Whitewater Rafting
Team sport of navigating an inflatable raft down whitewater rapids — sprint, slalom and downriver events.
👥6 per team🌤outdoor
What is Whitewater Rafting?
Whitewater rafting sport is contested in inflatable rafts of four or six paddlers on Class III–V rapids. World championship disciplines are sprint, head-to-head, slalom and downriver. Beyond racing, it is one of the most popular commercial adventure sports on rivers worldwide.
Quick facts
Category
Aquatic Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
6 per team
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Modern rafting emerged 1960s USA (Grand Canyon commercial expeditions)
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-20.verified