A:
The Grand Canyon uses a different scale for rating rapids, class 1-10. There are some BIG rapids in the Grand Canyon. Here is a quote from a blog I ran across that explains it pretty well. "The rapids in the Grand Canyon are rated on a 1-10 scale. This may seem confusing to whitewater aficionados who have become accustomed to the more universal Class I-VI scale: Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, small drops, might require maneuvering. Class 3: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe a 3–5 ft drop, but not much considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering. Class 4: Whitewater, large waves, long rapids, rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, continuous rapids, large rocks and hazards, maybe a large drop, precise maneuvering Class 6: Whitewater, typically with huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, huge drops, but sometimes labeled this way due to largely invisible dangers. Class 6 rapids are considered hazardous even for expert paddlers using state-of-the-art equipment, and come with the warning “danger to life or limb.” The biggest rapids in the Grand Canyon are Crystal and Lava Falls which are rated anywhere from 7-10 depending on the water level. They have huge waves and require maneuvering. However, especially in Lava Fall’s case, they have a nice recovery zone after the rapid. So on the classic scale these rapids would probably be considered Class IV. Hance, Hermit, Granite, Bedrock, Dubendorff, House Rock, 231-mile, Sockdolager, Grapevine, Specter, and 24-mile rapid would also probably fit into this Class IV rating with most of the other rapids in the Grand Canyon rated at Class III. Grand Canyon rafting is always excititng. The trip I was on didn't have any small children, in fact I think the youngest person was one of the guides who was probably 18. I would check with the outfitter and see what their polices are about children. To some degree you have to be able to swim and self-rescue if you end up in the water.
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