you consider jogging on the treadmill an extreme sport and still haven't shed your water wings, sit directly in front of the guide. There, he or she can protect you in rough patches.

THE COUCH POTATO:
Wondering why a paddle has replaced the spot usually reserved for the TV remote? Plant your bottom in the back of the boat, where only the guide will witness your feeble strokes punctuated by gasps for air. Just be sure to hang on.

THE THRILL SEEKER:
Think Evel Knievel was a sissy? Sit in the front of the raft, where you'll best be able to see (and feel) the rapids.

THE IRONMAN:
If you actually like how you look in a wet suit, sit up front to get the best workout for those chiseled biceps and rock-hard abs.

The gear

Raft
NRS Otter raft

MATERIAL: The tubes and floor are made of Hypalon, a UV-resistant material used in roofing and automotive manufacturing.
THWART: Removable, inflatable tubes add stability and double as passenger seats.
SELF-BAILING FLOOR: An inflatable floor drains water out through the perimeter of the boat.
FLOOR PURGE VALVE: A valve reduces air pressure that builds as the sun warms the raft's floor.
$2,855-$3,950; www.nrsweb.com

Paddle
PTC raft paddle

SHAFT: Airplane-grade aluminum forms the inner shaft.
BLADE: The blade, which enters the water, is made of durable plastic.
$40; www.nrsweb.com

How to paddle

Follow these instructions from Jeff Wise, executive director of the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC, to execute a proper forward stroke.

1. Place one hand on the paddle's T-grip and the other about two feet down the shaft.
2. Insert the blade completely into the water perpendicular to the surface.
3. Pull straight back on the paddle using your entire torso.
4. When the blade is about a foot past your hips, pull it out of the water.
5. Match strokes with the paddler in front of you (or next to you if you're in the front of the raft).

THE GUIDE TO RAFTING

The rivers
Now is the perfect time to plan your rafting adventure.

OCOEE RIVER, TN
(115 MILES NORTH OF ATLANTA)
This dam-controlled river hosted the whitewater kayaking and canoeing events in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

CONCORD RIVER, MA
(25 MILES NORTH OF BOSTON)
The Concord offers a unique mix of Class III-IV rapids in an urban environment.

CHATTOOGA RIVER, GA/SC
(127 MILES NORTHEAST OF ATLANTA)
This National Wild & Scenic River has changed little as the surrounding area developed. "It's really become a jewel," says David Perrin, Chattooga River manager for Nantahala Outdoor Center.

HUDSON RIVER, NY
(90 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BURLINGTON, VT)
A rollicking trip on the Hudson takes rafters through the wilderness of Adirondack Park, the largest park in the Lower 48.

HARPERS FERRY, WV
(70 MILES WEST OF BALTIMORE)
The Shenandoah and Potomac rivers offer adventures through an area rich in history and wildlife, says David Hubbard, operations manager for River & Trail Outfitters.

raft•ing: The glossary

Want to sound like you belong on the water? Study these terms of the trade.

CFS: Cubic feet per second, used to describe the volume of a river's flow.
CLASS (I, II, III, IV, V, VI): The rating system for rapids. I is smooth water and VI is virtually unrunnable.
EDDY: An area of calm water, usually along the shore or behind a large rock.
TACO: A verb that describes when a raft folds in half, such as on impact from going over a waterfall.
VEE: A V-shaped formation of water that indicates the deepest, and therefore best, channel between two rocks.
BUCKET BOAT: A nickname for a raft without a self-bailing floor, named for the buckets used to remove water.
HOLE: Also called a hydraulic, it forms when water cascades over a rock or log and creates an area of water that can be difficult for a raft to escape.
SUMMER TEETH (SOME ARE HERE, SOME ARE THERE): A dental condition rafters can avoid by maintaining a tight hold on their paddle's T-grip.

The pro: Lisa Reeder

You may not know her name, but Lisa Reeder of Vail, CO, is a member of the seven-woman US National Whitewater Team. They've built a dynasty in US whitewater rafting, having won seven consecutive national championships. This May, they plan to compete in Bosnia and Herzegovina-marking the sixth world championship trip for this 47-year-old mother of two.

HOW DO YOU STAY COMPETITIVE?
"We've got the luxury of living in the mountains, so basically everybody's lifestyle is conducive to staying in shape and staying strong. That's kind of the focus of our life."

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RAFT COMPETITIVELY?
"It's part of our lifestyle, so if you have a competitive nature, it's kind of natural to do what you love to do in a competitive atmosphere. I think we all have aspirations of seeing it grow."

HOW DOES COMPETITIVE RAFTING IN THE US COMPARE TO OTHER COUNTRIES? "It's in its infancy here, most definitely. It's been a huge struggle. We don't have any funding and we rely on local fundraisers."

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS?
"Our [realistic] goal for this year is to at least have two top-three finishes (of the three whitewater events). Obviously, we want to go for all of it."