Beginner – Advanced White Water Kayaking

OVERVIEW

Not sure where we’ll go quite yet, depends on the river levels. But I can promise we’ll find white water suitable for beginners. By tomorrow most of the recent local river volume increase should have flown downstream and into the James, eventually making its way to Richmond. So hopefully, the James through Richmond will be nice and white (and not from snow…yet…that’ll be for winter paddling if anyone is interested…can’t wait!!) making it the most likely candidate. The upper section is suitable for beginners with class 1s and 2s (some 3s at higher levels). The lower section is for intermediate-advanced paddlers with its class 3 and 4 rapids. Depending on water level and who signs up, I may run both, in which case the upper section folks could drive back home after the first run, or wait for us at Legends where we’ll grab some chow after the run.

We’ll learn what eddys are, how to go into and out of them, ferrying, river reading, rapid running, and may be some play paddling, like surfing.

So sign up, no matter your experience level, unless you are a complete beginner who has never been in a white water kayak. Do NOT sign up unless you have taken the intro class with me or have similar experience. If you are not sure, sign up anyway and contact me with questions – dclark@virginia.edu; 962-9737.

The trip fee covers: gear transport

The Club provides: all of the gear

You should bring: swimwear (including footwear that can get wet), towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, pack a lunch to eat on a rock on the river, ID and money for legends (great wings!) after