| Riverboarding is the North American name for a | | | | gloves; additionally, knee pads, shin guards, and |
| watersport in which the participant is prone on the | | | | elbow pads are sometimes worn for extra |
| board with fins on his/her feet for propulsion and | | | | protection. Two wet suits with extra padding |
| steering. This sport is also known as hydrospeed | | | | between them are worn to help you deal with |
| in Europe and white-water sledging in New | | | | boulders. |
| Zealand. | | | | Third- "reading water." Well, as a river guide, I can |
| I have tried bodyboarding in the ocean, on my | | | | tell, that reading water is something that comes |
| trips to Hawaii and California. But I have to tell | | | | with experience. The more you do it, the easier it |
| you, there is absolutely no comparison between | | | | gets (and less frightening). |
| these two sports (actually, I wouldn't even call | | | | Riverboarding is a niche sport. But it's gaining |
| bodyboarding a sport). So, what do you need to | | | | popularity around U.S. Gorge Games on Hood |
| know, before you jump into white water? How is | | | | River, Ore., a multi adventure sport event, started |
| it different from rafting? | | | | promoting riverboarding in 2008. About 1,200 |
| First of all,a river board, which is also known as a | | | | athletes from as far away as Japan and England |
| hydrospeed, resembles a standard body board | | | | competed for $100,000 in cash and prizes in 10 |
| that's used to catch ocean waves, but it's bigger, | | | | extreme sports, including a 24-hour "Adventure |
| thicker, has handles and specifically designed for | | | | Race" and riverboarding, where athletes on a |
| buoyancy in highly aerated water. | | | | boogie-like board took on Class 4 and 5 rapids and |
| Second- clothing gear. Besides standard | | | | waterfalls, with 15- to 20-foot drops. |
| whitewater equipment like wetsuit, PFD, helmet, | | | | |