Who can do whitewater?
Just about everyone, age 6 and older. No experience is necessary on sections of the New River. The Lower Gauley River is the next step up in difficulty and the Upper Gauley is in the top 10 commercially run rivers in the country. Though you are required to wear a whitewater commercial Type V personal flotation device, it is recommended that you know how to swim and understand the English language or have a translator accompany you. Look for the skill level classification on each activity page to match your interests. For the most fun, start off easy to build experience, or, better yet, make reservations for two or three days and build up to a more difficult level over time. The US Coast Guard-approved Type V personal flotation devices for whitewater are designed to fit a maximum 52″ girth for adults and 40 lbs. minimum weight for children.
