"Chaos!" | GAULEYFEST 2023

GAULEY RIVER FESTIVAL 2023
Gauleyfest always seems to get rowdier each time, whether the chaos at Pillowrock, or the energy of the crowd at the festival. In the end it's a weekend I love to make sure I make it back to, and this year was another epic one!
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• "About as narrow, comm...
IG - @danejacksonkayak
#Whitewater #DaneJackson

[@mrsmartypants_1]

I took up kayaking late in life. Northern boy. Had 2 sons - skate boarding maniacs. Ages 8 and 10. They were bored with our canoeing. Fortunately we were balls to the walls skiers/snowboarders. How can I match the excitement of skiing/riding but in summer? I always dreamed of surfing but we were a 1,000 miles from the west coast. Out of the blue - Whitewater kayaking? Didn’t know a thing about it. Everything lined up due to numerous lucky events and we became a kayaking family. Paddled every chance we got. My kids learned their rolls lickity split and were playboating a lot better than me in no time. Anyways my 3rd year into paddling my wife and I hit Gauleyfest. I was intimidated but wow did it turn out to be a great time. A group of seasoned southern boys volunteered to guide me down the first time who we camped next to the night before. What a GREAT river. What a great festival. Great music. Great times. Everyone was so damn nice. Even though I was a Yankee. Met Dane, Eric, Emily, the wife in their big motor home. Dane was just this little guy. Small for his age. 10 I think? Eric and Dane had to be the first folks to hit the river every morning even though Eric was up late with us passing the bottle. Started talking to Corran Addison the last day - he noticed my Riot and asked how I liked it. He gave me a new prototype Riot to try that day and I paddled with him. What a trip! Everyone has to do GauleyFest at least once.

[@SpotofTeaGirl]

My husband and I rafted the New River twice. Watching this is making us anxious to get over to the Gauley!! Thanks for a great video!

[@danielg4228]

Man ! That's some fine paddling ! Surfing above Pillow Rock , kick flip in the middle and catching the room of doom eddie ! Us , mortals , are just happy to survive the rapid !

[@dddalton23]

Dude was seriously in a pool float?! 1:41

[@Pluto_strange]

My dad went here every year for like 25 years. He had to miss this year because of a heart transplant, he was pretty sad he missed it

[@danejacksonkayak]

Sorry to hear that! Hope everything went good.

[@spriggdude6195]

Aaaahhh! A cup of coffee and DJ video, relax and enjoy the ride!

[@RagingRapids311]

Is that hockey tape you’re using now for grip?

[@danejacksonkayak]

No I still use Electrical tape, hockey tape doesn't work as well once it is wet.

[@Monsteroflopogis]

sick dude, I love the Gauley Fest videos, that place looks awesome! Maybe one day...

[@danejacksonkayak]

Definitely gotta check it out!

[@Thomas-h4n5h]

😂 "Don't pull that!" (Spray skirt almost pulled by person trying to get you up the rock.)

[@woodfish7633]

Dude.. the Great Dane got me hooked. I make my own at any ice cream shop I go to now.

[@danejacksonkayak]

Honored!

[@voet85]

Awesome! sick move above sweets! thanks again for helping a fellow "Dane" out, flow and paddle, felt like home. Hope to catch you on the water again

[@nickcrissey64040]

I’m glad someone got my shit show at 4:17 on video… wish you had the full thing haha.

[@spenny12]

Got cheesed at Pillow lol Sick day, appreciate help on rescue!

[@hunterwhitekayak]

Such an incredible boat and an incredible run! Was good seeing you out there man and hope to catch you next year as well!

[@ManfredHammers]

Fun variety of whitewater! Awesome, and thanks for sharing!

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

that was sick when you charged that rock !

[@matteokayak]

9:50 is crazyyyy considering that boat not a halfslice

[@denisrogers4358]

Anyone seen the Gauleyllama..?!?

[@redheadedjohn]

Howdyshell with the dap of the year

[@brentwade9346]

Awesome vid, Dane!

[@gordmccoll5009]

Lol sooooo many people 😮

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

Looks like fun times.

[@gareymountaineer6226]

Pies and Pints. 😉

[@Tuesday530]

Crazy

[@АлексСерый-с8ы]

Какие вы счастливые!

[@michaelmcclain6899]

LOL @ 3:45 who is the freaky freak?