Class 1:Easy
Moving water with occasional
small rapids. Few or no obstacles.
Class 2: Moderate
Small rapids with regular
waves. Some maneuvering required but
easy to navigate.
Class 3:Difficult
Rapids with irregular waves and hazards
that need avoiding. More difficult
manicuring required but routes are
normally obvious. Scouting from the
shore is occasionally necessary.
Class 4:Very
difficult
Large rapids that require
careful manicuring. Dangerous hazard.
Scouting from the shore is often necessary
and rescue is usually difficult. Kayakers
should be able to roll. Turbulent
water and large irregular waves may
flip rafts. In the event of a mishap
there is significant risk of loss,
damage and/ or injury.
Class: 5 extremely
difficult
Long and very violent rapids
with servere hazards. Continuous,
powerful, confused water makes route
finding difficult and caution from
the shore is essential. Rescue is
very difficult or impossible and in
the event of a mishap there is a significant
hazard to life.
Class 6: Nearly impossible
Difficulties of class 5 carried to
the extreme of navigability. Might
possibly (but not probably) be run
a team of experts at the right water
level, in the right conditions, with
all possible safety precautions, but
still with considerable hazard to
life.