What:             Whitewater rafting in the Kern River Where:          Lake Isabella, California (one hour north of Bakersfield) How Long:   One-day Class:              Class II, III, IV Outfitter:     Chuck Richards Whitewater (Defunct)

In SoCal, whitewater rafting in the Kern River is where you’ll experience choppy waves smashing past boulders and fallen trees. The Kern River begins in the headwaters near Mt. Whitney and is diverted for agriculture across the San Joaquin Valley. Find a solid outfitter to guide you down a harrowing one-day journey through Class III rapids on the Upper Kern.

Kern River | Running the Lickety Split | Man Overboard! | Water Fight | Whitewater River Rapid Classifications

Kern River

On a fiercely hot summer day, my dad, mom, sister, and I arrive at Lake Isabella on the Kern River. We grab life jackets and paddles. Then we haul the heavy raft past a pine tree grove to the edge of the murky green Kern. With paddles up – clack, clack, clack – off we go. I cling to the port side of the raft with most of my weight resting on my left butt cheek. Some of my dad’s coworkers are sitting on the starboard side of the raft. The ice-cold water is a refreshing relief from the sun’s oppressive rays.

Running the Lickety Split

Today, we are running a section of the Kern they call the Lickety Split. The whitewater on this stretch has a Class III rating, with occasional doses of Class IV thrown in. With our certified river guide at the helm barking out orders, this trip is going to be a blast.

Shortly after the launch, the river current awakens. The raft rocks gently forward and backward and side to side. A couple of furious waves splashes everyone on the raft. I brace my left knee firmly while fighting to stay in the boat.

All of a sudden, the river picks up some extreme speed. Then, jaws drop as the water instantly turns white. The newly blanched rapids start to foam and froth. In response, the raft lurches violently and abruptly in unexpected directions. We have categorically angered the guardians of the river as the trees and shrubs appear to be a green blur.

Our guide immediately stops telling us about misadventures of his misspent youth on the Kern River. Now he is shouting commands in rapid-fire fashion. Directly in front of the raft is a boulder where the water forms a hole. The obstacle draws the raft in like a magnet. We all have to back paddle as hard as possible, while the guide steers the raft out of trouble. Without this maneuver, the boat would have wrapped around the rock like taffy within seconds.

At a calm section, we lift the raft out of the river and carry it back to the roadside. A bus takes us up river and we perform another run of the Lickety.

For lunch, we enjoy scrumptious cold cut sandwiches and cold drinks.

Man Overboard!

On the last run of the day, the water spirits express their displeasure by unleashing unbridled fury upon hapless passengers. The untamed rapids on this stretch are really boiling and bubbling. This river run is like a wild roller coaster ride – with flips, rattling, and jarring turns. The raft takes an unexpected lunge and our side of the raft receives a strong jolt. This shock sends me sailing uncontrollably into the bubbling broth. “Man Overboard!” For a few seconds, I am pretty much helpless to the whims of the natural elements. All I can do is relax and wait until the raft picks me up.

I open my eyes and another whitewater wave whips past the top of my head. I am on my back and swiftly careening downstream. The water churns at every angle and roars like thunder. My head dunks underwater for a few harrowing moments and when I resurface the raft is heading toward me. I avoid some boulders. An outstretched hand appears and like that I am back on the raft.

Water Fight

As the raft approaches the Fairview Dam, this marks the end of the adventure. We use our paddles to splash the other rafts and then they naturally retaliate. We emerge victorious from the epic naval battle and repeat the clapping of paddles. As we load the raft, I leave a damp trail of prints from my wet tennis shoes.

Whitewater River Rapid Classifications

Class I: Easy	Flat water with some ripples; a swimming pool with current.
Class II: Novice	Larger waves but no obstacles, straight lines, easy splashing, and tame.
Class III: Intermediate	Longer and rougher rapids. Maneuvering is necessary in heavy waves and around obstacles.
Class IV: Advanced	Steeper, longer drops, looming obstacles, technical turns, precision movements, occasional “swimmers”.
Class V: Expert	Rafting, transcended to the limits of control. Crews must be agile, aggressive, and follow commands instantly. Should be physically and mentally prepared for adventure and inherent risk. While not absolutely required, we strongly suggest that everyone has happily experienced class 4 rapids before tackling class 5. Make no mistake, this is big, tough and difficult water.
Class VI: Extreme and Exploratory	Or, at the very best, survived only with a choir band of angels perched in your lap! Hiding under the bed is safer!