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Kayaking
Be Your Own Boss
For sheer freedom on the river, there's nothing like kayaking. In a kayak, you're your own boss and your own guide. Want to surf the day's biggest rapid over and over? No problem: Circle around through an eddy and plunge right back in! Ready for a break? Chart your own leisurely course around that big hole and watch the rafters take it on the chin!
The first kayaks were made by Eskimos, who stretched animal skins tightly around a wooden frame to create the first waterborne one-seaters Today's super-engineered fiberglass models are a far cry from their predecessors, but the level of control and freedom you'll have is just the same.
An Exclusive Club
While kayakers are found on all of West Virginia's rafting rivers, these intrepid souls have the added benefit of being able to hit stretches of water the big rafts can't negotiate. You can feel the excitement at base camp when rains bring up the smaller tributaries of the New and Gauley, for example: Kayakers head for the headwaters and an exhilarating roller-coaster ride only they can take.
The lower Meadow River, in particular, offers some of the most challenging and exciting kayaking anywhere: a seemingly endless succession of big drops, narrow chutes and waterfalls make this a world-class experience.
Learn Before You Leap
Whether you've set your sites on the big whitewater or just have a leisurely cruise in mind, getting professional instruction will help you enjoy kayaking to its utmost. It's also an important safety consideration if you plan on running rapids of any type.
Many West Virginia outfitters offer kayaking classes, and some even make this their specialty. In addition to ensuring that you enjoy the sport safely, they'll also help you find the best kayaking water and help you get there and back. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, West Virginia has just the right river for you!
ACE Adventure Center
PO Box 1168
Oak Hill, WV
1-888-223-7238
ace@aceraft.com
http://www.aceraft.com/
Laurel Highlands River Tours, Inc.
P.O. Box 107
Ohiopyle, PA
800/4-RAFTIN
4raftin@laurelhighlands.com
http://www.parafting.com/
Rivermen Whitewater
220 Lansing Rd.,
Lansing, WV
1-800-545-7238
raftinfo@rivermen.com
http://www.rivermen.com/
Class VI River Runners
Box 78
Lansing, WV
1-800-252-7784
classvi@800classvi.com
http://www.class-vi.com/?source=city&phone=8
Appalachian Wildwaters, Inc.
P.O. Box 100
Rowlesburg, WV
800-624-8060
aw@awrafts.com
http://www.awrafts.com
Wildwater Expeditions Unlimited, Inc
P.O. Box 155,
Lansing, WV
800-WVA-RAFT
wvaraft@wvaraft.com
http://www.wvaraft.com
Songer Whitewater, Inc
PO Box 300
Fayetteville, WV
800-356-7238
raft@songerwhitewater.com
http://www.songerwhitewater.com
Adventures Mountain River
P.O. Box 88
Hico, WV
1-800-822-1386
info@rafttoday.com
http://www.rafttoday.com
North American River Runners
US Route 60
Hico, WV
800.950.2585
narr@narr.com
http://www.narr.com
Mountain Streams & Trails
235 Quarry Run Rd.
Morgantown, WV
800-RAFT-NOW
http://www.mtstreams.com
Fort Edwards Trading Psot
RT 50
Capon Bridge, WV
304-856-1245
http://www.
Greenbrier River Company
P.O. Box 265
Ronceverte, WV
1-800-775-2203
http://www.greenbrierriver.com
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