Paddling

Find paddling gear, river guides, and stories from the water here. Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding all have a home in the Blue Ridge, in both whitewater and flatwater settings. We’ve got your best river destinations and plans ready, from the Youghiogheny in Pennsylvania and West Virginia’s New River Gorge to the Green in North Carolina and the Chattooga of Georgia – plus everything in between.

Pioneering Paddle: Experience the Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail

Travis Hall09 Aug 18

Paddle the Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail, a 22-mile stretch of the Yadkin River that retraces the life of the Piedmont pioneer.

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Summer Road Trips: For The River Runners

Jess Daddio28 Jul 18

Location: Eastern Tennessee Distance: 123.6 miles Driver: Kirk Eddlemon Instructor, Ace Kayaking School Guidebook Author, Whitewater of the Southern Appalac...

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Who Placed a Pipe Bomb in a Popular Swimming Hole?

Mary Zook23 Jul 18

An active pipe bomb was found in a popular swimming hole in North Carolina's Pigeon River. Authorities still do not know who placed the bomb or their motives.

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Dane Jackson’s Spring Cleaning

Justin Forrest03 Jul 18

Every year, East Tennessee native Dane Jackson returns home to organize a two-day river cleanup, promoting environmental responsibility and paddling. If you're...

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Different Strokes: Bellyak founder Adam Masters picks his go-to gear

Graham Averill16 Jun 18

Adam Masters was born into kayaking. His father, Bill Masters, founded Perception Kayaks in the ‘70s and had a large hand in taking the sport mainstream thanks ...

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The Pace of Paddling: Learning from the French Broad at All Speeds

Brooke Burrows10 May 18

After about three hours on the French Broad River, my arm muscles start to burn and I begin to regret my decision to try out the 20-mile stretch that the partic...

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Stay Wild Chattooga: Celebrate the South’s Wildest River on May 11

BRO Staff01 Apr 18

Help protect the South's Wild and Scenic Chattooga River at a May 11 fundraiser hosted by the Chattooga Conservancy.

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French Broad River Oil Spill: Still More Questions Than Answers

Emily Shea19 Feb 18

The French Broad Oil Spill two weeks ago has largely disappeared from the media, but its effects on drinking water and aquatic systems have not.

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Southeast Steals the Show at ICF World Championships

Travis Hall04 Dec 17

Paddlers hailing from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic represented the USA in a big way at this year's International Canoe Freestyle World Championship in San Juan, Argentina.

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WATCH: Pat Keller Gives Insider Tips on Green Race While Running Rapids on the Green River

Travis Hall02 Nov 17

Pat Keller gives his insider tips on whitewater kayaking North Carolina's Green River in preparation for this weekend's Green Race.

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Maniac Hits 40+ MPH Racing Down A Drainage Ditch In A Kayak

BRO Staff29 Sep 17

This trip down a drainage ditch in a kayak nearly ended with an extremely painful crash about 10 times, but he pulled it off.

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Native River: A solo SUP’er journeys the length of the Little Tennessee

Chris Lechner25 Sep 17

Paddleboarder Chris Lechner completes an SUP first descent of the 139-mile Little Tennessee River. Along the way, he uncovers history beneath the water and wisdom from unexpected sources.

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A Wild Wonderful Weekend at Gauley Fest 2017

Road Team19 Sep 17

Have you ever been to Gauley Fest? See how the madness ensued in the Live Outside and Play Road Team's recap of Gauley Fest 2017!

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Jumping In

Graham Averill11 Aug 17

It’s been said that having a child is both the least and most selfish thing a person can do. Eight years into this parenting experiment and I can honestly say it’s 90% selfish, 10% unselfish.

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What’s the best kayak for your outdoor lifestyle?

Ashley Kairis06 Aug 17

Kayaking is a diverse outdoor sport that can be enjoyed independently or tandem and anywhere from the oceans of the coast to the rushing rivers of the valleys. ...

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Magazine

August 2018: The Parks Guide

July 2018: The Road Trips Issue

June 2018: Splash Into Summer

Paddling

Pioneering Paddle: Experience the Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail

Summer Road Trips: For The River Runners

Who Placed a Pipe Bomb in a Popular Swimming Hole?

Dane Jackson’s Spring Cleaning

Different Strokes: Bellyak founder Adam Masters picks his go-to gear

The Pace of Paddling: Learning from the French Broad at All Speeds

Stay Wild Chattooga: Celebrate the South’s Wildest River on May 11

French Broad River Oil Spill: Still More Questions Than Answers

Southeast Steals the Show at ICF World Championships

WATCH: Pat Keller Gives Insider Tips on Green Race While Running Rapids on the Green River

Maniac Hits 40+ MPH Racing Down A Drainage Ditch In A Kayak

Native River: A solo SUP’er journeys the length of the Little Tennessee

A Wild Wonderful Weekend at Gauley Fest 2017

Jumping In

What’s the best kayak for your outdoor lifestyle?