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Before You Canoe or Kayak the Grand River... A Guided Raft Trip Might Be Wiser.
by Garth Pottruff
New rivers mean new surprises... and rafting can remove unpleasant events. A raft trip allows people to observe the river in safely and decide if this is a future canoe/kayak trip for them. In fact choosing to raft the Grand River as a first time experience is wise.
Canoeing or kayaking the Grand River is enjoyable when someone knows what to expect. But first-timers have many questions. How fast is the current? How deep is the river? Is my friend too big or my children too young? Are there dangers I can't see? Being anxious and entering a river tends to create mistakes and accidents. A simple solution is to raft the Grand River with a guide.
There are many benefits with doing a guided rafting trip. First, with rafting skill, size, age and agility are not a concern. The raft allows everyone to observe the river, its depth and its speed with leisure and safety. The local guides can point out any hazards and the best channels to be in. Guides can warn about dangerous wave objects that look like inviting splash. People also discover places to explore; they get a definite feel for how long the trip is and what the ending point looks like. They also learn about alternative exits on the river if there is a problem or sudden storms. Going with a guide is like tapping into a seasoned mountain of advice.
Rafting is the gateway to canoeing or kayaking on the Grand River. People are able to gain and glean information needed to do a trip. Rafting allows the advantage of being able to observe first hand, ask questions and see solutions. The final result is that fears diminish and confidence is gained.
People become comfortable in a new environment where they know what to expect and what they have to do. Having those ingredients creates an enjoyable paddle for anyone wishing to canoe or kayak the Grand River on their own.
Garth Pottruff does rafting in Paris, Ontario. He offers learning rafting adventures on the Grand River and Nith River teaching native history and edible plants. Garth also does guided canoe and kayak trips on the Grand River, along with on-river-instructional kayak and canoe lessons in Paris. Visit him at www.grandriverrafting.ca
