United States Whitewater Rafting Center in Charlotte, North Carolina: Make like an Olympian

Then go to the U.S. National Whitewater Center located on the banks of the Catawba River in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play hard like you did when you were a kid and nothing else mattered. Try rafting, swimming, biking and hiking. It doesn't matter how you do it, just run, walk, jump or kayak your way through the official Olympic Training Site where Gold Medalist Michael Phelps recently trained.

One of the most popular activities at the 307 acre spread is rafting, where trips are available on a first come-first serve basis, although you can contact USNWC in advance to make arrangements or check out this Schedule . Rafting trips are guided and usually last an hour and a half, and rafters are provided with a PFD (personal flotation device), helmet and paddle, while wet suits and splash jackets can be rented.

You don't even have to know how to swim to raft but you should be comfortable around water and with getting wet. Rafting doesn't get rained out unless it starts lightning, so no need to worry about canceling weekend plans if the sky opens up. Another plus is that rafting is geared to all ages and skill levels. Choose between Family Rafting, Adventure Rafting or Rodeo Rafting while testing your skills on the larges man-made re-circulating river in the world.

If you really want to push yourself, the Adventure Course provides challenge in the form of an aerial obstacle course of high ropes. Grab a buddy, a harness and a helmet and get started. If that's not enough, try taking a 40-foot free fall with the Mega Jump or garner a birds-eye view by ascending the climbing wall, which offers over 40 roped climbs.

All participants in any activity must sign a liability waiver and release form; children under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them. If you have health problems, check with your physician to see which activities are safe for you.

Those visiting the whitewater center for just a day should plan on spending at least five or six hours there on two or three activities. If you can't do everything in one day and just can't stay away, season passes for adults are $149, and $119 for childrens ages 4-10. Parking is $5 per car, but for those who would rather watch than participate, there's no cost for walking around the grounds or to watch family and friends paddle down the river.

If you live in Charlotte, impress out-of-town guests with all there is to do at USNWC and if you have a friend in Charlotte, call them up and tell'em you're blowing into town and want to kayak. There's even summer camps for the kids, a July 4th fireworks and other events, including River Jam, a series of free concerts.

More Info:

U.S. National Whitewater Center

5000 Whitewater Center Parkway

Charlotte, NC 28214

Phone: 704.391.3900

www.usnwc.org