OCT New River Rendezvous 8/30-9/1

Savanna K · Post by **Savanna K** » Wed Jul 30, 2025 6:45 pm

The annual New River Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend is coming up! Members of several paddling clubs converge at Ray’s Campground in Hico, WV to enjoy novice through advanced trips on the New River or other nearby rivers depending on water levels. Trips are organized during our morning gatherings. On Saturday 8/30 we will meet at Ray's Campground at 10am by the picnic tables behind the office. We'll meet at 9am on Sunday 8/31 and Monday 9/1. If you are driving there Saturday morning then try to allow time to throw camping gear out of the car so you'll be useful for shuttles.

This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers, though if you’ve never been in a boat before then you aren’t ready. At typical summer water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly (class II) while the gorge offers more difficult rapids (class III-IV). With rain other options open up.

Ray’s has reservable and non-reservable tent sites. There are still a few reservable sites left as of posting this but they will probably go quickly with the holiday weekend. There are usually walk-in sites left that weekend - you might just need to share with fellow boaters. At last count it was $11 per person per night. Electric sites are $9 extra. In past years they have accepted cash, check, credit card, and Venmo. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours. You can reserve spots at https://www.rayscampground.com or ‪304-658-4386‬

GPS user note, GPS directions will NOT take you to the put ins or take outs. Please look at a map and/or follow people who know the way. GPS may or may not accurately take you to the campground. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out.

I’ll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and Carolina Canoe Club. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs too.

SYOTR,
Savanna Klein

Terri · Post by **Terri** » Wed Jul 30, 2025 8:47 pm

Thanks Savanna for coordinating! I look forward to this event every year. I'll be camping again at Ray's and paddling upper sections. See you there! Terri

paddlin_bill · Post by **paddlin_bill** » Mon Aug 04, 2025 11:06 pm

I'll be there, but staying off site this year. Looking forward to it!

PaddleBear · Post by **PaddleBear** » Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:56 am

Savanna - THANKS FOR COORDINATING! Schultz' + Spivey (Brian, Elizabeth, William, Scott, Leo and Allen) rented a cabin at RAY's - see you there!

GeorgeMichie · Post by **GeorgeMichie** » Sat Aug 09, 2025 1:55 pm

Miette and I will be there offsite for Saturday and Sunday. We will run a commercial rafting trip on the lower gorge Saturday. We will paddle tandem on an upper section on Sunday. Thanks for organizing!

sregan99 · Post by **sregan99** » Tue Aug 12, 2025 8:18 am

Hi Savanna! I plan to join the Gorge runs Saturday and Sunday, assuming the level is manageable. I'll try to rally a few other rafts for the flotilla! (BTW - thanks for leading on the Dries a few weeks ago, that was a great day!)

dsarisky · Post by **dsarisky** » Tue Aug 19, 2025 8:51 am

Hi Savanna - I'm in and will also be staying offsite.
I got a couple of Gorge laps in at 1.1 and 0.9 since the weekend we did the Dries - so - as long as level as <= 2.5, I'll be there.

- Dan Sarisky
9196222956

Alicia · Post by **Alicia** » Tue Aug 19, 2025 10:27 am

Ken & I will be there. Hoping for a "friendly" level!

Thanks for coordinating, Savanna!

JenVBC · Post by **JenVBC** » Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:06 am

I’m planning to be there.

Mango · Post by **Mango** » Sun Aug 31, 2025 10:51 am

2025-08-30 New River Rendezvous Rafts. Day tripped up for the Saturday paddle of the NRG. Great day on the river with other rafts/rig. THANKS Savanna for Coordinating!
Please tag yourself and download from Flickr whatever you want.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15119405@ ... 4756648965

PaddleAllen · Post by **PaddleAllen** » Tue Sep 02, 2025 12:33 pm

Thank you Savanna for Coordinating!
Thank you Terri for leading the Upper Gorge trips!
Job well done ladies.
Allen

Savanna K · Post by **Savanna K** » Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:15 pm

Thanks to everyone who came out for New River Rendezvous! It was so fun to see so many people from all over.

I did want to get the message out that a few people have tested positive for Covid after this weekend. Might not be a bad idea to take a test. Covid is unfortunately on the up and up. Hope everyone is feeling ok and staying safe!!

FernA · Post by **FernA** » Sat Sep 06, 2025 3:38 pm

Great trip! Thanks Savanah for your leadership and all for the company, lines, pics, campfire, etc! They are not Wade quality or even close, but....here are some shots I took on Sunday. The Hook 99 photos are decent....the Lower Keeney, well....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6gzrasUVpdEFVaN58

sregan99 · Post by **sregan99** » Sun Sep 07, 2025 10:29 am

Here's a bunch of pics and videos my friend Scott took on Saturday at Upper Railroad and at Fayette Station. He didn't know who anybody was so a bunch of these people might not be in our group.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... drive_link

Great weekend!

Coastals

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