If you want to learn to appreciate rather hate, i.e., combine both activities, try this:

http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/whitewater.htm

You can google New River Smallmouth and find a bunch of outfitters, add th state of your choice (North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, in order of increasing water volume and velocity). The above link is a National Park service site.

The smallmouth is a terrifically game fish, and will knock the bejeezus out of a wooly booger.

In these days of a weak dollar, West Virginia is a real bargain. It is also an experience that you will not have in Europe. World class whitewater combined with the best smallmouth fishery on the planet.

Be forewarned - sometimes the river wins. I swam the Double Z one time and it came real close to curing me of rafting.