Upper James Whitewater Kayaking – Test your Roll Session Mettle

OVERVIEW

WHAT
This trip is an introduction to whitewater kayaking. Together, we’ll learn the basics of basic paddle strokes, reading and running rapids, and mayyyyybe we’ll even try more advanced skills like surfing! This trip is pretty geared towards instruction, so please come stoked to learn!
The water temp + air temp means it will probably be a little chilly, so you’ve got to be okay and ready to get a little cold. We’ll bring wet suits and dry tops but you’ll still probably be chilly. But paddle hard and you’ll warm right up!
WAITLIST POLICY:
If you’ve made it to a roll session but haven’t yet gotten on the river, this is the trip for you! We’ll also need another driver with roof racks, so you’ll get priority as well (+ your gas reimbursed with a tip–look at the club policy for more on this). You need to be a confident swimmer.
WHERE
We will be paddling the upper section of the James river near Richmond. Where we’ll be has some friendly class I-II rapids + a nice flatwater section for learning. It stretches about 4.5 miles from Pony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek Park. Check out this link to see what it’s all about: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1951/main The water level is looking to be ~4ft, an incredibly chill beginner level.
WHEN
9am – Meet at the corner of Echols Dorm, confirm boat and gear sizings, & hit the road
10:30am – Arrive at Reedy Creek park, drop car(s) for shuttle
11:00pm – Arrive at Pony Pasture, unload & learn about gear
11:30pm – Start paddling!
2:30pm (or earlier, hopefully) – Get off river at Reedy Creek, reset shuttle
3:00pm – Head back to Cville
4:30pm – Back at Echols
*** These times are in an attempt to be conservative but the river (and what we’ll do on it) is unpredictable and things may run over! E.g., if you absolutely need to be back in Cville by 4:30pm, this trip may not be the one for you ***
WHAT WE BRING
– Kayaks and paddles
– PFDs (life jackets), kayak skirts, and helmets
– Wetsuits and Drytops
WHAT YOU BRING
– Clothes you’re okay with getting wet and potentially swimming in (would recommend a bathing suit or dry-fit clothes)
– Shoes that can get wet and will stay on your feet in the river (please no crocs!) Examples: chacos, keens, tevas, sneakers
– Sunscreen/maybe a hat if you want
– Water + snacks (for post river mostly)
– Change of clothes and a towel for after
– Maybe a plastic bag or your own version of a dry bag for your stuff you want/need on the river (snack, sunscreen etc.)
That’s about it! Text me(Max) at 571-215-0938 with any questions!
Notice – Whitewater sports are inherently dangerous. We lead trips at a level where we feel confident about our ability to keep people on our trip safe. Your safety also depends on you and your honest communication of your abilities and state of being, as well as respect towards any safety advice.