First time rafting the Barapole? Knowing what to bring — and what not to — can make the difference between a great day and a frustrating one.
## Clothing: What to Wear on the Water
The single most common mistake first-time rafters make is wearing the wrong clothing. Here's what works:
✓ Wear: Shorts and a quick-dry T-shirt. Chudidar for ladies(no sarees please) Synthetics like polyester or nylon dry quickly and don't become heavy when wet. Board shorts are ideal.
✓ Wear: Sports sandals with a strap (like Crocs or similar). They stay on your feet and dry quickly. Avoid flip-flops — they fall off in rapids.
✓ Wear: A rash guard or thin wetsuit top if you run cold. The Barapole in monsoon is not cold-cold, but the rain and river water can cool you down.
✗ Don't wear: Jeans & Sarees. They becomes impossibly heavy when wet and restricts movement. ✗ Don't wear: Cotton shirts. Cotton holds water and chills you. ✗ Don't wear: Shoes with laces. Laces can get caught on raft rigging. ✗ Don't wear: Expensive jewellery — it will likely end up on the riverbed.
## What to Bring
✓ A dry bag or waterproof pouch: Essential for your phone, wallet, and car keys. We provide water proof bag or boxes(common for all guests in raft), but a waterproof pouch worn around your neck is useful for photography during the run.
✓ A change of dry clothes: You will be very wet by the end of the run. Having dry clothes in the car is one of those small things that makes the whole experience better.
✓ A towel: Useful for drying off after the run. Our changing rooms have good facilities but no towels.
✓ Sunscreen: Even on cloudy monsoon days, UV exposure is real on the river. Apply waterproof sunscreen before the run.
✓ A hat with a chin strap: If you want to wear a hat on the water, make sure it has a chin strap or it will disappear at Morning Coffee.
✓ Water bottle: Stay hydrated. The run is physically demanding even when you're enjoying it.
## What Acepaddlers Provides
You don't need to bring any safety or rafting equipment — we provide everything:
✓ Helmet (international safety standard) ✓ Personal Flotation Device / Life jacket ✓ Paddle ✓ Safety kayaker or Backup Raft escort throughout the run ✓ Changing tents or cubicles ✓ Safety briefing by certified guides
All equipment is regularly inspected and replaced on schedule. We do not compromise on equipment quality.
## What NOT to Bring to the River
✗ Your primary phone without a waterproof case. Phones are destroyed by river submersion. Use a waterproof pouch or leave the phone in the locker.
✗ Expensive cameras without waterproof housing. Go-Pro style cameras with mounts are fine.
✗ Contact lenses. Monsoon river water and contact lenses are a bad combination. Wear glasses or go without.
✗ Earrings and necklaces. They get caught in helmet straps and can cause injury or loss.
✗ Alcohol. We strictly prohibit rafting under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This is a firm safety rule, no exceptions.
## Pre-Arrival Checklist
Before you leave for the Barapole, run through this quick checklist:
□ Quick-dry shorts and shirt — packed □ Sports sandals — wearing □ Dry change of clothes — in the car □ Towel — in the bag □ Waterproof phone pouch — in the bag □ Sunscreen applied before arrival □ Contact lenses swapped for glasses □ Booking confirmed with Acepaddlers — +91 93809 86884 or +91 94809 87672 □ Arrival time: 30 minutes before your slot for the briefing
With this list sorted, you're ready for one of South India's finest adventure experiences. See you on the Barapole!