Whitewater Thrills and Spills

An inflatable raft, a life jacket and a fast-flowing river – this is what the good life is all about. You don’t need to be a daredevil or a thrill-seeker to appreciate the adrenaline rush of whitewater rafting. Sure, you won’t be drifting downstream, leisurely admiring the foliage. Instead, you’ll be hurtling through a rush of water and energy, bumping through the rapids. There’s no denying the risk factor, and as whitewater rafting is always professionally managed with rafters using the best safety equipment, fun and thrills can go together.

Colorado’s Arkansas river is the source of some of the most challenging rafting trips. Here rafts pass through a narrow, rocky, and steep stretch of cold water – rafters need to be experienced and skilled for this one.

However, there are also stretches on the Arkansas river for beginners, especially through Big Horn Sheep canyon. Also known as the ‘Parkdale Run’, it’s a perfect way to begin a family weekend away. Spend half a day rafting, and then take in the sights on a scenic train ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad. You can also opt for a freshly prepared lunch on the banks of the river.

Of course Colorado is not the only destination for a bout of whitewater rafting. Massachusetts, Arizona, Washington, and New York all boast their own unique whitewater adventures.

A whitewater rafting experience makes a great gift for friends, family or partners. There’s the choice of half-day, one-day, and five-day trips, all accompanied by experienced and skilled instructors.

Instead of going to Disneyland, why not spend a day with soaring hawks and bald eagles? Instead of taking your date to dinner, you could be paddling them through rapids and between the towering walls of a canyon.

Why spend a day in the city when you could be riding a cold wave of water?