by Linda Aksomitis

Strictly speaking I've never been a water sports person, since the only water I've spent much time on was frozen lakes, where we competed in professional snowmobile racing events. But, when the opportunity presented itself to head out to Maine for a rafting experience, I grabbed it.

I soon found I was far from a rarity as a single woman on a rafting adventure. Once the domain of thrill seeking young guys, Raft Maine research indicates a full 50% of raft passengers nowadays are women. Female guides at Professional River Runners outnumber the males five to two! Other Maine outfitters estimate between 25-40% of their guides are female. Like many others, Lisa, my guide, was a university student - some guides have complementary jobs like ski instructor to keep them busy in the winter.

I arrived in West Forks the evening before my adventure. Unloading the car, I was soon nestled in my comfortable cabin across from the Marshall Hotel, which is owned by the Magic Falls Rafting Company. While I had everything I needed to cook supper myself, I wandered across the road to the dining room and cozy bar instead.

The river view from the cabin.

As dusk settled over the last true wilderness of the East, I relaxed with a book and the homemade whoopee pies I'd brought back for dessert, on my deck overlooking the Kennebec. Water rushed beneath my feet, past the maple leaves and pine needles. Breathing the pure clean air, I soon settled into my cozy bed, letting the lapping of the water against the rocks lull me to sleep.

The Magic Falls Rafting Company really knows how to put rafters at ease and get everyone into the spirit of adventure! Once I'd wiggled into my neoprene wetsuit Saturday morning, I lined up with other beginners for our first lesson. First rule is, "You don't bring back the paddle, you don't get any lunch!"

The Kennebec River adventure begins at Harris Dam on Indian Pond. The dam releases water daily, so the classification of the rapids can be guaranteed year round by West Forks rafting companies, regardless of heavy rains or drought conditions.

After our rollicking bus-ride to the start-point, Lisa gathered her little group, which consisted of me, Andrea, her friend Bob and her three teenagers, together, to haul our raft down into the water. Bob was the only experienced rafter, so Lisa had a boat-load of newbies on her hands! (CONTINUE...)