Rocky Row Mountain from Trip A on the James River
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip A
Experience
We're in our twenty-sixth year of service and strive to offer the most professional operation in our area. We have an American Canoe Association certified canoe instructor on our fulltime staff who also has American Heart Association Heartsaver C.P.R. and SOLO Wilderness First Aid certification. We teach canoeing for Washington and Lee University.
We have carefully scouted and mapped all our trips. We have established sites for all our access points and for campsites. We have permission to use these spots and never break trespass laws by putting our customers in across private property or railroad tracks or directing them to camp wherever they wish. Most of the property along our rivers is private, so careful planning is important. We've already done it for you.
We monitor river conditions and rainfall amounts daily (and have since 1978). We know when it's unsafe to boat.
We're fully licensed and insured for all the services we provide. We subscribe to the American Canoe Association's National Livery Safety System.
An osprey (with fish) soars above the Maury on Trip I.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip I
Preparation
All adults must sign our "Renter's Contract, Acceptance of Responsibility, and Release of Liability" form
assuming responsibility for themselves, their children, all minors in their group, and all property taken on the trip, both rented and private. Parents or legal guardians who will not be accompanying their minor child on our trips must sign our "Parent/Guardian Permission Form" in advance of the trip showing their consent for their child to participate in this activity and their understanding of the risks and responsibilities that go along with that participation. The form should be downloaded in advance or obtained in person or by mail from our office. They are best viewed in "Print Preview", but if these two documents can't be printed in an acceptable form from our website, we can e-mail them to you as Word documents or mail them to you in hardcopy form.
Our thirty minute orientation, which everyone must observe in its entirety without interruption, has been designed by professional paddlers and educators to give you the basic skills you'll need to have a safe and pleasant experience on our rivers. The orientation includes a video preview of the section of river you'll be running.
We'll give you instruction in safety and handling your boat.
Click on picture for a copy of our
"Renter's Contract, Acceptance of Responsibility, and Release of Liability" form.
Among the things we'll tell you about during orientation:
A. The importance of wearing your life jacket and how to size it properly.
B. How to lower your center of gravity by kneeling in your boat.
C. How to select a paddle and the basic strokes necessary to get you down the river and around the rocks.
D. In cooler weather, how to avoid and treat hypothermia. If you're planning a cold or wet weather trip, bring wool or polypropylene
clothing, rain gear, and warm drinks. Leave the keg of brandy at home. Alcohol is actually deadly in hypothermic conditions!!
E. How to "swim" a rapid should you turn over. If you can't swim or are scared of the water, you should probably find another activity
to do. While most of our trips offer little excuse to turn over, some folks still do!
F. THAT ALCOHOL AND DRUGS DON'T MIX WITH WATER SPORTS!!! Don't come with the idea that this is an activity for drinking. We will not put people who arrive drinking alcoholic beverages or who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the river. No deposits will be refunded to people who are turned away for this reason. Remember, too, that drinking in public is illegal. You will be in public when you are on the river.
G. How to "read" the water. We'll show you how to recognize hazards and find good channels.
H. To guard against sunburn, particularly on thighs and shoulders. Use sunblock!
I. When in a group, don't tailgate. Keep the boat behind you in sight and slow down for it. That's easier than making it speed up!
J. Don't go barefoot in the river; rocks are sharp! Bring a ratty pair of tennis shoes. Don't dive into the water!
K. How to avoid the second most ruinous event of the day, pinning and damaging or losing your boat. The first most ruinous event
being an argument with your partner! That's up to you all!
L. What to do in a lightning storm. (Get off the river and don't take shelter under trees!!)
M. Have plenty of fluids, cold in hot weather and warm in cold. (You may wish to bring a picnic.)
N. To secure eyeglasses and sunglasses and leave your car keys hidden on your vehicle or in our key drawer.
Kayaks on Trip B on the James River. Water level is 1 foot 10 inches.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip B
Remember our trips are self guided. You have to be able to take care of yourself on the river. Come expecting fun and relaxation, particularly on our easier trips, but be prepared for some challenge, even if it's just getting in and out of your boat on a steep and slippery bank! People who are unprepared for spills or incapable of moderate physical exertion should not undertake this activity. You will need to be able to help load and unload your (76 lb.) canoe and carry it over short distances. Of course, you'll have to be able to paddle it down the river. In selecting your trip you need to consider the skill level of the least experienced members of your group. Only the people in the boat can control it. Don't ruin your day by picking something too tough for all to handle.
Because of the inherent dangers of all water sports, we suggest that all non-swimmers and children under twelve stay home. Children under eight and/or 45 pounds usually lack the strength and maturity that is needed to carry, maneuver, and paddle a canoe or manage turning over in a rapid. They generally don't understand our orientation and safety talk. We won't put them on the river. Parents or legal guardians who will not be accompanying their minor child on our trips must sign our "Parent/Guardian Permission Form" in advance of the trip showing their consent for their child to participate in this activity and their understanding of the risks and responsibilities that go along with that participation. The form should be downloaded in advance or obtained in person or by mail from our office. It is best viewed in "Print Preview", but if this document can't be printed in an acceptable form from our website, we can e-mail it to you as a Word document or mail it to you in hardcopy form.
We will not put intoxicated people, or people who arrive drinking, on the river. Drinking in public is illegal. Remember, the river is part of the public!
Dogs are nice, but there is a $31.60 charge to take them along. They can't go on overnight trips or Trips A, G, and I. It's best to leave pets at home. We have a dog pen and will be happy to keep your dog there, free of charge, while you're on the river.
Cliffs along the Maury below Lexington. Water level is 3 inches.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip H.
Memberships
- Southern Environmental Law Center
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- James River Association
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- Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
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- West Virginia River Coalition
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- Friends of the Rivers of Virginia
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- Coastal Canoeists
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- Rockbridge Area Conservation Council
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- Blue Ridge River Runners
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- Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber
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- Izaak Walton League
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- Virgina Professional Paddlesports Association
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- American Rivers
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- American Canoe Association
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- Virginia EcoTourism Association
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The wrong way and the right way to run Balcony Falls!! Water level is 2 feet 1 inch.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip A.
Sales
We carry a complete line of new and used A.B.S. Royalex® canoes by Mohawk Canoes and a complete line of paddling accessories. We offer a 20% discount on all items purchased with any boat. Click here for a complete pricelist of our used boats.
Kayaks on Trip H below Bean's Bottom. Water level is 2 feet 2 inches.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip H
The American Whitewater Affiliation Scale of River Difficulty
Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong Eskimo roll is highly recommended.
Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable Eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.
Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability, and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.
Remember, as you increase the challenge you increase the chance of damage to your boat and equipment and injury to yourself. We frequently have people come in "ready for Class III's and IV's." People who shoot par on the golf course have their own clubs! People who are capable of running Class III and IV water aren't renting their boats!! Class III and up is best done by renters in a raft as rafts are usually guided and offer more stability and forgiveness in whitewater than do canoes and kayaks. The rivers in this part of Virginia aren't really suited for rafts as you can see on our trip maps.
Canoes and kayaks on Trip B on the James River. Water level is 1 foot 10 inches.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip B
River Information
Zero water level is the lowest a competent boater can run the river without having to get out. This is called the Randy Carter system of gauging or a "boaters' gauge". The upper level of a river's "runnability" is up to individual skill levels.
We don't run any trips on the James River when it is over four feet on the boaters' gauge (approximately 6.0 feet on the U.S.G.S. Buchanan gauge) or on the Maury River when
it is over three and a half feet over the boaters' gauge (approximately 4.9 feet on the U.S.G.S. Buena Vista gauge). We won't put a boat on the river by itself when the combined air
and water temperature is under 100 degrees or when the water temperature in the James is
under 55 degrees, the Maury 50 degrees. We always reserve the option to move your trip to
another if the conditions on your reserved choice are unsafe or the water is too low. We will also move anyone we
deem not up to the trip reserved to an easier, safer trip. Remember, the more challenging a
trip is, the more opportunity there is for injury or property damage. Customers are responsible
for themselves, those in their group, and all personal and rented equipment. Click here to view our "Renter's Contract, Acceptance of Responsibility, and Release of Liability" form. Parents or legal guardians who will not be accompanying their minor child on our trips must sign our "Parent/Guardian Permission Form" in advance of the trip showing their consent for their child to participate in this activity and their understanding of the risks and responsibilities that go along with that participation. The form should be downloaded in advance or obtained in person or by mail from our office. If this document can't be printed in an acceptable form from our website, we can e-mail it to you as a Word document or mail it to you in hardcopy form.
Kayak on Trip B on the James River. Water level is 10 inches.
Click on picture for a detailed map of Trip B
River Conditions Monday, May 9, 9:00 a.m.
| Gauge Location |
Water Level |
Water Temperature |
| Maury River at our shop |
+1 ft. 2 in., dropping |
60 degrees |
| Maury River at Rockbridge Baths |
+11 in., dropping |
57 degrees |
| James River at Glasgow |
+2 ft., dropping |
62 degrees |
Rainfall Information
| Period |
Amount |
| Saturday, 4/30 |
1.03 in. |
| April Total |
3.04 in. |
| 2005 Total |
10.77 in. |
River, Rainfall, and Safety Information:
1. River levels on the James, Maury, Potomac, Roanoke, Shenandoah, and Kanawha watersheds
2. River levels for every county and city in Virginia
3. River levels for the Gauley, New, Cranberry, Meadow, Greenbrier, Bluestone, and Russell Fork Rivers
4. River levels on the Youghiogheny and Cheat watersheds
5. River levels on the Tygart and Monongahela watersheds
6. Rainfall amounts over the last 24 hours for Rockbridge County, our county
7. Rainfall amounts over the last 24 hours for anywhere you wish to check in the United States
8. IFLOWS reports for western Virginia (A back up when the above aren't current)
9. Princeton University's Outdoor Activities' hypothermia reference page
Private boaters (i.e., folks with their own boats who won't be renting from us) should click here for information in what we offer and don't offer in planning their trip.
Current Weather Information for |
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the James River Basin |
Have some questions that aren't answered? Please e-mail us. We'll get back to you within 24 hours!
E-mail: "Information@CanoeVirginia.com"
