Get Real! – A man-made rafting park and Whitewater Rafting on the river are not the same
I was with some friends recently and the subject of vacations came up. I asked if they had ever been whitewater rafting and their response was, “oh, yeah, I’ve been to that rafting park… it was okay”. I could not hide my shock and disappointment. And that’s what prompted my musings.
Just okay? As the current AT&T commercials say, just okay is NOT okay. To compare whitewater rafting on the river to a man-made rafting “park” is simply inconceivable. There is truly no comparing the two experiences – I mean, get real!
From the anticipation on the bus ride to the river, to the butterflies in your tummy above each rapid, to the surge of adrenaline during each class V+ rapid and the pure satisfaction and joy of accomplishment, not to mention conquering your fears – whitewater rafting just does not compare to a concrete slalom course that’s one notch above a lazy river. Not that there’s anything wrong with going to a water park, just know that it is not (I repeat, NOT) the same as going whitewater rafting.
Discover one more reason why West Virginia is #Almost Heaven.
Heather Johnson, has worked in the rafting industry since 1982. She and her husband, Rick, own River Expeditions – the area’s only family owned adventure outfitter. There they are surrounded by a team of like-minded professionals who share their passion for adventure and encourage guests to discover the best of West Virginia each day.