Rapids Are Fake, But Thrills Are Not

Western Maryland's Adventure Sports Center International isn't the only spot where the whitewater is less than authentic. Across the country, other man-made facilities provide whitewater runs just as challenging as those designed by nature. Some are fully synthetic, whereas others are natural waterways with added frills. Here are five pumped-up courses you can paddle down; note that in most cases you need to bring or rent a vessel.

· South Bend, Ind. The East Race Waterway, a 1,900-foot-long course, was built in 1984, runs 450 to 500 cubic feet of water per second and ranks as a Class II. Two-, four- and five-person rafts rent for $4 per ride, or bring your kayak and pay $12 for a full day. Open weekends, mid-June to mid-August. Free. Info: 574-233-6121 or 574-299-4768, http://www.sbpark.org/parks/erace.htm.

· Golden, Colo. The Clear Creek White Water Park, built in 1998, offers kayakers, canoers and riverboarders 800 feet -- or seven city blocks -- of Class III rapids. (Interestingly, Clear Creek is Coors's primary water source.) The course is divided into three sections, which become progressively harder: The top has drops, pools and swift eddies; the middle portion has shallow, flat waves that break on big boulders; and the bottom area provides gnarlier plunges and extreme surf. The flow is 200 to 500 cubic feet per second. Open year-round, but it gets icy in the winter. Free. Info: 303-384-8127, http://www.ci.golden.co.us/Page.asp?NavID=203.

· Reno, Nev. The four-year-old Truckee River Kayak Park Course cuts through downtown and offers Class II and III rapids. The two channels, which split at the Wingfield Park island before rejoining, stretch for half a mile and include 11 pools of varying drops, plus 7,000 tons of flat-top rocks and boulders. The water moves at rates from 275 to 3,000 cubic feet per second. Open year-round. Free. Info: 800-367-7366 or 775-787-5000, http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/plan_your_trip/outdoors/kayak_park.

· Charlotte. Competitive and recreational paddlers take to the waters of the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a year-old sports complex. The world's largest man-made recirculating river has seven pumps that churn out more than 536,000 gallons of water per minute, filling three channels -- a competitive course with Class III and IV rapids (site of Olympic trials), an instructional course with Class I and II rapids, and a play river with Class II and III waves. The center also offers guided rafting trips and kayak lessons. Open year-round; prices vary, but kayakers pay $15 for a 1 1/2 -hour session. Info: 704-391-3900, http://www.usnwc.org.

· Casper, Wyo. The Casper Whitewater Park, which covers a half-mile section of the dammed North Platte River, is considered the state's top man-made whitewater facility. The water runs between 500 and 3,000 cubic feet per second, and its five faux rock formations create a challenging ride for beginner to intermediate kayakers, rafters, canoers and tubers. Open year-round. Free. Info: 307-577-1206, http://www.platteriverparkway.org/whitewater.htm.

-- Andrea Sachs