Ontario Red Hat Society Rafts the Grand River without Fear… A Nearby Toronto Event for All.

Feb. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- Ontario’s Red Hat Society Rafts the Grand River without Fear… A Nearby Toronto Event for All.

Just outside of Toronto, the Red Hat Societies can enjoy a day of leisure rafting on the beautiful Grand River. The rafts hold up to 7 people plus a teaching guide. And everyone can do it!

Red Hats and rafting are a perfect fit. The Red Hat Society in Ontario is often looking for opportunities where women can do and learn things together. And leisure rafting down the Grand River is the answer. These rafts allow women regardless of age or size to participate in drifting down the river in safety and in comfort.

The rafts are easy to get into… some walk in, some flop in… there is no raft etiquette. When on the water people can stand up in the rafts and change places. The inflated air seats are comfortable. But the fact that the rafts don’t tip is the greatest comfort to the non-swimmer.

The Grand River averages 3 feet in depth with six foot deep pools and the moving water is not fast. But meanders through a landscape of beauty. There are small rapids which the big boats simply float over with ease. Skill of paddling is not a concern because the guide steers the boat from the back.
.
As the group drifts down the valley, the guides stop for short walks to teach on different types of plants/trees, wildlife and First Nation’s history.  There is the opportunity to drink from cold springs, visit an old mine and see a Blue Heron rookery. Many groups stop for a lunch at a lookout or a campfire cookout along the way. On a hot summer day, women can slip out of the rafts to float down the river in their life jackets. Even non swimmers enjoy doing this.

Red Hat groups really enjoy the community effect of being in a raft. Sitting together provides ease of talking and hearing. There is the uniqueness of experiencing together, when spotting wildlife or drifting into a panoramic scene. There is the discovery of playing together… when an evil raft starts to splash. Sometimes it is hard to tell the evil rafts from the good rafts.

Rafting down the river surrounded by nature seems to refresh the spirit. It is like experiencing a childhood Huck Fin moment. There is the blue sky... towering greenery… the stillness of moving water… with a landscape changing at every bend. This new found world leaves its footprint within.

When the 3-4 hour trips end, the group is shuttled back by taxi or bus to their vehicles at the starting point. Where there is amazement at how fast the day went and bragging rights of who paddled the hardest!

Being near Paris offers the opportunity for boutique shopping, riverside cafés and fine dining. This town has accommodations for up to 400 people within 20 minutes and a good selection of Bed & Breakfasts. Paris on the Grand is a hidden Niagara-On-the-Lake… simply beautiful… worth another visit in itself.

For more information on Red Hat Rafting Events visit: http://www.grandriverrafting.ca/red-hat-rafting-trips

For information on things to do in Paris visit: http://grandriverrafting.ca/content/other-things-do-here

# # #

Grand River Rafting offers guided learning adventures for families & groups. Rafting, canoeing, hiking and barbeques on Southern Ontario's Grand River, just one hour west of Toronto, 10 minutes off the 403 Hwy near Paris, Ontario.

Choose your own starting time.

Open April til October. 7 days a week. Reservations required.