Getting into deep water

More than 1,200 rafters competed in the island's largest international rafting race last weekend, making their way down the 22km rafting stretch on the Siouguluan River, in Hualien county. PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST COAST NATIONAL SCENIC AREA ADMINISTRATION

Professional and amateur rafters from around the world found relief from the heat last weekend while competing in the International Siouguluan River Rafting Race, which marked the official opening of the whitewater-rafting season in Taiwan.

Some 200 rafts including crews from the US, France, Singapore, Japan and Australia made their way down a 22km stretch of the Siouguluan River (秀姑鑾溪) in Hualien County. Descending 65m over more than 20 sets of rapids, paddlers experienced a more dramatic run this year due to heavy rainfall last month.

According to an East Coast National Scenic Area Administration (ECNSAA) representative, Lin Su-ling (林紓琳), the increased water levels produced more intensified rapids compared with the previous two years when a water shortage almost caused the event to be canceled.

The longest river in eastern Taiwan, Siouguluan is also the most commercialized rafting site. Offering some of the island's most attractive scenery, the run begins in Rueisuei cutting through the Coastal Mountain range to finish at Changhong (rainbow) Bridge. While the ocean and mountainous region provide for spectacular views, some experienced rafters find the course too easy.

"It has potential but it's not very demanding. It's definitely the scenery that makes it worth it. It's a beautiful trip, with strange rock formations and palm trees," said Mel Visser a South African national who was asked to perform in a Kayak demonstration before the race began on Saturday.

As a seasoned rafter, he said he prefers more challenging routes, such as Fushan in Wulai, but that Siouguluan provides an ideal place for beginners. The rapids at Siouguluan, depending on the amount of water in the river, range from one to three (based on a scale of one to six, with six being the most difficult to navigate).

The rafting season lasts from April through to October in Taiwan, although it is possible to go any time of the year. Trips on the Siouguluan River depart daily from 7am to 12pm and take three to four hours to complete including a rest stop at Chimei. Depending on the rafting company, prices range from NT$600 to NT$1000 per person and include equipment rental, lunch, insurance, and transportation to and from Hualien City.

The second most popular rafting venue after Siouguluan is the shorter 12km Laonung River (老農溪) in Liugui (六龜), Kaosiung County. Laonung will host its own River International Rafting Race on July 4, with more than 100 crews expected to participate.

Information on transportation, accommodation, and contact numbers of various rafting companies in Hualien county can be accessed online at http://www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw. Information on rafting in Kaosiung county can be obtained by contacting the Maolin National Scenic Area Administration at (07) 6801488. Details on shorter and less commercialized routes in Taipei county are available at http://rafting.hopto.org.