How Is It Made? Jamaican River Rafts Built for Durability and Enjoyment

A recent episode of the Jamaica Observer's "How Dis Mek?" series delves into the craftsmanship behind Jamaica's popular river rafts, offering viewers a close look at the construction of these iconic vessels.

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Each joint on a stalk is essentially an air-filled sealed vacuum, allowing the stalks to float extremely well.

Captain Claude Johnson, a guide on the Martha Brae river, explains the intricate process of building a raft designed for both longevity and enjoyment. Central to the raft's buoyancy are the bamboo stalks used. Johnson reveals that each stalk functions as a sealed vacuum chamber filled with air. This design ensures the raft floats exceptionally well. Even if some joints fail due to age or sun exposure, the raft's integrity remains intact as long as other sealed joints hold.

To construct a raft, captains typically require "a dozen" stalks, which in rafting terminology translates to 14. These are then securely bound together using metal wire. The cost for these materials is approximately $10,000. The "How Dis Mek?" episode, available on all Observer platforms, provides a detailed visual and narrative guide to this traditional building method.

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If some joints pop open, due to age or sun damage, as long as the others remain sealed, the integrity of the raft is maintained.

This exploration of raft construction offers a glimpse into a significant aspect of Jamaica's tourism and leisure industry. It highlights the practical ingenuity and traditional knowledge that underpins one of the island's most recognizable recreational activities, appealing to both locals and visitors.

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To create the raft, captains need a ‘dozen’ stalks, which for rafting means 14, at a cost of $10,000, tied together with metal wire.