Rafting and
white water rafting are recreational
outdoor activities which use an inflatable
raft to navigate a
river or other body of water. This is often done on
whitewater or different degrees of rough water, and generally represents a new and challenging environment for participants. Dealing with risk and the need for teamwork is often a part of the experience. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s, evolving from individuals paddling rafts with double-bladed paddles to multi-person rafts propelled by single-bladed paddles and steered by a tour guide at the stern. It is considered an
extreme sport, and can be fatal. The
International Rafting Federation](IRF) is the worldwide body which oversees all aspects of the sport.