Boating excitement with Niagara Jet Adventures of Youngstown, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

Water temperatures in the lower Niagara River remain in the low 40s. Despite that, look for a return of boating excitement on the lower river - this year with two separate jet boat operators - starting this weekend.

In photo No. 1, Niagara Jet Adventures of Youngstown shows off "Gonago:go:h III," the latest in the company's fleet of new jet boats that arrived this week from Idaho. NJA's Mike Fox reports that, in celebration of having all three vessels on site and ready to go at NJA's new launch facility at 555 Water St., Youngstown, the company will offer a special to the area's military as part of its "soft-start" operations.

"We are dedicating one of our new technically advanced, climate-controlled, whitewater and historical river tour boats to military personnel, (past and active)," Fox said. Boat tours for the military will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Reservations are required for this special VIP trip. Fox requests those interested in being a part of this first-ever experience visit both the Niagara Jet Adventures and the Lewiston-Porter Sentinel's pages on Facebook.

"Be amongst the first 60 veterans to 'Like' and follow both the Sentinel's (page; www.facebook.com/wnypapers) and the NJA page (www.facebook.com/niagarajetadventures)," he said. "Once you 'Like' the Sentinel and our page, you must message at [email protected] to confirm who you are and that you have registered. We will send you the time of your trip in a reply message."

NJA's first official opening day for the season will be Thursday, May 29.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours is open and eager to get patrons wet as they brave their way toward Niagara Falls.

Patrons are invited to connect with Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Use these sites to keep up with the latest news, photos and deals.

WJBT is located next to Water Street Landing at 115. S. Water St., Lewiston. Pictured in photo No. 2 is a group of school children taking a field trip Thursday on a WJBT boat.