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SCMP Reporter

'WE learn by experiment', was how one employee described training procedures at Arha Bali Rafting, the company involved in the New Year's Day accident which left three Hong Kong tourists dead.

'Every river is different, you can only learn by working on it,' said the trainer, Putra, 21.

Learn by experiment we did.

Myself, a Scottish couple, and two middle-aged Australian women were nursing our bruises after an eventful, 11/2-hour ride down the Unda River in eastern Bali.

Aside from the Scottish couple, who made their rafting debut in a trip with Arha last week, the expedition was a first for us all.

None of the others were aware of Monday's tragedy.

Before we set off, the guide gave a safety talk. This covered how to hold the paddle, not to use it to push off rocks, how to float if you fell out and the meaning of the orders he would be giving during the ride.

It took about five minutes. This compared to the standard safety talk, which rafting sources say usually takes 15 or more minutes for a short trip and 45 minutes to an hour for a long one.

Our talk also did not cover what to do if the boat capsized, how to bring the boat back to balance, how to pull someone back on board, the layout of the river and what surprises to expect.

The guide then told us to take off our shoes - most operators recommend at least sandals to avoid mashed feet on the river's rocky floor.

Without any warmup practice, we set off. The first 20 minutes went smoothly.

The rapids began to pick up speed but rather than paddling into them as is standard we were told simply to 'hold on'.

 Some rapids we hit side on - which rafting sources say is the best way to capsize - and others we went into backwards.

 Then came the inevitable. The boat began entering the most formidable rapid yet.

 Again we were just 'holding on'. Rather than ploughing through nosefirst, the boat spun sideways, hit a rock and capsized.

 The Scotsman and myself were in the bow and were thrown onto the rocks. The others ended up midstream.

 One of the Australians said she got stuck under the upturned dinghy and came close to panic.

 I came out with a cut the length of my right forearm and nicks out of my left big toe. The Scotsman cut his knee and bruised his lower back.

 'Sorry, sorry,' said the guide.

 'Sorry, sorry,' said his colleagues when they finally arrived. They were taking a rest downriver.

 We had a short break further downstream in which one of the backup rafters told us there had been an accident this week in which five boats had overturned.

 'But everyone was okay,' he said.



Tourists learn the hard way with Bali raft tragedy firm