River Expeditions Announces 2012 Memorial Day Madness White Water Rafting Specials

River Expeditions invites guests to join them on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 26 to Monday May 28, 2012, for a special package featuring an exciting day of whitewater rafting, 3 nights camping, a BBQ cookout and continental breakfast daily.

Memorial Day weekend, from Saturday May 26 to Monday May 28, is a great time to get away from it all to the New River Gorge in beautiful West Virginia. White water rafting outfitter River Expeditions has put together a package for the holiday weekend that features a day-long rafting trip on the scenic New River, a BBQ cookout after rafting, 3 nights of camping at their Adventure Resort, and a light breakfast each morning. Guests can choose to go rafting on Saturday, Sunday or Monday and then take advantage of the abundance of recreational opportunities offered in the area, such as zip lines, horseback riding, fishing and more. There are also plenty of less “adventurous” attractions in the New River Gorge region, including shops, restaurants, parks and historic sites, as well as local museums, galleries and theatre.

“In May, the New River Gorge is beautiful and the weather is great,” says River Expeditions Owner, Rick Johnson. “We put this package together so that friends and families can experience a complete weekend getaway and explore the area. We believe the whitewater rafting trip will be the most exciting part of the visit, but there are plenty of other indoor and outdoor activities to make this 3-day weekend really memorable.”

The New River itself is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic views. Two distinct sections of the river create adventures suitable for everyone including first-time paddlers and seasoned whitewater veterans. The Upper New River is a playful introduction to rafting for families of all sizes and children age 6 and up. This trip offers gentle waves, tranquil pools with a few mild rapids and a glorious glimpse of nature at its best. Here visitors have plenty of opportunities to swim, play, paddle, spot wildlife, take photos and just relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings. The Lower New River Gorge is commonly referred to as ‘The Grand Canyon of the East’. This trip blends classic whitewater excitement with the elements of history and natural beauty to create a truly amazing adventure. Weather temperatures average 71 degrees in May.

White water rafting involves navigating a stretch of river on an inflatable raft. Most trips last about 5-7 hours, including lunch. No experience is necessary on the milder sections of the river. Although being able to swim is helpful, many non-swimmers raft with River Expeditions each year since each guest is given all necessary safety equipment: a Coast Guard approved Type V Life Jacket, Paddle and Helmet.