What kind of equipment will be provided?
You will be given a coastguard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and a helmet to wear before your trip, both of which are designed for whitewater situations. Make sure to properly adjust them for your body size and wear them at all times on the river. Ask for professional advice in choosing an appropriate section of whitewater and consider your personal comfort level in the water when making your decision.

How strenuous is Whitewater rafting?
Whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers ranges from mild Class I-II float trips on relatively calm water that require very little effort from the crew to Class IV-V extreme rafting trips that are physically demanding and require intense participation.

What about children?
Rafting is a fascinating and rewarding experience for children and adults of all ages. The New River offers a variety of popular rafting options for families with small children to more challenging sections for older kids. Each trip has a minimum age requirement and can be found in the trip description.

Am I going to get wet and how should I dress?
Yes! It is rafting after all so be prepared to get splashed and possibly swim. Wear a swim suit, synthetic shorts or pants and water shoes/tennis shoes. Wet suit booties or wool socks will keep your feet warm and are usually worn in the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. You may also want to bring an eyeglasses retainer strap, sunscreen, chapstick, a camera, and some extra warm clothes. Make sure to bring a towel along with dry clothes and shoes to change into after your trip. Wetsuits, booties and splash jackets are available for rental at the West Virginia Adventures outpost.

What do I do with my camera?
Disposable waterproof cameras are popular with little worry about losing or damaging them on the river. Additionally, your trip will be photographed at popular rapids on the river and photos can be purchased after your trip.

Is rafting safe?
There are given risks involved with white water rafting that everyone should be aware of before getting on the water. Each guide holds a First Aid Certificate at a minimum and is trained in all aspects of River guiding and rescue. All trips are equipped with a first aid kit, River rescue equipment and two-way radios to communicate in the event of an emergency. Every guest will receive a helmet and coast guard approved floatation devices or life vest (maximum chest size of 52") and all safety procedures will be explained to you prior to your River trip. Note: We reserve the right to refuse anyone participating in any of our adventures because of physical or size limitations that, in our opinion, would expose that person to extreme risk. Anyone under the influence of drugs, alcohol or demonstrating unruly behavior will be denied service without refund or compensation.

What if I have a medical condition?
When you reserve your adventure let your reservationist know of any specific medical conditions you may have including but not limited to: diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, bee sting allergies, and pregnancy. We highly recommend that you consult your physician prior to rafting if you have a particular medical condition and strongly advise against rafting for women whom are in their first trimester of pregnancy.

How do I judge the difficulty of a river?
The rapids on the New and Gauley Rivers have been classified to help you gauge their level of difficulty on a scale of I to VI, with I (1) being the least challenging and level V (5) being the most difficult. Most rapids are somewhere in between but this will vary with your chosen section of whitewater. This is a subjective scale and depends on individual experience, water levels, and the type of boat you are paddling.

What is a good trip for a ‘newbie’?
Much will depend on your comfort level, attitude, physical abilities and goal for your trip. There are many options to choose from. The Upper New River offers scenic beauty and a very low impact run depending on the water level. It’s a good place to start especially if you have a few days and can step up to the Lower New River after your first day. The New River Gorge is more challenging with bigger rapids and steeper drops although there are calm pools in between where you can regroup and catch your breath. The Gauley River has scheduled releases from Summersville Dam each fall and is a much-anticipated event in the rafting world. If you’ve never rafted before, plan to run the Lower Gauley first to get a taste of what the Gauley has to offer. You’ll find big water, challenging rapids and incredible scenery. Then you’ll be ready to move up to the powerful Upper Gauley River section where you’ll experience intense action, gut-wrenching drops and a world of adrenaline! Extreme rafting options are also available with smaller rafts and more physically demanding lines down the river.

How do I get back to my car?
West Virginia Adventures provides transportation to and from the put-in and take-out on the river. You just have to show up at the outpost and we’ll take care of the rest.

When is the best time to go on a Whitewater Raft trip?
Spring is great for a high water icebreaker run after the long winter months. Brave the cooler temps and you’ll reap the rewards with with big rapids, big thrills and big discounts. Take advantage of low early season pricing and just think how good you’ll look in a wetsuit, booties and splash jacket! Summer is a popular time to raft in West Virginia for families with kids on summer vacation. Water levels recede and the dynamics of the river change dramatically creating an altogether different rafting experience. There are fun surfing waves and holes, great swimming spots and plenty of antics to take part in at jumprock during your adventure. Temperatures are usually moderate and make for comfortable camping. Fall is the ‘lottery’ of West Virginia rafting with the Gauley River as a final grand prize. There are scheduled releases from Summersville Dam for 28 days each September-October offering some of the biggest commercially rafted rapids in the world! Pillow Rock, Sweets Falls and Iron Ring are just a few you will come to know up close and personal. Water levels and temperatures may vary but are usually warm during the days, cool in the morning and evenings.

Will we go Whitewater Rafting even if it rains?
Yes! Thunderstorms are short lived and offer a wonderful perspective on nature. Sun streaming through clouds is a part of the outdoor experience. You are going to get splashed anyway so enjoy the added ambience and beauty weather can bring. Save extra film for that rainbow. It just may be the most memorable Whitewater raft trip of your life.

Can I request a particular guide?
Yes! Make sure to ask us when making your reservation and we’ll do our best to schedule your requested guide.

Will there be pictures and video of my trip?
Yes! Pictures can be ordered after your trip along with video. It’s a great way to remember your adventure.

What do I wear?
Being prepared for your River Trip can make your experience much more enjoyable.

*NO COTTON, cotton has no insulating properties once it gets wet *Nylon Swimming trucks or swimsuit
*Hat with a brim to protect your face from the sun in Summer *Stocking Cap or skull cap in Early Spring or Late Fall to help keep you warm
*Old Tennis Shoes or Sandals that stay firmly attached to your feet
*NO FLIP FLOPS
*We have wetsuits, nylon splash jackets and booties for rent for colder days .