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.

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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8 Family River Adventures Not to Miss This Summer

Eric Wallace25 Jul 17

These nine canoe camping adventures along Mother Nature’s original water parks highlight the best family-friendly trips in the Blue Ridge.

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Paper Boats

Graham Averill24 Jul 17

So I'm deep in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington right now which is about as far away from my home as you can get and still be in the continental U.S.

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Mountain Mama: The Beauty in Fading

Ky Delaney17 Jul 17

That night my son and I camped alone, and I woke up to my forty-third birthday in a dry tent on a sunny day. We I paddled to waterfalls, slid down rocks, and ate marshmallows smothered in peanut butter until our bellies ached.

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Great Lake: Explore Lake Jocassee

Ky Delaney13 Jul 17

Explore Jocassee Lake—one of the last great places in the world.

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Paddle a River Tomorrow. Do Good Work. Drink Free Beer.

Hartwell Carson07 Jul 17

Earlier this week was July 4th, which means hopefully you blew up stuff, grilled food, and preferably swam in a river or lake. As the French Broad Riverkeeper, ...

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Wonderful Whitewater: 10 Favorite Whitewater Destinations

Alexis Eliot27 Jun 17

Hit the rapids on these 10 top-notch whitewater rivers this summer.

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A Father’s Choice: How Frank Havens Brought Home the Gold

Jess Daddio12 Jun 17

In 1924, canoeist Bill Havens had a choice: compete in the Olympics or witness the birth of his child. Bill chose the latter, and 28 years later, that child, Frank Havens, brought the gold medal home.

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