Gradering

Grad I:

LETT. Regelmessig strøm og små bølger. Enkle hindringer. Oversiktlig løypevalg. (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy." AWA

Grad II:

MIDDELS VANSKELIG. Uregelmessig strøm og bølger. En del hindringer og små terskler, men greit løypevalg. Store rolige bakevjer (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed." AWA

Grad III:

VANSKELIG. Høye, uregelmessige og brytende bølger. Sterk strøm og enkelte valser, virvler og sopper. Tildels blokkert og med enkelte terskler. Veivalget ikke alltid åpenbart (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims." AWA

Grad IV:

MEGET VANSKELIG. Lange, sammenhengende stryk med kraftige brytende bølger. Kraftige valser, sopper og virvler. Mange hindringer og uoversiktlig løypevalg. Synfaring oftest nøftest nødvendig (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require ``must'' moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong Eskimo roll is highly recommended." AWA

Grad V:

EKSTREMT VANSKELIG. Voldsomme stryk med brytende bølger og store valser, høye terskler og trange blokkeringer. Synfaring alltid nødvendig (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable Eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival." AWA

Grad VI:

GRENSEN FOR FARBARHET Forbundet med stor fare. Selv eksperter unngår slike stryk (Nils Flakstad og Leif Ongstad (1987): "Elvepadling").

"Class VI: Extreme. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favourable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run." AWA