Montreal, Quebec - August 7, 2008
You can travel the entire world seeking adventure and never find a trip quite like the one that leaves the Old Port in downtown Montreal.
"We became the top attraction in Montreal 26 years ago, the day we opened, and we've never given up the title. The only jet boat ride in the downtown of a major metropolitan city anywhere in the world," says Jack Kowalski of Saute-Moutons Tours.
Rain jackets are a necessity, but they won't keep you dry.
"You get as wet as if you just jumped off the dock and into the water there," says Kowalski.
And once you step aboard this boat-- you've reached the point of no return.
The jet boats head up the St. Lawrence River to the infamous Lachine rapids-- the only major rapids on this 1,200-mile river's journey from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean.
The first 15 minutes of the ride are uneventful. The boats travel past Montreal's waterfront and underneath the city's major bridges.
"And you get the most beautiful view of down Montreal," says Kowalski.
But the calm waters suddenly give way to turbulent rapids. Just like that-- boaters are thrust into the wildest ride of their lives.
"It's quite scary at first, to be honest," said Jim Wilke, a visitor from Scotland. "There's one that really got us. It was like being at the bottom of a swimming pool. Sooo much water."
The rapids are a mile long by a mile wide and are thought to be among the largest standing waves in North America.
"And it's also nature's roller coaster. It's the wettest ride you could ever imagine," says Kowalski.
And once you pass through the rapids-- the ride is far from over.
The boats travel up the river time and time again, hitting just about every wave possible.
Gabby Weis of Philadelphia said, "It was so fun. I was really scared, but it was worth it in the end."
"I have so much water in my shoes right now," said Kaitlin Gottlied of New Jersey.
30 minutes later-- once everyone is completely drenched-- the boat finally heads back downstream.
A trip complete-- but one that won't be forgotten.
"'The highlight of my vacation.' I heard this every day, every trip, 'greatest ride of my life,'" says Kowalski.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, you're going to have a great laugh," says Wilke.
More than 50-thousand people jet boat the rapids every year through various tour operators in Montreal. The trip costs $60 a person and reservations are required.
Click here for more information on the jet boat rides and visiting the Old Port area of Montreal.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
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