Water sports are fun for people of all ages, but not all river activities are created equal. There is a stark difference between whitewater rafting and canoeing.
Though both activities are meant to be a thrill-inspiring adventure, whitewater rafting has garnered a reputation for being more on the risk-taking side, so it attracts a more daring crowd of outdoor enthusiasts. Thus, when a rafter sees a group of canoeists loading their cargo into the water, they automatically question whether the trip will be worth their while.
After all, if a canoe full of people can safely make it down the river, then will the river rafting tour offer any excitement? This is particularly true for rafters who enjoy pushing themselves to the limits and are only satisfied when pinned up against crashing waves and relentless torrents of freshwater, which would be far too much for a canoe to handle.
Canoers do not approach the water with the same mindset that the typical whitewater rafter does. Canoeists, although physically fit and capable of holding their own in rocky waters, long for a calm trip, while rafters are always searching for the next best thing. To put it simply, canoeists try to avoid the risky conditions that many whitewater rafting lovers attempt to come into contact with.
Teamwork is another important element of both canoeing and Ocoee rafting, but it is approached quite differently by both groups. The lead person in a canoe is the one in the front. They determine what direction the canoe needs to go and tell the rear teammate which way to steer. Problems with communication are not uncommon. In a raft, the burden of control is assumed equally by all members, who must constantly work in tandem to keep the watercraft stable and from turning upside down. The water conditions are usually much more aggressive as well, and that only emphasizes the importance of supportive teammates.