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.
- 711: Intro to Whitewater CanoeLimit 14
Want to learn how to maneuver a canoe in moving water or brush up on rusty skills not recently used? Join us in this instructional clinic to practice how to read and navigate river features with different strokes and techniques from the front or back of the boat (yes, they are often different!). We will review safety and rescue practices while engaging in "river play" - surfing, eddying out, and directing our canoes through class 1+ rapids. This trip is a prerequisite for #741 All-day Whitewater Canoe. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time: 20 mins
- 712: Intro to Whitewater KayakingLimit 12
Curious about kayaking? Want to learn how to maneuver one in moving water or brush up on rusty skills not recently used? Join us in this instructional clinic to practice how to read and navigate river features while having a lot of wet fun! We will review safety and rescue practices while engaging in "river play" - surfing, eddying out, and directing our boats through class 1+ rapids. There will be opportunities to swim, and the river may very well get you to go swimming whether you want to or not; swimwear is a must! This trip is a prerequisite for #742 All-day Whitewater Kayak. Approved footwear and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time: 20 mins
- 713: Evening Downstream CanoeLimit 14
Join us for an evening float on the New River from the Claytor Lake dam boat launch to Dudley Landing at 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. 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. Recommended: headlamp or flashlight. Drive time: 15 mins
- 721: Family-Friendly CanoeLimit 14
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 is 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
- 722: Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)Limit 14
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 and equipment care, and 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, dry towel, approved footwear, and water (32oz or more) are required. Drive time: 20 mins
- 723: Evening CanoeLimit 14
Always a favorite at SUUSIs past! Come for a peaceful and serene dusk-into-night canoe trip at a new location- the SELU Conservancy on the Little River. We will paddle "downstream" (really flat water) from the Conservancy dock to the Little River Dam, located just below the Claytor Dam on the New River. We will then paddle back "upstream". Time permitting, we can walk 1/4 mile down a path to Big John's Laughing Place overlook we will have seen from the river. 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 Little River. 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. Recommended: headlamp or flashlight. Drive time: 20 mins
- 731: River CleanupLimit 14
Back by popular demand — roll up your sleeves and come help clean up the New River by canoe! 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: 15 mins
- 732: Family-Friendly TubingLimit 13
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. There also rocks to relax on and watch from, not to mention swimming at the beach/shore. Recycle through the rapids as much as you care to with short walk back up, 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. Swimwear, approved footwear, and drinking water (32oz or more) is required. Drive time: 45 mins
- 741: All-Day Whitewater CanoeLimit 10
Join us on this all-day river adventure - a favorite from the past! Challenge yourself as we put our knowledge and skills to the test on this stretch of the New river featuring class I & II rapids. We'll take on ledges, zig-zag rapids, and standing waves with plenty of time in-between to rest, swim, and play. We will have lunch on the bank of the river and have the opportunity to swim some rapids. This trip requires Intro to WW Canoe #711 as a pre-requisite or previous RECENT SUUSI whitewater experience at the discretion of Nature Staff. Approved footwear, a rain/paddle jacket (no ponchos), and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Recommended are a dry-bag, sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes. Drive time: 55 minutes
- 742: All-Day Whitewater KayakLimit 4
Join us on this all-day river adventure - a favorite from the past! Challenge yourself as we put our knowledge and skills to the test on this stretch of the New river featuring class I & II rapids. We'll take on ledges, zig-zag rapids, and standing waves with plenty of time in-between to rest, swim, and play. We will have lunch (carried by canoes) on the bank of the river and have the opportunity to swim some rapids. This trip requires Intro to WW Kayak #712 as a pre-requisite or previous RECENT SUUSI whitewater kayak experience at the discretion of Nature Staff. Approved footwear, a rain/paddle jacket (no ponchos), and drinking water (32oz or more) are required. Recommended are a dry-bag, sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes.
- 751: Last Canoe Trip (Family Friendly)Limit 14
Don’t miss out on this breathtakingly scenic portion of the New River from Eggleston to Pembroke on the last full day of SUUSI. On this canoe trip we’ll travel multiple bends in the river and will be surrounded by rolling hills of farmland, high bluffs littered with caves, and even a natural bridge! We will enjoy 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 Class I 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. Lunch is provided. Drive time: 45 mins
- 752: Adult TubingLimit 27
A tubing trip for adults only! 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 to the Big Falls at McCoy. Take out at the beach below the falls and hang out or head up to shoot the falls again. Recycle through the rapids as much as you care to with that short walk back up.