a French term for carrying. A portaged rapid is where the boater lands and carries the boat around the hazard. (In many cases, a lower rated rapid may give a better "ride" to kayakers or rafters, while a Class V may seem relatively tame. However, it is not so much the "ride," but the inherent danger in the rapid. An exciting rapid may have minimal risk, while a seemingly simply rapid may have terminal hydraulics, undercut rocks, etc.)

A rapid's grade is not fixed, since it may vary greatly depending on the water depth and speed of flow.