Buffalo Behind the Scenes: Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
0
LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) -- For thousands of years, a natural whirlpool has swirled downstream from the mighty Niagara.
The white water rapids rip at speeds most people wouldn't want to catch themselves in - unless they have the right boat. That's where Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours comes in.
"I don't think there's anything that tells the story more of Niagara than what we do at Jet Boats," said president of Whirlpool Jet Boats, John Kinney.
For their crews, it's not always smooth sailing - but that's by choice. For three decades, their jet boats have navigated Devil's Hole, a class five rapids portion of the Niagara River.
"Most rapids are created by water going over rocks; the rocks create waves, and you have rapids," Kinney said. "[It's a] completely different story here on the Niagara River."
That's due to the river's width and depth. The waterway goes from 35 miles wide at Lake Erie to a quarter mile wide at the brink of the Falls, flowing over into the gorge where it's only 150 yards wide.
"Because all of that water is flowing downhill and being squeezed through the gorge, that's what creates our rapids," Kinney said. "That's why we never worry about rocks here - normally, white water rapids are two to four feet deep. The rapids at Devil's Hole are 50 to 75 feet deep."
An average boat can't make it through these kinds of waters. Whirlpool Jet Boats are designed for the Niagara rapids - and they're built right in our backyard.
"Our boats are homemade," Kinney said. "We build our own boats, and we do that working with Naval architects and Marine engineers. But it's our white water knowledge that we're able to tell those technical people what we need it to do in the water."
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours have 10 boats in their fleet and each one goes through a rigorous Coast Guard oversight program before hitting the water for the first time. Then, each trip after they return, the boats go through a series of checks and maintenance.
"We've taken 2.5 million people on our trip over these last 30-plus years and we've brought every one of those persons back - although, very much wet at the same time," Kinney said. "So in order for that to happen, we have to make sure our boats are designed for the rigors of the white water of the Niagara Gorge and then maintained to the upmost degree."
You can tour the waters on two different boats. The first is completely uncovered, so prepare to get wet. The second is called their freedom jet, because it's partially covered.
"We call it the freedom jet because you're free to get wet, or you're free to stay dry," Kinney said.
The part that's covered has air conditioning, and in the cooler months, it has heat. Because of this, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours have been able to extend their season.
"We can operate anytime the Niagara River is ice free. This spring, we started on April the 13, and last year we ran all the way to December the 3," Kinney said. "This year we hope to be able to run possibly right to Christmas and New Years."
In addition to the rapids, the tours provide an in-depth look into the history and geography of the Niagara River and Falls. People come from all over the world for the tours - a third of their visitors are from overseas.
Over the years, they've had kids as young six to their record of a 98-year-old woman hitting the waters on a jet boat.
"These boats have enabled us to do so many amazing things here," Kinney said. "That's why we take six-year-old kids and seniors into the eighties and nineties. Even if you say 'I'm not such a boat person,' you can handle Whirlpool Jet Boats."
Marlee Tuskes is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2019. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.