Put Rafting on the Bucket List… Ontario Seniors Club Ideas

Senior clubs can enjoy a day of rafting within one hour of Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Burlington and Toronto. The rafting location is on the Grand River near Paris, Ontario. The boat launch and exit points are bus-friendly. There is a portable washroom, picnic tables and a beautiful park setting overlooking the river.

The Grand River itself is beautiful. It is clear and averages about 2-3 feet in depth. There deeper pools to swim in on hot summer days. The river has easy rapids, offering a bit of fun thrill. The rapids are not like the whitewater on television. On the Grand River rapids the rafts simply glide over… the people stay dry.

For traveling down the Grand River, the self-bailing rafts are the best. These boats are user friendly for seniors. Getting in and out of the inflated rafts is as easy as sitting down and swinging in the legs. Some lively seniors walk up the rafts and flop in with laughter. The air inflated seats are comfortable. The spacious rafts hold 6-7 seniors plus a guide. These boats are so stable that seniors can stand up and exchange places. There is no danger of tipping.

For non-swimmers these boats are the perfect and safe way to enjoy the river. The guides are very good at creating an atmosphere of ease. Non-swimmers always start off timid. But after a half hour they forget they are even on the water. Confidence is gained and enjoyment maximized!

It is the idea of paddling a river which makes the event an adventure. There is an excitement of "we can do it" when seniors prepare to launch. As the rafts slip into the water, the panoramic view catches the attention of all. There is life here. An abundance of geese, blue herons, soaring hawks, vultures and darting kingfishers. The rafts become hushed as they drift by forests of serenading songbirds.

The tall bluffs, rockery and lush forests are a delight to see after a world of cement. Unique to rafting is that in a raft people see things together. The conversation is like sitting around a kitchen table… only the scenery is changing. People can paddle or relax; there is no rush for the end. Soaking in sun, space and timelessness is good medicine for the soul.

Seniors are delighted when they pull up beside springs of cold water. Everyone wants to dump out their bottles and taste the real thing. They are amazed at the coldness and how their bottles mist. But even better… the delicious taste of untreated water.

Along the way the guides pull out a "Joe Bushman Quiz" and each raft is challenged to find the answers on fish & wildlife, native history and facts… this is a fun group experience with amusing answers.

There is an open gypsum mine along the shore from the 1800’s. A talk is done on the mining techniques, a miner’s life and where the gypsum went. Further down each guide stops for a hike to a lookout where medicinal and edible plants are pointed out. People get to see poison ivy and stinging nettle. The lookout is lunch time with a grandeur view of the valley. A talk with questions and answers on the extinct Neutrals is a highlight discussion.

From here, the rafts drift down the river with story-sharing by the guides. At Whiteman’s Creek there is a stop to feel the coldness of the spring fed trout waters. There is a teaching on the Native and European settlements that were here. Some daring seniors even plunge into the creek with whoops of exhilaration!

At the exit point is the opportunity for seniors to get out and float down the easy river in their life jackets. This is called body surfing. Often small groups join hands together for a lazy ¼ mile float. The enjoyment of just laying back in a river is the talk of the day.

At the raft exit there are washroom facilities. There are actually two exit points on the trip. The spirit of the group determines whether the guide will shorten or lengthen the adventure. The goal is always to enjoy the day… not endure it!

Click here for more info on Senior's Rafting Trips
Discover the beauty of rafting the Grand River in Sourthern Ontario.