Best Beginner River Kayaking

Join us for a look at the North Fork of the Mayo River. In the central North Carolina, Southern Virginia area, this may just well be the best river for beginner whitewater kayakers. With several miles of class 1 and class 2 rapids and ending with two class 3 rapids known as the boiling hole and the S turn, this stretch of river has everything needed to challenge and grow a new kayaker's skills and confidence. Come along as some first time newbies as they try their hand at whitewater kayaking on the Mayo!
Always carry a safety whistle! - amzn.to/3XI5Ab6
For Stickers, mail a stamped / self-addressed envelope with $1 per sticker desired to:
River Kings
PO Box 222
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
Join this channel:
/ @riverkingskayak

[@mikeemmons4062]

Great video. You're a fantastic ambassador for the sport.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Mike!

[@lewy1]

The middle channel of the Ottawa river is a great river to learn on. Nice safe rapids and the water is warm during the summer.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

The Ottawa is on my hit list!

[@michaelraab4907]

Another great video by the legend himself! Always fun to watch you teach a new generation.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Michael! I dont know about legend though...Im just another kayaker that loves being on the water!

[@michaelraab4907]

@@RiverKingsKayak come on now Pete, you call everyone else the legend. Take a well deserved compliment. I just became a channel member today, I am looking forward to keeping up with any meet ups that may happen in my neck of the woods. I would love to paddle with some of the River Kings crew sometime, you guys have so much fun.

[@jairusstoudenmire3917]

Tristen said, "no, I'm not ready" at the seal launch. But sometimes you have to do it scared!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thats right!!

[@gw6797]

Only my second time on whitewater which was grade 1 and 2. First time in my second hand Jackson karma and was told by my instructor I was paddling too fast and seemed to have trouble keeping it pointed in the direction I wanted to travel, great fun though, any tips welcome and absolutely love your videos Pete 👍👍👍 Atb, Graeme

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Graeme! Well, video would be helpful. Your instructor is probably right on track. A common mistake by newer kayakers is to add way too much speed when coming into features. Adding too much speed will also make controlling the kayak more difficult.

[@gw6797]

@@RiverKingsKayak Cheers Pete

[@followingrj]

He’s good he’s good….he’s not good Ding 😂

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!!

[@adulfdabo898]

That one made me laugh as well 😄. I felt a bit sorry for him, but sometimes you simply have to entertain your friends... Great to watch, as always!

[@followingrj]

@@adulfdabo898 yeah man the commentary was classic 😂

[@troybennington3479]

Waiting for that invite! Wilson’s let’s send it!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Lets go!

[@kwright683]

Great vid as always!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks K!

[@troybennington3479]

My first real river was north branch of the Potomac , what’s with north branches! That was the day I fell in love. Need to work on your Baton twirling skills😎

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Troy!

[@RileyOutside]

"He's good! He's good!........ He's not good."

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL ! Thanks Riley!

[@Pete_R63]

Off topic, GoPro just posted a video of snow kayak racing and the boat it was filmed from has a River Kings sticker on it!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Oh man! Send that link!

[@bronsonguidry1744]

Absolutely loved this video and hope I can run this river soon. This is very inspiring! All that aside... I loved the music in this video, could you please share the info?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Various songs from epidemic sound and artlist...

[@MrBob121582]

Just took my Alpha 90 out for the first time on my local creek today called Lycoming creek. This is my first whitewater kayak and I was wondering if it's normal for that boat to do random 180s or is my seat in the wrong position? I did swim today

[@josh8058]

Pretty normal when you're starting out. Just keep at it. Try anticipating the boat turning early and counteract it. Whitewater boats are made to spin. If you're not paddling and let off they will naturally spin out on you.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes, totally normal! In fact, one of the first things I look for when gaging a newer paddler is how much effort they seem to be applying to just going straight. After a while, it just comes naturally. In the beginning though, lots of spinning!

[@MrBob121582]

Thank you very much for taking the time out to read and reply to my comment. I will definitely work harder at keeping the alpha on the straight and narrow water path. This channel is awesome I have learned a lot like how to read the creeks and what hazards to watch out for. This channel inspired me to ditch the Aruba 10 for the Alpha 90 it's so much faster . Be safe out there and I look forward to more epic content from the River King's. Thanks Pete

[@FeWolf]

At what gauge height or cfs do you suggest?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

This video, the flow was 310 cfs and I think that is perfect for a beginner.