ABC of Rafting News Feed

Canadian Rafting Championship on August 7-8

This year's Canadian Rafting Championship will be held at the Rouge River from August 7 to 8. Check-in for all participating teams will happen on the 7th, with a Welcome Cocktail at 8 p.m. Qualification Heat will start off the day's events on the 8th, scheduled as early as 8 a.m. Dinner and a Music Show will finish off the two-day rafting challenge and display of strength.

The 2008 Canadian Rafting Championship will include two sprints, slalom, and down river rafting. Participating teams must form a lineup of 6 - 7 individuals, consisting of six paddlers and one substitute. Rafts will be provided by the organizers, with free camping for all participants. Registration for the event costs $200 per team.

For more details on the 10th Canadian Rafting Championship, visit www.azurrafting.com.

Conservation Partnership to Protect Rivers

Portland, OR - For the third consecutive year, River Network and Busch beer are partnering to protect rivers in Oregon and Washington. As environmental concerns continue to rise, it becomes increasingly important to maintain the health of our region's rivers, which are a major source of water for drinking, industry, agriculture, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat. With a grant from Busch beer, River Network will provide services and technical training to nearly 100 grassroots organizations in the Northwest to help improve local water protection and restoration efforts in hundreds of communities in both states.

To celebrate outdoor recreation on our rivers, River Network and Busch beer will award 24 lucky winners with rafting adventure trips on the Skagit, Wenatchee, and White Salmon rivers in Washington, and the Deschutes and Upper Klamath rivers in Oregon, plus offer a guided fishing trip in Oregon. From now through August 15, 2008, adults 21 and older may register online at www.buschwhitewater.com for a chance to win these premium Northwest adventures. Anheuser-Busch wholesalers and retailers throughout both states are supporting the program with Busch in-store displays that direct adult consumers to the website to register.

As part of this partnership, Busch beer will also fund on-the-ground restoration and cleanup projects on each of these five great rivers. River Network will work with its dozens of community partners to select and implement these projects throughout the coming year.

When people drink water from a river or reservoir, pull a fish or two from their favorite fishing hole or enjoy a river float on a hot summer day, they might not give much thought to the challenges communities face to protect these resources.

"River Network believes that strong community-based groups are our best opportunity to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, streams, estuaries, and watersheds," says Don Elder, president of River Network. "We are grateful that Anheuser-Busch and Busch beer continue their support to help preserve our precious waters for all people, wildlife, and future generations, and we strongly believe this financial investment will pay great long-term dividends to the citizens of Oregon and Washington."

"We are pleased to work with River Network to create awareness about the importance of protecting our water resources and particularly proud to support community-based projects on these amazing rivers," said Charlie Hodges, Busch beer product manager for Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "For more than 100 years, our company has had a rich tradition of protecting the environment, including our water resources, so that future generations will be able to enjoy them just as we do."

About River Network:
For 20 years, River Network has provided organizational, technical, and networking assistance to people working for watershed protection at the local, state, and regional levels. In addition to that, River Network serves as a catalyst and coordinator for major projects, such as this one, that require national leadership and collaboration among widely separated organizations and agencies. With more than 700 partner groups in all 50 states and beyond, River Network is helping to build a powerful new watershed protection movement in the United States. To learn more about River Network, visit www.rivernetwork.org.

About Anheuser-Busch:
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. In addition to Busch beer, the company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country's best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2008. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans, and one of the world's largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

For additional information on this partnership, or to schedule an interview with River Network, please call Matt Burke at 503-542-8383 or email Matt at mburke @ rivernetwork.org. (PRWEB)

Go Rafting, Kayaking in Fort Collins, Colorado

FORT COLLINS, Colorado - Located in northern Colorado, about an hour north of Denver, Fort Collins is attracting more tourists this year, thanks to its affordability for singles and families. Often used as a "base camp", Fort Collins allows the flexibility of exploring the Front Range region, including Poudre River Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Cheyenne Frontier Days.

A variety of lodging at prices everyone can afford is the big draw according to Cathy Jones, marketing director of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau. Affordability coupled with the best outdoor recreation such as kayaking, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting creates a perfect vacation, Jones says. Folks can spend a weekend here and only pay $60-120 for lodging and $5-50 per person for a meal. Camping in the Roosevelt National Forest under starry skies (altitude - 5,800 to 10,000 ft.) along the Cache la Poudre River is another option for under $15 a night and 14 campgrounds available.

"Colorado families can enjoy a mini-vacation and discover northern Colorado," Jones says. "Rising gas prices don't need to keep you at home this summer and it's nice to know your state. Some people never visit neighboring towns or regions. This year, everyone should make it a point. You don't need to go far to find the best adventure vacation."

Colorado's only nationally designated wild and scenic river is the Cache La Poudre River and it's also the state's premier kayaking river that boasts dozens of short runs. Cycling and tubing are popular activities, as well as the thriving music scene in Old Town. Trendy shopping in Old Town Square or tickets to the Fort Collins Symphony or a Broadway play in the city's 1,180-seat Lincoln Center are other options.

"Some people may just want to come for the new fiberglass horses, painted by local artists and on display around town," Jones says. "Fort Collins also is the second largest producer of beer in Colorado and home to many award-winning ales. Brewery tours are available."

Children will enjoy the Swetsville Zoo for free or opt for the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Fort Collins Museum. For a small fee, The Farm petting zoo or the Discovery Science Center is open. The trolley and the children's train in City Park round out a visit.

For more information on lodging and activities, visit www.ftcollins.com or call 1-800-274-3678.

Source:
www.atmstravelnews.com

ROW Adventures Sponsors Event to Combat Cancer

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - ROW Adventures, an Idaho-based adventure travel company, is hosting a breast cancer awareness fundraising event on August 10 on the Clark Fork River. The first annual rafting trip is limited to 100 participants and 50 percent of all proceeds go directly to the Coeur d'Alene affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Raft for the Cure - Coeur d'Alene is a whitewater day trip through the Alberton Gorge section of Montana's Clark Fork River. ROW Adventures provides all necessary gear, professional whitewater rafting guides, riverside lunch, transportation to and from the river from Superior, Montana, and an event t-shirt for all participants.

The Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork River is an easy to intermediate stretch of river with roller coaster waves and Class II-III rapids. The river flows through a deep, isolated canyon and is a great introduction to whitewater rafting. The trip is ideal for families with children ages five and up.

"I've wanted to organize an event like this for a while," said Peter Grubb, founder of ROW Adventures. "It's an opportunity to float a beautiful stretch of river with friends and family, knowing that half the trip price will help fight breast cancer in our local communities. I'm happy to support this cause and look forward to making this rafting trip an annual event."

Event Details: Raft for the Cure - Coeur d'Alene

Where: Alberton Gorge on the Clark Fork River
When: August 10, 2008
Price: $100.00
Minimum Age: five (5) years
Includes: Full day on the river, riverside lunch, professional whitewater guides, all river gear, event t-shirt, transportation to and from river the river from Superior, Montana
Trip limited to first 100 reservations

The trip's meeting point is two hours east of Coeur d'Alene in Superior, Montana. Help fight breast cancer while whitewater rafting a beautiful stretch of river. Call (208)765-0841 or email info@rowadventures.com to reserve your seat today.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Coeur d'Alene
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. The organization's mission is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cure. The Coeur d'Alene affiliate was founded in 1999 and has raised over $500,000 through fundraising events.

About ROW Adventures
Since 1979, ROW Adventures has been sharing the excitement of adventure travel with guests from around the world. With an eclectic collection of destinations that span the continents, our adventures are artfully crafted, meticulously organized, and enthusiastically conducted. Whether you're whitewater rafting in Idaho, yachting in Croatia, barging in France or exploring the Galapagos Islands, you'll benefit from our deep experience and responsible travel ethics. For more information, please call 1-800-451-6034.

Source:
www.atmstravelnews.com

Storytelling, White Water Rafting in California

LOTUS, CA - White water rafting in Northern California is for everyone and California is the place to go. Whitewater Rafting is safe and fun. Bring the whole family on a Family Storytelling trip on the South Fork of American River. Every Thursday-Friday from the last week on June through August, families gather at Mariah's beautiful riverside campground for two days of rafting, camping, meals and entertainment by local storytellers. Join other families for wet and wild fun, evening campfire, excellent food, and peaceful outdoor camping. Make new friends, have fun with the family!

Mariah Wilderness Expeditions prides itself on being the first rafting company to offer a special series of rafting trips for the whole family on the South Fork of the American River. Join other families with kids for a unique outdoor adventure that is sure to bring fun and excitement to your time together. A skilled storyteller, Rodney Earle Bland, who dresses the part of a saddle tramp, gives guests a piece of history with real authenticity. He often can be found "standin' around bee-essin' with the tourists and gettin' my picture took". Each Thursday throughout the summer, kids of all ages gather together for hors d'oeuvres with captivating stories and exciting tales right on the river. What a way to celebrate summer!

As one of California's premier rafting companies, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions offers raft trips on the South Fork, Middle Fork, and North Fork of the American River, plus the Merced, Kings, Cherry Creek, and Tuolumne Rivers. The South Fork, a consistent Class III whitewater river, is most popular for families and groups. Mariah has designed a special two-day rafting, two-night camping trip for families. Professional storytellers spin yarns and weave tales during lunches, on the river, and at campfires. Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, 510/233-2303; or visit on the web: www.mariahwe.com.

Source:
travelvideo.tv