Water sports are popular this time of year, with body rafting being the most extreme. Photo: Courtesy of Cao Xingguo

Along the steep valley in the Malahe Scenic Spot, Hunan Province, it is not uncommon to see bodies whipped down the rapid flowing river past rocks and fallen logs, with nothing but a life vest to keep them afloat. Grace Liang, 22-year-old and trying the sport of body rafting for the first time, is one of those partly submerged bodies, having what she would later describe as "one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life."

Body rafting, a new type of high risk rafting that requires people to float directly down river without using a kayak, has been gaining popularity among Chinese youths like Liang, who are adrenaline fuelled and fearless in nature.

"I don't even know how to swim but I think it's exciting and I like to challenge myself," said Liang, who during the river course jumped off a 10-meter tall cliff into the depths of a whirl pool below; only resurfacing around 30 seconds later by the help of her life vest.

The whole trip took Liang three hours and cost around 100 yuan ($16). In such a physical sport, it is no surprise that she received bruises to her legs, hips and arms from crashing into riverbanks and large boulders. But they are "no big deal" in this woman's eye.

 Cao Xingguo, founder of the Yufu Outdoor Club that organized the body rafting event, said that body rafting has steadily become more popular in China since it was first introduced back in 2010.

"It's different from boat rafting in that people get more enjoyment when floating down the river themselves. They get a sense of conquering nature," says Cao, who has close to 100 people every week joining him for body rafting.

However, such a demanding sport like rafting is not without its dangers, and it goes far beyond the bumps and bruises sustained by Liang. According to Xinhua News Agency, a man drowned last month when rafting with his friends in Tiantai county, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. Severe injuries are more common in the summer months, as water sports receive a surge in popularity and often among inexperienced youths.

Cao noted that despite life vests, participants should at least wear helmets and wrist supports to protect themselves, and even consider rafting with a professional guide at first.

"We all want to enjoy body rafting, but it's important to be aware of the potential risks like drowning, floods and low temperatures in the valley which can be dangerous," cautioned Cao.

According to Cao, body rafting is not all about crashing down rapids and avoiding river debris.

"In some places the water is too shallow to float and participants need to stand up and walk," said Cao. "You can always go ashore and rest before returning to the water to float."

In addition to body rafting, another new form of rafting becoming popular called Yepiao, takes place on rivers outside nature reserves. Zhu Hui, an outdoor activities fan and tour guide, believes Yepiao to be a more enchanting way to drift down stream on a raft without the stress of body rafting.

"Sometimes people just prefer to raft down the Yellow River or Yangtze River, which can take several days. People can bring their tents and camp during the night. It's a more relaxing drawn-out trip," said Zhu.

The costs of undertaking such long trips are similiar in price to body rafting too, with only 100 yuan a day to rent the raft and the basic equipment like a helmet. However, Zhu is quick to point out that knowledge of rafting is essential in order to reduce the risks of injury.

"It's important for people to master the basic knowledge, like the depth and natural current of the water before going rafting alone. It can be dangerous," said Zhu.