11 River-Rafting Rapids and Safety Tips in Rishikesh

2. Golf Course — Fast-flowing technical waves

The golf course is a short, technical section where waves come fast, and lines matter. The rapid often sits in a Grade II–III bracket but gets punchier during the spring melt. Because the features are close together, you’ll need to respond to guide calls without pausing to watch the scenery. Teams that paddle together through this section avoid broaching and high-angle hits. Guides often position the raft to take the smallest waves and use quick corrective strokes when a wave tries to flip the bow. If you have a nervous paddler in your boat, sit mid-boat where balance is steadier. Helmets and well-secured life jackets are not optional here; the boat can toss you into rocks if mistakes happen. For those interested in technique, notice how experienced guides use short, sharp strokes here instead of long sweeping ones. After the drop, operators usually scout the channel for eddies to regroup, so expect a short pause and a safety check. This video shows why operator skill matters more than price — cheaper trips sometimes skip careful line rehearsals (source: jaypeehotels.com).