Kayaking (Whitewater)
Pantops Shopping Center (with Giant Food Store)
James River - Richmond
Join me on my traditional trip of starting out the new year right with a trip down the James! For the past several years I’ve spent the first weekend of the new year paddling the James River from Pony Pasture (above Richmond) to Mayo Island (downtown Richmond). This stretch of river can be run continuous or split between 2 sections: upper (class 2) and lower (class 3-4). The paddling tradition will stay alive but the venue may change depending on water level and experience level of the group. This trip is for advanced-beginners to advanced paddlers. You must have some experience kayaking class 2 rapids and good boat control to go on this adventure. A solid roll is recommended to run the lower section. The cold waters add a class (or perhaps a +) to the usual rating system due to the increased health danger, but for those not ready to tackle the downtown section (at 9ft. as of 12/30!) you can just run the upper section which is just lots of juicy waves at current flow. The rivers will stay high so I expect to have plenty of options. Balcony Falls or Goshen would make fine substitutions (hell, I’d even settle for the Rivanna – I just want to paddle! 🙂
The Club provides the boat, skirt, helmet, paddle, noseplug, wetsuit, drytop, booties, gloves (short supply) and balaclavas/skull caps (short supply).
You should bring your boat/gear, food, water, money for food/snacks