White-water rafting trips from Long Island

For some, a quintessential summer escape is spending a lazy afternoon on an even lazier river. Others prefer more rambunctious stuff - high-speed and high-intensity excursions on the rapids. Indeed, white-water rafting has become an increasingly popular late spring and summer adventure for travelers of all ages.

So whether it's for a protracted adrenaline rush or just a few liquid laughs, Long Islanders can choose from a boatload of trips down rivers within four hours of home - a long but "doable" day trip. Or they can take the plunge in the farther-flung Adirondacks or West Virginia. But wherever you go, don't forget to make time to take in the scenery.

GETTING YOUR FEET WET

It bears noting that white-water rafting is one of the greenest forms of transportation there is. Gravity (in the form of the water's current) does all the heavy lifting, while you, the paddler, have only to follow your guide's instructions and position your raft to take maximum advantage of the thrills - and occasional spills - that Mother Nature has prepared.

While there's no denying that some white-water excursions qualify as extreme sport, most are no more dangerous than that archetypal lazy day floating on the river in an inner tube.

In fact, the biggest growth in the industry recently has come in planning milder, family-friendly excursions, says Nancy Pilecki of Whitewaters Challengers in White Haven, Pa. "Last year was one of our biggest years ever," Pilecki says, "owing largely to the stay-cation phenomenon."

It's not required for everyone in your party to know how to swim - at least for entry-level excursions - as personal flotation devices are provided and must be worn at all times.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Rapids are classified by intensity on a scale of I-VI. First-time paddlers often opt for Class I and II rapids, but novices can also handle Class III waters, provided they meet age, height and weight requirements set forth by the outfitter. Class IV and V rapids, however, are reserved for physically fit, experienced paddlers. Outfitters aren't allowed to take commercial passengers down Class VI rapids.

While the duration and intensity of trips vary considerably, all white-water rafting excursions are similar in some ways. Reservations are required, and participants arrive at a scheduled time to sign a mandatory liability release and be outfitted with a flotation device and helmet.

Don't worry about what to bring - once you're registered, each outfitter provides a list of requirements and recommendations, while on-site stores can supply anything you don't have.

For daylong trips, you either purchase a box lunch which the outfitter transports in watertight containers, or partake of a hot lunch awaiting onshore at a pit stop along the way.

As many as a dozen rafts comprise each flotilla, with the guides assigning you to a raft based upon the dynamics of your group - size, strength and skill level. And then it's all downriver.

WHERE TO GO

All prices given below are weekend rates for an adult and do not include the cost of the mandatory damages release (typically $2-$4). Trip times are for the total excursion, not just time spent on the water.

MILD (Class I and II rapids) 

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER

Less than two hours away, the Upper Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania is the nearest place for Long Islanders to go white-water rafting. Trips range in length from three to 41/2 hours, and are gentle enough that guides generally aren't provided.

COST $40-$45

OUTFITTERS Kittatinny Canoes in Barryville, N.Y. (800-356-2852, kittatinny.com), and Lander's River Trips in Narrowsburg, N.Y. (800-252-3925, landersrivertrips.com).

LEHIGH RIVER, PA.

Only slightly farther away in the Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Lehigh River offers relaxing three- to four-hour family float trips through Lehigh Gorge State Park on weekends when dam releases aren't scheduled.

COST $40 ($32 children)

OUTFITTERS Pocono Whitewater in Jim Thorpe, Pa. (800-944-8392, poconowhitewater.com), Whitewater Challengers in White Haven, Pa. (800-443-8554, whitewaterchallengers.com) and Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Nesquehoning, Pa. (800-876-0285, adventurerafting.com).

DEERFIELD RIVER, MASS.

Located in the Berkshires of northwestern Massachusetts, the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River offers four- to five-hour guided or unguided family float trips through pristine farmland.

COST $40-$60 ($30-$45 ages 5-15).

OUTFITTERS Crab Apple Whitewater (413-625-2288, crabappleinc.com); Moxie Outdoor Adventures (800-866-6943, wild-rivers.com); and Zoar Outdoor (800-532-7483, zoaroutdoor.com) - all based in Charlemont, Mass.

MEDIUM (Class II and III rapids)

LEHIGH RIVER, PA.

On dam-release weekends, the Lehigh River becomes a much livelier proposition, providing five full hours of white-water excitement to both experienced paddlers and willing novices, either through the Gorge or along the Gateway section. And it can even be done by twilight with a beer and wine reception afterward on Pocono Whitewater's tour (about $89). Upcoming dam releases are scheduled for June 12-13, June 26-27 and several weekends in July and August.

COST $50-$60

OUTFITTERS All the Lehigh River outfitters organize trips timed around dam releases.

ZOAR GAP (DEERFIELD RIVER)

Located farther upstream on the Deerfield River, the Zoar Gap section sees the white-water action intensify incrementally, and the duration of the trip increases to roughly six hours.

COST $80-$95 ($60-$75 ages 7-15)

OUTFITTERS See the Deerfield River listings above.

TURBULENT (Class III and IV rapids)

HUDSON RIVER

Don't let the broad and lethargic Hudson that flows past New York City fool you. In its more northerly reaches, it's really quite a thriller. Seven-hour trips start on the Indian River and continue through the scenic Hudson River Gorge with its adrenaline-inducing drop of 650 feet in just over eight miles.

COST $80-$90; $250-$275 overnight trips that include a campout.

OUTFITTERS Hudson River Rafting (800-888-7238, hudsonriverrafting.com) and North Creek Rafting (800-989-7238, northcreekrafting.com) in North Creek, N.Y.; Whitewater Challengers in North River, N.Y. (800-443-7238, whitewaterchallengers.com).

MONROE BRIDGE SECTION (DEERFIELD RIVER, MASS.)

The farther up the Deerfield River you go, the rowdier the rapids get. And the rowdiest it gets is along the Monroe Bridge Section - also known as the Dryway - six hours of unadulterated white-knuckle rafting. Minimum age is 14.

COST $105-$110

OUTFITTERS Crab Apple Whitewater (413-625-2288, crabappleinc.com), Moxie Outdoor Adventures (800-866-6943, wild-rivers.com) and Zoar Outdoor (800-532-7483, zoaroutdoor.com) - all based in Charlemont, Mass.

WILD, WET WEST VIRGINIA

When it comes to white-water rafting, West Virginia - home to some of the best rafting in the East - is indeed "almost heaven." Some 150,000 people come there every year to raft the New River alone, with an additional 60,000 experienced thrill-seekers taking to the super turbulent Gauley River, the "Beast of the East," during its celebrated fall dam release season.

Beginners, however, generally gravitate to the Upper New River ($110-$125 for an all-day trip on Class I-III rapids), while intermediates opt for the Lower New ($120-$140 for Class II-IV rapids).

A highlight of just about all trips, however, is floating 876 feet under the New River Gorge Bridge, the second-highest vehicular bridge in the world. And now, even nonpaddlers and nonswimmers can shoot some rapids in the gorge during a 30-minute jetboat ride ($25, New River Jetboats, 304-469-2525, newriverjetboats.com).

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Because it takes so long to get there (Long Islanders can count on a nine-hour drive), New Yorkers might want to consider a multiday trips. Many are offered with a range of other outdoor activities, including climbing walls, zip lines, paintball or mountain biking.

"It's all about providing guests with everything they want to do - and realizing that not all guests even in the same group want to do the same things," says Lisa Gale, marketing manager of Class VI-Mountain River, which offers all-inclusive and custom packages.

Making it even easier, on-site accommodations and food are the norm. Choices typically include everything from snack bars to full-service restaurants, and lodging in bunkhouses, rustic cabins or fully equipped lodges.

WHERE TO GO The New River Gorge lies slightly more than 500 miles southwest of New York City, with most outfitters located in the small towns of Fayetteville, Lansing and Hico.

INFORMATION For a complete list of outfitters and outdoor options, visit wvwhitewater.com.