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    Kayak Richmond

    5.0 (3 reviews)
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    11 years ago

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    Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater on the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

    Huguenot Flatwater

    3.0(3 reviews)
    4.9 kmSouthampton

    We headed to Huguenot Flatwater last night to do some kayaking with our group. It is very easy to…read morefind, and there is a small parking lot there. I can see it being frustrating to find a spot as it gets closer to boating season though. I was not a fan of the boat launch area, it's design was not very user friendly for easily getting into your kayak. You have to step off a ledge into your boat, or use the small muddy area to load and push off. The point it puts you into the river is great though, and you can go left for a nice paddle up to Bosher's Dam.

    During this crazy time of Covid and politics, our priorities have shifted from dining out…read morefrequently, to attempt a more healthy lifestyle of cooking most meals at home, and seeking out alternative sources of entertainment, ones that permit us to breathe in fresh air, enjoy what nature has to offer, and maintain social distancing. So, after visiting a few terrific Virginia State parks, renting kayaks, we decided that this would be something we would like to do regularly, and purchased our own boats. How many times have you crossed Huguenot bridge and thought, oh neat, look at the people kayaking, what fun? Yea, that has been me for years. So we decided to check out the Huguenot Flatwater put-in area and while it is a challenge, it is doable. By this, I mean, it is CRAZY steep, there is a ramp that the "fit and brave" smaller and experienced kayaker can attempt. For us, we carried our kayaks down the steps and were able to launch from there with relative ease. The main issue we had, was that it got super busy, and it was really noisy with the constant sound of vehicles on the bridge. We paddled down river for a bit but decided to play it safe and head back up river so we could float back and were not fighting the current and didn't get too worn out. When we were about ready to head back in, there were so many people trying to put in, that people were having to wait to get out. And then a bus load from a tour company came and we decided to head over to where a trail end let out on the river, decided it was safe, and we carried our kayaks through the trail and back to our car. Not far. The "coolness" and novelty of urban kayaking wore off within 5 minutes of being in the river. It wasn't peaceful at all, but we did get a decent workout and enjoyed the views. We will definitely continue to seek out different places to kayak, and kudos to those who love the adrenaline of being in that environment. I personally just prefer more quiet and fewer people.

    Photos
    Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

    Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

    Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Bridge

    Huguenot Bridge

    Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

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    Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

    James River Runners - Cool rock island

    James River Runners

    3.5(20 reviews)
    86.8 km

    We decided to do a little kayaking at the last minute, and James River Runners was able to fit us…read morein for a 3-mile paddle. We showed up for our 12pm float, signed our waivers and loaded up into their van. They load and unload the kayaks and paddles while you pick out your life vest. The owner ( i believe) drove us to the starting point and explained the features of the river to us. He told us that at the halfway point there is a beach area that many lunch at and that there were rapids at the end of the ride. He told us it's a fun little rapid that was nothing major but if we wanted to avoid it, just veer to the left. I went through it of course, but when I turned around, my buddy was laid over on his side. Apparently, he missed the narrow passageway because of a preteen in a tube was in the way. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. Anyway, you can canoe, tube or kayak with distances of 9 or 3 miles. The 3-mile float took us about 90 minutes if I had to guess. Honestly wasn't paying attention. We really didn't paddle, just steered from time-to-time and let the current do its thing. My only complaint is their snack selection was limited. We drove up from Appomattox Court House and there wasn't a lot of places to stop along the way. Not their fault but having some beef jerky would have been swell.

    We pre booked a group of nine prior to arrival after calling directly to have a few questions…read moreanswered. I'm unsure who we spoke with over the phone but they were pleasant. First hiccup was check-in when the parking attendant couldn't find our reservations because she confused the first and last name of our reservation. We were frustrated trying to locate our reservation confirmation with spotty cell service and calling a similarly named company to confirm we were at the right location. She was apologetic after the mistake but didn't provide much direction after our waivers were signed. We walked to the building to confirm our reservation again and had to request life jackets for the children in our group. Life jackets are provided free of cost. We waited for other groups to gather for a brief instruction which included information on an island that can be stopped at, some points of reference for the tube float and instructions for exiting/ time to return by. The gentleman instructing was kind and personable. Transportation is provided upriver. The bus left after confirming everyone had a tube with no further instruction and no staff stationed at the entry point. We had no instruction that there was a basket with rope at the side to rope tubes together. This was pointed out to us by others tubers that were present. We spent the extra $10 for a 'cooler tube' which was a regular tube with two pieces of rope tied on to form an X in the center. We had to add ropes to our cooler tube to ensure our backpack cooler stayed in the tube. The entry point was nothing more than a step sandy path directly into the river. Shoes are required and a necessity as the depth varied and there were a lot of large rocks/ fallen trees that were difficult to see underwater. Once settled we joined many others on the river as it was a hot July day. The float was enjoyable for the most part although one of the ropes that I used to attach my son's tube to mine broke (not came untied) in the river which was frustrating. We opted not to stop at any islands and there was no signage for our float other than where to exit. The exit itself had some small rapids and I felt that the current picked up close to exiting. There were staff at the exit but they offered to cut ropes and take tubes to shore not to offer any assistance to those exiting. Again the depth fluctuated and there were large submerged rocks at the exit which were difficult to see/ navigate underwater. While this was my first time tubing, I have canoed and kayaked (in another state) before and was not as pleased with this experience as I have been with prior river rental experiences.

    Photos
    James River Runners - Paddling along the 3 mile trip

    Paddling along the 3 mile trip

    James River Runners - A day on the river is a good day

    A day on the river is a good day

    James River Runners

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    Virginia Outdoor Center - August 2023

    Virginia Outdoor Center

    3.2(20 reviews)
    88.9 km

    This place is amazing! The staff if great and super friendly. The launch site is right there and…read moreyou escort yourself out. I like that because you dont have to wait for a bus or other people. The river portion is everything because it starts out slow then you drop into a few "just right" rapids. There is a spot to jump off some rocks, my son loved that! At the end you come out to a ricer beach area , where you can play in the water or walk your tube up to a shaded spot wnd wait for the bus. The bus is cool little way to end the trip! Plus you can get right back in the river and do it again!! Second time in a month I have come and keep getting new friends to experience it!

    It is a shame to give this facility a bad review. The owner, Bill, was wonderful. The land and…read morefacilities were beautiful. The point of this review is not just to inform potential customers of the abusive treatment of staff but to try to reach Bill to let him know that he needs to change his staff. Candy, the seeming manager of the outfit, was positively awful and noted as a 'Karen' in other reviews. As stated in other reviews, Candy's abusive attitude while in a leadership position has also permeated other aspects of this organization, sometimes putting children in danger. Candy's abusive behavior includes but is not limited to yelling while contradicting what the owner had told us the night before, demanding 30 minutes before time to leave that we were to do a mandatory service project that she had mistakenly left off the official paperwork, and was not explained to those present until pack out. Candy's response to being questioned about the contradictory information was to alter and resend official paperwork and change the website afterward. When Candy was allowed to communicate directly, she remained silent when proven wrong and instead sent false emails regarding conversations to other organization members. Other than that, our canoeing instructor was gruff but incredibly knowledgeable. The students had the most comprehensive canoeing instruction I had ever seen, and the instructor enabled them to meet their goals. That said, if you go for canoe instruction and get Mike, he will scare the students if they are not forewarned. Please help your students to be active participants and answer questions. Pre-education in canoeing may also help as he tends to ask questions about things he has not yet introduced.

    Photos
    Virginia Outdoor Center - Pick up sight

    Pick up sight

    Virginia Outdoor Center
    Virginia Outdoor Center

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    Kayak Richmond - rafting - Updated September 2026

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