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Different Water, Different Crafts
Different rivers and water levels call for a variety of river craft. The typical inflatable raft is 12 to 16 feet long and can carry 4 to 10 paddlers.
A kayak is a highly maneuverable lightweight craft made of water-tight plastic or fiberglass. Smaller and more responsive than canoes, kayaks allow the paddler freedom to surf waves, play in rapids, and roll with-out sinking.
A ducky is an inflatable, kayak-like craft, 3 feet wide by 9 feet long. Duckies are flexible, highly maneuverable, stable and easy to control.
A dory is a flat-bottomed wooden boat with a sharp bow, flaring sides and flat, triangular stern.
Even more varied than the types of river craft are the range of river experiences to choose from. Family float trips, overnights, raft/horseback, raft/fishing, raft/rock climbing or raft/bed and breakfast combinations and custom-designed trips are among your options.
Float trips are good for children, novices and seniors. They are offered on gentler stretches of river, such as the upper New from Hinton to Thurmond, where calm blue pools are interspersed with class I to II rapids.
Extended Day and Overnight Trips are conducted along the Lower New, from Thurmond to Fayette Station. Day one is leisurely with stops to relax, sum, swim, fish, learn the art of the ducky, or hike into abandoned coal mining towns. Day two continues the exciting run to a take-out point just above the New River Gorge Bridge.
Duckies/kayaking instruction emphasizes reading rapids, understanding the water, route selection, navigation, rescue and safety. The courses will soon have you running the river on your own with confidence.
Fishing/float trips to those special coves that only local fisher-men can normally find are provided by many outfitters for the experienced fishing enthusiasts. Popular game fish, such as bass, muskie, catfish, walleye, and the hard-fighting smallmouth bass, will test your rod.
Raft/ride trips combine a horse-back or mountain bike ride into the New River Gorge to a pre-selected campsite. At camp guests enjoy fishing, exploring or relaxing by the campfire. The next morning, head down the river for a spirited trip on the lower New.
Raft/rope packages offer a truly exhilarating physical challenge with one day of rock climbing and rappelling followed by a day of rafting.
Pack/paddle combinations start with guests hiking trails through the Gauley forests or along the New River one day with a raft trip the next.
Your professional outfitter can devise a custom trip for any type of group. The choice is yours...let your imagination be your guide, but plan on making America's Best Whitewater part of your vacation.
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