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Canoeing The New River
About Our Canoe Trips Discounts Pricing Trips Preparation River Levels/Weather Terms and Conditions
Our outfitting services will resume normal operation 5/9/08.
About Our New River Canoe Trips
The New River attracts canoeists, anglers, rafters, kayakers, rock climbers, bird watchers, and a host of other outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. Canoes are the vessel of choice on the New River because they are maneuverable, easy to handle, and can be packed with your gear. Canoes are perfect for a family outing or fisherman looking to land some smallies. Canoe the New maintains a fleet of twenty16' Buffalo Royalex Canoes. These canoes are built to "withstand the roughest of rivers and smoothest of lakes." For safety, we do not allow more than 2 people in our canoes. Our canoe trips are self-guided. Each paddler will be given a thorough river orientation and a detailed map of the river trip they are undertaking. In addition, basic paddling instruction can be provided to the novice paddler. Next, you will be shuttled to the launch site where you will embark on your adventure. Please note that the lengths of the trips noted below is an estimate of how long they may take you to float. How fast or slow you paddle and the river level are just two factors that can cause your trip to be shorter or longer. For all trips, there will be a negotiated pick-up time at the take-out.
Please contact us if you wish to plan an overnight trip on The New. We will be glad to assist you in your trip planning.
Notes:
- Please show up ON TIME and READY TO GO! This includes using the restroom...there is NO PUBLIC RESTROOM at our town shop!
- All our boat rentals include the shuttle.
- In order to enhance the quality of our world-class fishery, Canoe the New practices strict CPR (Catch, Photo, and Release) of all fish caught in the New River, and we ask that our clients do the same.
 
2008 Discounts
-10% discount on livery services for groups of 20 or more, any day.
-10% discount on livery services, any day, regardless of group size for: Virginia Tech or Radford students wth valid college ID, Boy and Girl Scout troops on official troop outings, church youth groups in which at least half the participants are under 18, and active military. (Excludes guided fishing trips.)
 
2008 Pricing (Excludes 5% Sales Tax)
Day Trips (Weekend: Fri - Sun) $50/canoe
Day Trips (Mid-Week: Mon - Th) $45/canoe
Overnight Trips (Does not include minimal camping fee) $95/canoe one night, $140/canoe two nights, $185/canoe three nights.
Mid-Week Overnight Trips (All days mid-week & does not include minimal camping fee.) $85/canoe one night, $125/canoe two nights, $165/canoe three nights
 
Trip Descriptions
Day Trips - All of our day trips run on these three sections.
Trip #6: (6 miles)
Time: Canoeists can expect a three to five hour trip if casually floating.
Description: This run has one strong Class II, two milder class II's, and several Class I's and riffles.
Trip #7: (2.5 miles)
Description: One class II at the put-in, but the rest are easy riffles and Class I's.
Trip #8: (8.5 miles)
Description: Some of the best paddling in Virginia. There is one strong Class II rapid and numerous milder Class II's and I's that liven up this float. An overall great paddling trip.
Overnight Trips - We utilize the sections below plus our day trips for our overnight trips.
Trip #1: (4 miles)
Description: A great relaxing or starter run.
Trip #2: (6 miles)
Description: This section has one Class II rapid as well as a sole Class I and some riffles. This is a very gentle section.
Trip #3: (8.5 miles)
Description: Has a Class I to II rapid with a number of riffles. It also has a strong class II+ series of ledges and a dropoff at the end.
Trip #4: (7 miles)
Description: Plenty of flat water and numerous riffles. This run also has a strong class II rapid, best run on the right side.
Trip #5: (2.5 miles)
Description: Fairly mild and gentle waters with some rapids.
 
Preparation
Equipment:
What is included in the rental fee?
The basic rental fee includes the use of either a canoe or kayak; paddle(s); personal flotation device(s); maps; drybag; and shuttle service. An extra paddle will be supplied for each canoe during overnight trips. Helmets and spray-skirts can also be provided.
Things to Bring:
1. Bathing suit or shorts & T-shirt.
2. Old tennis shoes, water shoes, or sandals - NO FLIP FLOPS!
3. Sun screen and a hat.
4. If you wear glasses, a retainer strap is recommended.
5. Towel and dry clothes for after the trip.
6. In cool weather, you should wear wool clothing and a windbreaker or a rain jacket.
7. Please do not bring along any jewelry or other valuables.
8. Plenty to drink!! Cold drinks for hot weather and warm drinks for cold weather. (You can even pack a picnic.)
9. Valid Virginia Fishing License is required for all persons age 16 or older planning to fish. If you are a non-resident of Virginia, you are required to have a permit if you are 12 or older.
Things to Remember:
1. Show up ON TIME...other customers may be on your shuttle and do not want to wait for you and YOU MAY BE LEFT BEHIND!
2 . No glass containers or Styrofoam coolers.
3 . No pets.
4 . No littering.
5 . Drugs and alcohol have no place near a river.
6 . Age, height, and weight requirements vary by activity. Please call for details.
7 . Trips run rain or shine. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone any river trip due to unfavorable river levels and/or weather conditions (your choice of a refund or a voucher).
8 . Deposit is forfeited in the event of a "no show."
Assumption of Risk:
Outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks, dangers, and hazards. Your participation in such activities, including use of Canoe the New's services and equipment, may result in injury, illness, or death. Canoe the New assumes no responsibility for personal safety and/or loss of personal property. We ask that you read and sign a "waiver and release of liability form" before you make the trip. A parent or guardian must sign a "parent/guardian permission form" for those under 18. You participate at your own risk
Self-Guided Trips:
All of Canoe the New's trips are self-guided. You are responsible for yourself and your personal items on the river. You must be in good health and be physically fit. You should be in good mental condition and know your limitations. You should expect fun and relaxation, but know that there will be some challenges. You will need to be able to assist in loading and unloading your canoe (80 lb.) and carry it over short distances. Because of the risks associated with the sport, it is recommended that you be a competent swimmer. If you have any special medical conditions, consult your doctor before taking any trips and notify a Canoe the New staff member about your condition before participating
Orientation:
Before you begin your trip, Canoe the New will give you a fifteen-minute orientation. Professional paddlers have designed the American Canoe Association’s National Livery Safety System to supply you with basic skill knowledge that you will need to have a safe and pleasant experience on the river. Some of the topics you will learn about during the orientation session are:
1. The importance of wearing your life jacket and how to properly size it. It is of the up most importance to wear your life jacket at all times on the New River due to the unexpected rising river levels created by the releasing of water from Claytor Dam.
2. How to lower your center of gravity by kneeling in your boat.
3. Proper paddle selection and the basic strokes required to paddle down the river and around the rocks.
4. How to properly "swim" a rapid should your boat capsize or turn over.
5. How to properly "read" the water, how to recognize hazards, and how to locate and navigate the proper channels.
6. Do not tailgate when in a crowd or with a group. However, when in a group, keep the boat behind you and the boat in front of you within your sight.
7. If caught in a lightening storm, get off the river and do not take shelter under the tallest trees.
8. How to avoid pinning and damaging your boat or losing your boat.
9. Understanding the "things to bring."
10.Understanding the "things to remember."
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. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class II+".
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. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class III-" or "Class III+" respectively.
 
New River Water Levels and Weather Forecasts
Please visit our river/weather information page to view USGS and weather.com links for the current river levels and weather conditions in our area.
 
Terms and Conditions
Deposit: Groups renting 4 canoes or less: $20 per canoe due at time of reservation.
Groups renting5 canoes or more & all overnight trips: 50% of total due at time of reservation.
Balance: The remaining balance is due at check-in. The overall total will include a 5.0% sales tax.
Payment Policy: All deposits must be made with a credit card. We accept Mastercard and Visa only. Please call 540-921-7438 with CC information. Your balance may be paid with cash, credit card, or check. A $25 fee will apply to any returned checks.
Cancellation Policy:
For groups of 4 persons or less - Before 72 hours of reservation date: Your deposit will be refunded minus a $20 cancellation fee. Within 72 hours of reservation date: You will forfeit your entire deposit.
For groups of 5 persons or more - Before 72 hours of your reservation date: You have 3 days from the time of cancellation to reschedule a comparable trip of equal value. Your deposit (minus a $50 rescheduling fee) will be applied to the new trip. If your group does not reschedule within the 3 days, your entire deposit will be forfeited. Should your group reschedule, and have to cancel again, your entire deposit will be forfeited automatically. Within 72 hours of your reservation date: Your entire deposit will be forfeited.
*Due to scheduling limitations, there are no exceptions to this policy.*
Canoe the New reserves the right to cancel or reschedule your trip should river conditions be too dangerous for your scheduled trip. Such cancellations may occur at any time and without prior notification.
No refunds will be made because of poor fishing or swimming conditions, overcast skies, rain or chance of rain, or late arrival.
If your trip is cancelled by Canoe the New due to the aforementioned conditions, your trip will be rescheduled, any payments will be refunded, or you will be issued a voucher.
Please call us or check our website if you are unsure of the weather conditions especially in the spring when river conditions may be fluctuating. Canoe the New will make every effort to contact you ASAP if your trip is cancelled.
Liabiliy Waivers: Please read the liabilty waiver form and/or parent permission forms. Sign the forms and either mail them to us with your deposit check or bring them with you to arrival to help speed up the the check-in process.
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