Experiences.com: Many people may not know enough to judge or care about the quality of your equipment at Magic Falls Rafting Co. Tell us about your equipment and why it matters.
Magic purchased custom designed, self-bailing Aire rafts with safety handles along with 120 new Personal Flotation Devices with the maximum flotation rating in 2008. Safety is Magic’s number one priority and Dave Neddeau, the owner, is either leading or guiding trips to oversee his staff nearly every day of the season. Rafting is a risk sport and guests who take the risk deserve to have the safest possible trip.
Experiences.com: What are the project dates for Magic Falls Rafting Co. white water rafting season?
May 1 to Columbus Day.
Experiences.com: What class rapids does your company run?
Class 2-5.
Experiences.com: Describe your
a) most popular family rafting experience
See the “Outback Adventure” below
b)most challenging rafting experience
Our Multi-Magic Upper Gorge Trip. This is two runs of the Kennebec River’s 5 mile Upper Gorge section with Class 3-5 whitewater. Rapids include Bib Mama, The Three Sisters, Taster and the big one-Magic Falls (after which the company is named.)
Experiences.com: What water sports or outdoor activities do you offer?
Rock climbing (We are the only outfitter in the area with an outdoor climbing wall and we provide climbing instruction on local rock faces, inflatable kayaking, tubing on the Dead river (free use of tubes for groups), guided hikes in the Longfellow Mountains surrounding West Forks, Maine
Experiences.com: Do you offer any unique adventures, or package deals?
Overnight “Out-Back” Camping Adventure available June through August Day one raft the Kennebec followed by a hearty BBQ, then take a short hike to Moxie Falls-Maine’s highest at 90 ft, swim in the pools above the falls, then embark on a wildlife safari to search for moose, deer, eagles, osprey, bob cat. Return to base camp, set up tents, build a campfire, dinner with a choice of steak , chicken fish and of course Maine lobster, home made dessert and smores over the camp fire. In the morning have a campfire breakfast followed by an inflatable kayak paddle on the lower stretch of the Kennebec. Minimum age 10 and no alcohol permitted for families. This adventure was cited by AirTran’s in-flight magazine “Go: as one of the top 20 family adventures in the USA.
Experiences.com: Describe a particular memorable rafting experience.
Personally-It was a rafting experience with 10 of my classmates from college. What made this trip so unique was that it was a group of women who were celebrating their 60th birthday in 2008. We proved that you don’t’ have to be a macho male aged 18-35 to go rafting. We had a blast and proved our women power.
Experiences.com: What are some favorite vistas or views on your routes?
The Kennebec Gorge with the variety of evergreen foliage and the osprey nest high in a decayed tree. The nesting pair have had nestlings for the past 20 years.
Experiences.com: I’m anxious or hesitant to experience rafting rapids. What can you say to help calm my fears or concerns?
The Kennebec is a popular family river and we often describe it as a “natural Disneyland ride”. It flows at a consistent grade so no big Class 5 rapids and no major boulders. You are safer in a raft with a guide and all the safety equipment than you ever would be in a canoe. And how many people who can’t swim will get in a canoe compared to a raft? Too many. Canoes are where the true tragedies usually
happen.
Experiences.com: Please describe your view on the experience of White Water Rafting.
The thrill of a lifetime and everyone should definitely put it on their bucket list!
Special thanks to Wendy Grey of Magic Falls Rafting Company for granting us this interview.