Aquatic Trips
The New was designated a national river in 1978 and is part of the United States National Park Service. In 1998, it was designated an American Heritage River.
It's banks provide beautiful scenery with rolling farmland hills, high bluffs with caves, and natural bridges. We will experience the lower New, with class I-III rapids.
Aquatics Difficulty Ratings
Please read the descriptions of difficulty levels carefully before signing up for an aquatics trip. Aquatics staff will be happy to answer questions (email nature@suusi.org).
Gentle: Introductory level; average fitness.
Moderate: Good condition; possibly some proficiency in paddling skills.
Strenuous: Above average fitness; some proficiency in paddling skills required.
Important Guidelines for Aquatics Trips
Read the following information carefully before registering for aquatics trips.
- Trips will go out rain or shine, but they may be relocated or canceled if there is a long-duration storm. Trips could take more or less time than indicated due to streamflow, dam water release, or weather. All participants will be expected to help load and unload gear. Trip leaders will not launch during thunderstorms, and we will wait for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap to launch the watercraft. We will stay in the vans or under appropriate cover during bad weather.
- All trips will leave at the time shown on the schedule. Be at the Nature Tent/Office at least 15 minutes early. You should have drinking water with you for all trips. Fill your water bottles before you leave the dorm. Two quarts of water are recommended. Bring all of your other required gear and supplies, too.
- Personal flotation devices or life jackets are provided and must be worn. You do not need to be a great swimmer to enjoy our river trips; however, you do need to be sure of your abilities should you be separated from your boat or tube in still or moving water. Trip leaders will do their best to alert you to possible trouble spots, but one thing is for sure in paddling sports; the water is the boss and occasionally can have a few surprises downstream.
- Wearing the correct footwear is required for all aquatic trips (see the Shoe Requirements). We will enforce this rule to help with walking in awkward or slippery terrain as well as to protect your feet from sharp objects like glass, metal, and sharp rocks that often can be found in rivers and streams. Footwear must be sturdy and must stay on securely in moving or still water. Participants without proper shoes will not be allowed to go on the trip. If you have any doubts, please have a Nature Staffer check them out well before departure time.
- The skills for paddling smooth lakes, flat water, or estuaries are not the same as those needed for Class I-II+ Rivers. If you’ve never paddled moving or whitewater, or if it’s been a long time since you have used these skills, please sign up for an instructional or introductory trip.
American Whitewater rates the sections of the rivers that we’ll use by the following scale:
Class I: Easy - Fast-moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions and all are obvious and easily avoided with basic training.
Class II: Novice/Intermediate – Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels, which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily avoided by trained paddlers.
- The difficulty ratings for these trips are not exaggerated; a measure of physical strength is necessary, especially in the occasional rescue situation.
Helpful Tips for a More Successful Trip
- Do not take anything (rings, watches, jewelry, meal cards, keys, etc.) with you on the river if it would break your heart to return without it. The Robber Fish can snatch your stuff, so leave valuables in your room or in the van. Protective straps are recommended if you need to wear glasses on the river. If you want to bring a camera, make it a waterproof disposable, not your favorite camera.
- Synthetic fiber and wool garments will help keep you comfortable. As amazing as it might seem, it can be very cold on the river in July! Cotton actually will make you colder. A rain or paddling jacket will be very welcome if there’s a shower! (No ponchos allowed.) It’s a great idea - and a requirement to be prepared.
Shoe Requirement
The point of these requirements is to keep your feet protected from rocks, broken glass, etc. Your shoes must stay on your feet throughout the trip and have a sole that is thick enough to stop sharp objects. Slip-ons, ancient shoes that are barely together, or other footwear that does not protect your feet will not be allowed.
OK for ALL Aquatics trips
Tied, closed-toe shoes with thick enough soles to protect the bottoms of your feet, such as sneakers, tennis shoes, and running shoes; thick-soled water shoes that secure around the foot and have adequate toe protection.
NOT PERMITTED
Open-toed sandals, crocs, flip flops, shoes that slip on, or don’t tie or fasten tightly enough to keep them on.
OK for hiking in a creek (Cascades, triple slog), but NOT for float trips
Hiking boots.
OK for canoeing, kayaking, or tubing but NOT hiking
Open- and closed-toe water shoes with thick soles that stay securely on your feet with straps around the back of your heel.
- 701: Morning CanoeLimit 13
Come enjoy a quiet float along a scenic portion of the New River from Bissett Park to the 114 bridge. We will likely see a variety of wildlife while enjoying this peaceful section of the river along with a smattering of gentle rapids. Opportunity to swim in the middle of the trip as well as some fun rapids just before the take out - swimwear encouraged! We suggest that you have some basic canoeing skills; basic instruction will also be provided. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:20 mins - 702: Evening Downstream CanoeLimit 13
Join us for a late afternoon/evening float on the New River from the Claytor Lake dam boat launch to Bissett Park. There are bald eagles nesting in this section of the river and there are islands that we can navigate through/past as we make our way downstream. We will likely see a variety of wildlife as the day winds down and, if the sky cooperates, a fairly full moon. There are some gentle rapids just before the take out - swimwear encouraged. We suggest that you have some basic canoeing skills; basic instruction will also be provided. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:20 mins - 703: Evening CanoeLimit 12
Always a favorite at SUUSIs past, come for a peaceful and serene dusk into night canoe trip on the New River at the Whitethorn boat launch. Paddling upstream, we will explore a group of islands as we paddle up the river and back. Wildlife is likely on this trip and if the sky cooperates we will greet the waning gibbous moon as it rises just after night settles in. This is a great trip for beginners as it is flat water and we can help provide instruction in basic canoeing technique as we explore the islands. We will takeout at the same place that we launch and there are no rapids. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:40 mins - 704: Family-Friendly CanoeLimit 13
Bring a friend or your family and paddle downstream on a pleasant section of the New River as well as a small portion of the Little River. There are a few easy class-one rapids and lots of beautiful scenery, including a network of intimate islands. We will stop at the takeout to wade and play in the river if we have time – swimwear encouraged! We suggest that you have some basic canoeing skills; basic instruction will also be provided. Only one child permitted if there are two adults in the canoe. Two children may go with one adult. Children must be registered separately. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:20 mins - 705: River CleanupLimit 13
Back by popular demand — roll up your sleeves and come help clean up the New River! We are getting an early start on the day to take advantage of the cooler weather in the morning. Over different years, we have pulled out of the river everything from the usual trash you would expect to tires and even an appliance or two. This is a great opportunity to give back to the New River and leave this wonderful resource a little better than we found it. Plus, not only is it FREE... it is also a great way to connect further/deeper with other SUUSI folks. Swimwear and work gloves are encouraged. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:20 mins - 706: Last Canoe Trip (Family Friendly)Limit 13
During the last full day of SUUSI, you might want to come to enjoy this canoe trip on this breathtakingly scenic portion of the New River from Eggleston to Pembroke. Rolling hills of farmland, multiple bends in the river, high bluffs littered with caves, and even a natural bridge! You are going to have some fun paddling and sightseeing, with a high probability of different wildlife in and out of the water. We will give some basic paddling instruction before we canoe downriver through a few easy to navigate obstacles. If time permits, we should be able to frolic and play in the river at breaks and the takeout, so swimwear is recommended! Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:60 mins - 711: Intro to KayakingLimit 13
Curious about kayaking? Come check out this scenic and challenging stretch of the New River from just below Big Falls to Eggleston. Nothing too technical, just ones and maybe something approaching a two as far as difficulty of rapids, there are a series of ledges for us to navigate and play in, as well as a lot of breathtaking scenery. There will be opportunities to swim, and the river may very well get you to go swimming whether you want to or not, so swimwear is a must! Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) is required. Drive time:45 mins - 721: Whitewater RaftingLimit 6
Want to feel the thrill of going down the world-famous rapids of the New River Gorge in West Virginia? This rafting trip in the Lower New River is challenging with boulders in the gorge creating rapids rated II to IV and runs anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours. This is a challenging trip, which relies on professional guides to bring us through the various rapids. We will have lunch once we arrive at the guide company, before the trip down the river. Straps for those who wear eyewear are very important. Sunscreen, clothes that can get wet, and a towel with a change of clothes for the ride home. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time: 2 hours each way - 731: Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)Limit 13
Would you like to learn the basics of Stand-Up Paddleboarding on Claytor Lake? Our participants will learn some basic paddle strokes and skills, paddleboard & equipment care, as well as other safety information. After a little instruction, we will put our newly learned skills to use on the lake. For those who are interested, some may conclude with some relaxing yoga postures and time for reflection and gratitude while enjoying the peaceful waterfront while others may play with some water toys. Join us as we spend an afternoon taking part in one of the fastest-growing outdoor paddling activities on the water. Swimwear, approved footwear, and water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time:30 mins - 741: Adult TubingLimit 13
Another favorite from SUUSIs past, tubing at Big Falls in McCoy on the New River. A beautiful location with some exciting rapids to go down, as you get off the river at the beach below the rapids, just a short walk back above the falls, you can go again! Wash, rinse and repeat as much as you care to tube over the falls. There are also rocks to relax and watch from, not to mention swimming at the beach/shore. Swimwear, approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) is required. Drive time:45 mins - 742: Family-Friendly TubingLimit 27
Let's go tubing with your family!!! A beautiful location with some exciting rapids to go down, this is a great way to kick up your feet and float down the river! Children 13 and under are required to have a parent or guardian on the trip. For safety, each child should have an adult buddy in the water when tubing. There are also rocks to relax and watch from, not to mention swimming at the beach/shore. Swimwear, approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) is required. Drive time:45 mins