Go whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro to feel that thrill of riding the rapids!!! I did it and it's highly recommended. Brave the rapids -it's quite safe as the operators are well-trained and they are one of the pioneers in navigating rapids in the Philippines. In fact, they're the first in the country! But given Mindanao's reputation (thanks to sensationalist newsies), a lot of people don't think that it's safe to do so.
Marketing efforts to promote this adventure activity only became active later on when local shows started rafting and its popularity in the country was further propelled when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went rafting herself in 2002.
I took the opportunity when I went home in Iligan City for 1 week in September 2002. It was the year when my father officially retired and gave a Thanksgiving party, with the whole family there to celebrate it. I hooked up with high school friends and one of them suggested whitewater rafting. So, I and my friend Theresa called the rafting operator to set a schedule and we headed to Cagayan de Oro on September 28th. We joined other 6 guys from Davao who scheduled the adventure activity on the same day.
Since we're all first-timers, we just did the Grades I-IV rapids - the shorter version of the Cagayan de Oro River. We first met up at a McDonald's branch before setting off to our jump-off point which took approx. 45 minutes by road. At the jump-off point, the usual sunblock application, then we're off to a safety briefing.
Safety briefing included the individual provision of safety gears/equipment. Among these gears include flotation devices/lifejackets, rescue ropes, helmets, and first-aid kits. Our cameras and food/drinks were put in a communal dry bag. Once everyone's set, we did a run-through on what we need to go in the event we fall off the raft --- we're supposed to just relax and drift along the rapids, not fight it off and grab/hold on to something (rock or anything) and the raft will just go after us.
It was an exciting 4-5 hour experience. We traversed different types of rapids and our guides/navigators were very good at naming certain rest-stops and rapids and told us a lot of stories to make our 'ride' more fun. We have the 'snake peek' so-called because certain periods of the year, snakes 'sun' themselves on rocky outcrops/walls/overhangings.
We have the 'coward's way' versus the 'kiss the wall' rapids: 2 forks in the river to choose, you either want the more exciting rapids - head left and 'kiss the wall' or if you want an easy ride, head right to 'coward's way,' etc. We of course took the 'kiss the wall' rapids :)
We swam on the river, drifting along the river's strong currents, swam across the river to reach a rock in the middle of it and even attempted to cross very strong rapids as a 'human chain.'
Our last stop was to climb a huge rock located right in the middle of the river. We anchored our 2 rafts on the right side where the rapids slow. Then we climb the rock and everyone's to jump off one by one off the 'Graduation Rock.' It took me a while and a lot of encouragements from the rest of the group, before I finally jumped. That was FUN!!!
To give you ideas on whitewater rapids - it's rated on a I-VI scale. These grades indicate the level or degree of difficulty based on a 'normal' level of water. It's a bit subjective though as no two rapids are the same and same goes for rivers and the people who go rafting on it. General descriptions below:
(1) Class I - easiest based on a fast-moving water wth nonexistent or very small waves (it's like floating easily)
(2) Class II - this is based on an easy-moderate fast-moving water with small-medium sized waves with bits of obstacles. Rafters can now start to have fun and get 'splashed'
(3) Class III - now the rapids become exciting, alternating moderate-exciting rapids and you start to encounter more and more waves that start to get bigger but unpredictable. Rafters now also need to keep a sharp eye out for obstacles which can be really tricky and can capsize a raft
(4) Class IV - now it's EXCITING with longer rapids with lots of boulders/obstacles that now require strategy and precise maneuvers. Rafters/guides now need to scout from shore first before rafting (mandatory)
(5) Class V - we come to the difficult portion characterized with uninterrupted violent and massive rapids that now require complex maneuvers. The mandatory on-shore scouting becomes very difficult as well
(6) Class VI - this level is unrunnable as generally considered and what rafters call 'the navigation limit' which is very hazardous
Exploring Cagayan de Oro River's treacherous curves and turns amid spectacular scenery and vegetation is definitely awesome --- TRY IT!!!
! Yep, don't be fooled by other travelers telling you that the 'stairways to heaven' are right there in front of you when you step out of your hotel or lodge in the town of Banaue. There are terraces around town of course! Very picturesque as well. But if you're looking for the majestic terraces that rises way above low-lying clouds, better prepare for a loooooooong & arduous trek on the Cordilleras.
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