[cbobcat49]

I think 15-20 total are going with my group but just myself, Julie, Matt and Shana from the forum.
What's your excuse Brenda?

[Brenda]

Poverty. My Jeep sits idle because it needs a brake job, all the critters are overdue at the vet, two baby showers in the near future...no fun stuff for Brenda any time soon.

[Matt]

I knew I added that smilie for a reason.

[Brenda]

Oh, so you think that you can "double dog dare" me into it? I wish we could go. Mike said that it sounded fun too! The only thing that I would be afraid of is seeing myself in a wetsuit!

[Matt]

Rafting down a river is no day at the beach

Guide Dick Grainger has rafted on some of the most famous rivers in America. The Colorado. The Arkansas. The Gauley. The Cheat. The Hudson.

None compare to the Class VI rapids the Tonawanda, Erie County, resident experienced running the Niagara River gorge in the early 1970s. In 1975, three people drowned, making rafting on the Niagara illegal to this day.

"I was a passenger on the first raft that went down with commercial passengers," said Grainger, 71. "It made the Grand Canyon pale in comparison."

Grainger has been a raft guide for 27 years for Adventure Calls Outfitters, taking people safely down the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park, Cattaraugus Creek in Zoar Valley and the Salmon River in Pulaski.

"I have no fear of the water but I have tremendous respect for it," says Grainger, who has water skied, scuba dived and raced sailboats and hydroplanes in his lifetime.

He likes the coziness of the six-man rafts used at Letchworth and he encourages anyone in reasonably good shape with a sense of adventure to give the sport a try.

"You get much more camaraderie in a small boat," Grainger said. "You get to know everyone and their personalities by the end of the trip."

Here's how to get started:

History: Rafts are one of man's oldest styles of watercraft but they've come a long ways from logs tethered with rope. Today's rafts are made of durable, multi-layered rubber or vinyl that inflate with air. They can comfortably seat one person to more than a dozen.

Whitewater: Rafting down rapids for recreation has been widely popular since the 1970s. Rivers are given a rating so that beginners can safely advance to more challenging water. The International Scale of River Difficulty runs from Class I (very easy) to Class VI (extremely dangerous). New York's top rivers (Black, Hudson, Moose) can reach Class IV and V in spring.

Guide services: Reputable rafting companies provide quality equipment and trained guides. It's the guide's job to steer the raft and maximize the force of each set of rapids while getting the raft safely through without capsizing.

Safety: Passengers should never be under the illusion that whitewater rafting is like a water park ride. Dangers are inherent to a river, from hydraulics — water motion that can stop and swamp a raft — to fallen trees and waterfalls.

What to wear: In spring when the water is still cold, wear wool, fleece or synthetics underneath a wet suit. Footwear can include old sneakers, water shoes or secure sport sandals.

Physical demands: Be prepared for some physical exertion. Those with disabilities can raft with advance arrangements.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/app ... 70336/1007

[Matt]

I'm guessing a wetsuit rental is going to be a must this weekend.

[cbobcat49]

Possibly. High in the mid-60s so we'll see what they recommend. Good news is that it's supposed to rain all week. Bad news is that it's going to continue into Saturday. I did hear one report that it's supposed to clear up in the afternoon.

[cbobcat49]

Perfect rafting weather! If this holds up there's no need for wetsuits. Just wear a t-shirt and shorts.

[Matt]

awesome. I perform best in my daisy-dukes.

[ShanaD]

or your cut-offs

[Matt]

I think I have all the details but the time to meet.

Also I see on their website that wetsuits are mandatory for this date.
what do you wear under a wetsuit?

[cbobcat49]

Yeah.... meet us at the lower falls picnic area at 9:30. Now where did you see that wetsuits are mandatory? If it's above 65, we probably won't need one. If you do end up renting one, you can wear your shirt as you normally would but you'll have to take off your daisy dukes and strip down to your underwear for the bottom. Their wetsuits are kind of... uuuh... tight.

[Matt]

March 22 through June 15 (water levels permitting)...Due to the time of year, wetsuits are mandatory.
somehwere in the middle of this page.

[cbobcat49]

hmmm... I only see that on the Cattaraugus Creek section of the page. If that's in effect for Letchworth it's either a new rule or they haven't enforced it in the past.

[Matt]

yeah it may not apply to letchworth. I'm hoping for t-shirt/shorts. I just picked up a nice pair of columbia water shoes too.