ABC of Rafting News Feed

OARS' Trips Offer Adventure Vacation Alternatives

Angels Camp, California - O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) continues its increasingly popular and award-winning Wine on the River & Wilderness Gourmet rafting series in 2008. Trips are planned at the end of August and September on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River and on the Snake River through Hells Canyon, as well as on California's Tuolumne River and the Rogue River in Oregon.

These gourmet whitewater rafting trips are designed especially for those who love wine and the outdoors, and they offer an elegant alternative to typical rafting trips. After a day spent river rafting, hors d'oeuvres are served, premium wines are presented by some of the best vintners in the West, and five-star gourmet meals are prepared riverside.

O.A.R.S.' "Tuolumne Wine on the River Trip" received NBC's Golden Grape Award for their "Best Wine Adventure" last year. As the summer season winds down, the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park has mellowed out to a splashy and slightly warmer Class III-IV rafting trip. Joining the 2�-day, August 24th departure are Stevenot Winery winemaker Kate MacDonald and her husband, Craig, who will present a selection of wines handpicked from their favorite wineries in California and abroad.

Ironstone Vineyard's President and whitewater enthusiast, Stephen Kautz, will present his award-winning wines on August 27th, six-day trip on the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Considered by many to be North America's premier alpine river experience, the Middle Fork boasts non-stop, Class III-IV whitewater, natural hot springs and excellent fishing. The Kautz family is committed to producing wines of exceptional, unparalleled quality, outstanding value, and everyday approachability.

"Stephen and the Kautz family were the inspiration for our Wine on the River series, and the first of many award-winning wineries to bring their labor of love to the river on an O.A.R.S. trip," said O.A.R.S. Marketing and Partnerships Director, Steve Markle. He continued, "They truly believe that the experience of enjoying wine should be experienced by every type of person in a variety of venues."

The Wild and Scenic Rogue River in Oregon sets the stage for O.A.R.S.' annual Wilderness Gourmet culinary expedition with executive chef, Bob Anderson (formerly of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite) and his wife Mary of V Restaurant in Murphys, California. This four-day specialty departure beginning September 1st includes 45 miles of Class III whitewater combined with expert instruction on how to prepare such delectables as black pepper rosemary broiled prawns, pan-seared filet mignon with a Jack Daniel's reduction sauce, seasonal vegetables and porcini risotto, and a variety of other Chef Bob specialties. Wines will include a selection of Bob and Mary's favorite vintages paired perfectly with each evening's meal.

Hells Canyon of the Snake River, the deepest gorge in North America, is home to O.A.R.S.' September 14th Wine on the River five-day adventure. The surging Class III Snake River flows steadily all season long. Robert Wolfe, president of Oregon Pinot Noir Club and former editor of Food & Wine magazine, will present a hand-selected assortment of outstanding Oregon Pinots and other Pacific Northwest varietals. Also joining the trip is Executive Chef Adam Bernstein, owner of the acclaimed Adam's Place Restaurant in Eugene, Oregon which, according to Frommer's, is, "one of the most elegant dining establishments in the city."

For more information on O.A.R.S. gourmet wine and culinary adventures, including a free 84-page color catalog, call O.A.R.S. at 1-800-346-6277, email the company at info@oars.com or visit www.oars.com.

Source:
www.atmstravelnews.com

Celebrate Grandparents' Day through Rafting

West Forks, ME - Grandparents raft for free on Grandparents Day, September 7th, with Magic Falls Rafting Company in West Forks, Maine. Every grandparent, whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River with a grandchild aged 10 and older, will receive a free trip and barbecue. The raft trip rate for youth on Grandparents Day is $59.

Magic Falls Rafting Company owners, Dave and Donna Neddeau, are grandparents themselves. Says Owner Dave Neddeau, "I guide most every day of the season and find that three generation families have the most fun of any of our guests. The kids can't believe their parents and grandparents are so adventuresome."

The Neddeaus founded the rafting company in 1989, dedicating themselves to building a whitewater rafting company that caters to families and the family vacation budget. On-site lodging includes tent sites, cabin tents, a lodge with family bunkrooms, and a housekeeping inn for family reunion groups. Magic Falls Family Overnight adventure includes rafting, inflatable kayaking, a trip to Moxie Falls, a wildlife safari, tent camping, barbecue, dinner, and breakfast over the campfire.

Information on Magic Falls Rafting Company, Grandparents Day, and special family packages is available online at www.magicfalls.com or by calling 1-800-207-7238. Magic Falls is a member of Raft Maine, a professional whitewater outfitters association, the Maine Campground Owners Association and the Maine Tourism Association. (PRWEB)

Source:
www.prweb.com

Surfin' Sunday Competition at ACE Adventure Resort

It's about the thrill of victory. It's the pursuit of excellence. It's bragging rights at its best. Is it an Olympic competition or a world championship? No, it's the annual Surfin' Sunday whitewater rafting competition held at ACE Adventure Resort during Gauley Season. Created by ACE to create some fun competition among guests and guides and recognize exemplary teamwork, there is a team of four ladies from Cincinnati that hope to retain their title this fall.

Team captain Shellie Foust heads up the group who admit they do not raft the Gauley River only to bring home the trophy. "Our team consists of four women: Kelly Vogt, Joni Castle, Kim Patterson, and myself. For the past six years, we've rafted the Gauley on a 'girls' trip. We leave the men at home and rage the water as best friends. When ACE began the Surfin' Sunday event, it became a serious competition for our guide, Casey "Cosmo" Clay, and group... yes, we wanted the shirt!" Gauley Sunday winners receive recognition and an exclusive Surfin' Sunday ACE t-shirt.

Foust defines a perfect Gauley outing as a day on the water with "amazing weather, a great guide, incredible rapids, and fun competition." She defines the team's approach for this year as simply, "We are lovely ladies who like to run and ride the rapids, so we are just going to go out there and be ourselves, work as a team and... Defend Our Title!"

ACE Adventure Resort Marketing Representative and veteran guide Stephen Reid describes the Gauley River fall dam release as 23 parties in 23 days. "The limited fall release makes the Gauley River rafting season one that guests and guides look to each year. During the fall dam release, the river is rated in the top five in the world, and only the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado in North America rivals the West Virginia River for technical difficulty and intense whitewater. Each day on the river is a treat."

The 23-day season begins the first Friday after Labor Day and runs on selected days through October. Each day is a party at ACE with "Festive Fridays", "Sweet Saturdays", "Surfin' Sundays", and "Marathon Mondays" headlining every week of Gauley Season.

For the third year, ACE will host the Surfin' Sunday Competition as groups watch their trip videos and compare notes on their world-class experience. One rafting team from each trip of the day will be crowned champion. Winning teams exemplify group synergy with synchronized paddling and clean rafting lines through each rapid.

While visiting the area, Foust and her team will stay at the full service ACE Adventure Resort. "We haven't met a staff member from ACE that wasn't pleasant to be around. The facilities are top quality." The Cincinnati team wants to put "Cosmo" on alert: they are coming to defend their title and have a huge strategy for this year's competition... but it's a surfin' secret! (Vocus/PRWEB)

Source:
www.prweb.com

Rafting Labor Day Vacation Special on Rogue River

Grants Pass, OR - Join O'Brien's Rogue River Outfitters and capture the breathtaking beauty that is unique to the Rogue River on our full day or half day rafting adventures. Guests may choose to ride along in a 16-foot or 18-foot Rogue Inflatable Raft, paddle their own inflatable kayaks, or even opt to experience both rides by switching back and forth between the raft and kayak. This 15-mile stretch of river has a little bit of everything from exhilarating whitewater to serene canyons to old growth forests to deep river pools perfect for cooling off in the end of the summer heat. O'Brien's Rogue River Outfitters has been rafting the Rogue for three generations and thirty years of guiding experience and had the reputation of "the best guides from any river ever traveled".

The Full Day Rogue River Rafting trip begins at Hog Creek Boat Ramp where guests are immediately whisked into the quiet depths of Hellgate Canyon. This canyon stands timeless and echoes a splendor rarely found so undisturbed. As the trip continues, guests experience the thrill of whitewater rapids at Class I, II, and III on a scale of I-VI. You will see Osprey raising their young and diving for fish. Otter, beaver, muskrat, and deer are also frequently seen and occasionally a black bear will be wandering the bank looking for berries or a salmon to eat. The wide variety of song birds, ducks, geese, and birds of prey along this trip make it a paradise for the Bird Watchers from around the world.

Lunch is served midway through the Full Day Raft Trip along the banks of the river. There is something special packed into a river lunch every day and nobody leaves hungry. The afternoon is filled with more whitewater adventure, occasional water fights, and plenty of picture-taking opportunities. The Full Day Trip ends at Grave Creek Boat Ramp, 15 miles from the starting point. Our guests leave this trip fully relaxed, rejuvenated, and really connected to one another. These trips bring families and friends back to raft the Rogue River in Southern Oregon year after year.

If time is limited, but the river is calling to you, The Half Day Rogue River rafting trip is three hours from beginning to end. If your travels are taking you through Southern Oregon, a Half Day Rafting detour on the river is the perfect respite to break up a long drive and see some of the most beautiful country in Oregon. Join O'Brien's Rogue River Outfitters for an end of the summer whitewater treat. Contact O'Brien's Rogue River Rafting Trips at (541) 476-2404 or on the web at Rogue River Rafting and mention this article for a ten percent discount.

About O'Brien's Rogue River Raft Trips:
If you are traveling with us for a one-day rafting trip, you will have over 30 years of rafting experience guiding you down the Middle Rogue. O'Brien's Rogue River Outfitters are true professionals who have many years of experience running rivers, camping, hiking, and teaching. We have boat operator's licenses issued by the Oregon State Marine Board, first aid cards, and we are trained in CPR. In addition to the licensing required for outfitters, Kari and Tim O'Brien are both licensed teachers in the state of Oregon. We understand what it takes to bring people and the outdoors together for a safe and enjoyable experience. We offer excellence in oarsmanship and river knowledge; we are great with people and have a well-developed sense of adventure. (PRWEB)

Source:
www.prweb.com

Community Raft Race at the Gunnison River Festival

The Gunnison River Festival and River Awareness Week will be held from August 14 to 17. There will surely be a lot of whitewater fun with the newly redesigned Gunnison Whitewater Park in Colorado.

This year's event will start off with a presentation at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts on the 14th. On August 15, the Mountain Gazette's "Celebration of Rivers" and a music concert by the Swing Doctors will be held, happening simultaneously at the Gunnison Arts Center and the Gunnison Valley Observatory. Whitewater action will start on the 16th, with the Opening Ceremonies of Whitewater Park and Whitewater Competitive Races to be held in the morning. The day's races include Teva Freestyle Kayak Rodeo, Captain Black Whitewater Challenge, and Mountain Fireplace Specialists' Foamy Boat Race, to be followed by numerous games and activities for children and live music from Chris Coady. Scenic River Tours and Three Rivers Resort's Community and Competitive Raft Races will also take place on the 15th. Free workshops on environmental awareness will conclude the festival.

For more details, visit www.gunnisonriverfestival.com.