What to Buy and Bring for a Rafting Trip

A rafting trip needs more than rafts and paddles. Plan food and drinks for the time on the water plus the hours around the launch and pickup points, and keep every essential item dry. Waterproof barrels, dry bags and phone cases prevent a small splash from ruining the day. Use this list to check practical supplies, shared equipment and personal items before loading the transport.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Raftsqty 3
Paddlesqty 24
Life jacketsqty 24
Helmetsqty 24
Throw linesqty 3
Whistlesqty 6
Waterproof barrelsqty 6
Waterproof phone casesqty 6
Dry bagsqty 24
Thermal labelsqty 6
Towelsqty 24
Rubber bootsqty 24
Sunglass cordsqty 24

Equipment

Mobile phonesqty 3
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Thermos flasksqty 3

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 24
Party tentqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable bowlsqty 30
Reusable cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Bottle openersqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Food containersqty 12

Cleaning

Hand soapqty 3
Disinfecting gelqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Bucketsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4
Headlampsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Tortilla wraps - 36 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 600 gram
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 600 grams
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Apples - 24 pieces
- Bananas - 24 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Lemon juice - 1 bottle
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Tips

Pack at least one dry bag or waterproof barrel for each group carrying clothing, food or electronics. Label bags with thermal labels so they can be identified quickly at the staging area.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add more for the rest of the trip and the journey home. Chill what fits in the coolers and keep drinking water separate from food.
Bring one towel and a complete change of dry clothing per participant, stored in waterproof luggage. Rubber boots and sunglass cords are easy to overlook but useful around the launch point.
Charge mobile phones before departure and take power banks in waterproof phone cases. If you need extension cords or power strips at the staging area, pack them before loading the food and drinks.
Count reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery against the final participant list, not the original registrations. Add serving platters, tongs and cutting boards so food can be prepared and served without unpacking kitchen equipment later.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy for a rafting trip?: Plan for two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then add one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water for the drive and the time before launch.
What should I pack to keep my phone dry while rafting?: Use one waterproof phone case per person who needs access to a phone, and keep backup phones and power banks in a dry bag or waterproof barrel. Test every case before leaving, not at the river.
How many towels and changes of clothes do I need for rafting?: Pack one towel and one complete dry change of clothes per participant. Store each set in waterproof luggage and prepare it before the transport is loaded.
When should I buy food and chill the drinks for a rafting trip?: Buy non-perishable food and check the shared equipment at least one day before departure. Chill drinks the evening before, then load coolers and ice packs after the weather and reservation have been confirmed.

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