Kayaking the Lower Gauley

I was honored to be asked to join the crew for River's first descent of the Lower Gauley.
I first met River three years ago. Since then, he has grown into a fine young man and a stellar kayaker! Come along for the ride as I formally introduce River and we FINALLY share a river together as we both get our first descents on the Lower Gauley!
ARCA WORKS Vulcan paddle - www.arcaworks.com?sca_ref=6232053.GxxZxkzSSr
Protect your Brain - amzn.to/47UBR5w
Join this Channel! - / @riverkingskayak

[@brettanie._]

Such an amazing kid! ❤

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Brettanie!

[@Heavenly-Yaking-f3d]

I live in Bluefield, WV. Summersville Lake is less than 2 hours away. I’ve been on the lake several times but I use 14’-18’ sea/recreational kayaks and I’m not nearly good enough to go down the Gauley. I do go down the New & Greenbrier Rivers several times a year (The New River is only 25 miles away) and enjoy them greatly. I’m glad you got to go down the Gauley, I suspect we’ll see additional videos on the Gauley over the next couple of years.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I need to do more in WV all around...

[@NayteMullette]

Good job River is the best! Proud of him!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I know you are!!

[@4JudgeSmails]

Heck yeah! Next year, hot whip and some nicer weather and you're set.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on! The orriginal plan was to marathon it on Saturday, hence the creeker. But we opted to get back towards home due to the hurricane etc. The hotwhip would be soooo good out there!

[@4JudgeSmails]

@@RiverKingsKayak Makes sense, and you'd be fine w/ the Whip for both, but I get taking the RMX for your first time. And I know the decision is not always made for yourself but out of respect for the group and playing it safe.

[@Paddleclips]

Hi Pete, Bob from BC just watched your “Solo Kayak Camping” the ultimate way to Experience the river. Great video Pete last time we spoke I asked you about all year around camping in North Carolina. You are so fortunate to be able to do that. I , we had a short season due to an injury I did to myself. Anyway great video, I guess I just haven’t got enough time kayaking due to healing. Our season is coming to the end. Take care Pete, I will watching your videos and that I guess will have to do.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Paddleclips! You will be back on the water in no time!

[@brookscarney]

Epic footage.. amazing.. it breathes pure heart and soul y'all

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks brookscarney!

[@freelanceminddrift]

The camera on your helmet lets us feel like we're right there with you and all. Well almost. Great to see all ages out there. Thanks for taking us along 👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks FLMD! I wish I put a camera on River!

[@paulrajala8337]

One of the best sections of river I’ve ever paddled, what a special place!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure Paul!

[@SebShredz]

Looks awesome!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks SebShedz!

[@JonathanSanders-s8d]

Easily my favorite river, So glad to see you on it!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jonathan!

[@Matt_Lanzer_13]

Oh shoot! I think I was out video boating the day you guys ran through this! I remember seeing river out in that blue liquid logic a few different days over the past few weeks!(didn’t know his name then lol). Edit: that’s me leaving koontz’ in the Van Halen helmet haha!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on ZHD!! Holler next time!

[@-3-D-]

👋 everyone from central North

[@WVWes]

Awesome, you got to do the lower too!!! Was there a NRG run too? Lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

No, but I need to get back to that one too! It has been too long!

[@WVWes]

@@RiverKingsKayak I bet u could get P5 on the NRG. He'd boss it! Thanks for always showing WV in a good way, Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he wished he went to the gauley...but he was all busied up that weekend

[@RaineyWhitewater]

Is there a reason you hold your left hand closer to the blade then your right? Im very new to whitewater so just curious

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Man, ive been staring at that during the whole edit! No! We laughed about it on the river too. It is driving me nuts. Lol.

[@JorgeLopez-ii5co]

@@RiverKingsKayak I noticed I do the same. I think mentally is to offset the strength on my arms

[@PurelyRecreational.]

@@RiverKingsKayak I do it too but only on straight shaft paddles. Drives me nuts seeing it on video of myself. Always on the non-dominant hand like @JorgeLopez-ii5co mentioned.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I have a theory... I also do a lot of touring with a different paddling setup to include a much longer paddle. My right hand grip is in the same place in distance to the blade as I use on that touring paddle...I had just come off a touring trip, and I think I was just indexing there without even thinking about it with my left hand just falling into the correct distance from the left hand. I did notice I missed some left strokes that day and then realized it was because of how I was choking that paddle on the left. I do see a ton of people doing this at least in a negligible way, but I couldnt unsee it the whole time I was editing...driving me nuts! LOL

[@-3-D-]

I can't see comments 😕

[@travislangolf7800]

I need a terminology and trick explanation

[@RiverKingsKayak]

That would be a good video...