This is the best river line video I have ever seen. I'm 62 now, haven't paddled big water in 17 years. If I had river commentary like this back in the 90s, I might have actually had more fun instead of always fearing if I was on the correct glide path or not. Well done. - Flip Rollem, (ex) Three Rivers Paddling Club. God bless William Nealy.
Wow! Why hasn't this video surfaced before now? Searched for Upper Gualey kayaking POV for years and finally found my definitive guide. Many thanks Stephen Wright!
One of the best videos I've seen on the Upper. Wish I had the benefit of you tube videos on my first trip about 18 years ago. After swimming Insignificant my paddling partners said I was walking out at Pillow if I swam again. Thankfully they were good guides and I made it clean the rest of the way. One of the best days of my life.
Fantastic video. I didn't realise that river was so beautiful. I think a lot of beginners fail to realise the importance of cross current movement. I know this isn't an instructional but if folk pay attention they would learn something here. Again, epic footage. Love the drone work.
Awesome video Stephen! Years ago I put together “The Kayakers Travelogue” to document rivers just like this, it is a lot of work getting different POV’s, info, etc and being able to put them together the way I envisioned was a lot more work than I was able to dedicate. Kudos, the Gauley is my all time favorite!
Hey Stephen, I’m getting ready to head back for Gauley Fest ‘22. 1st time on the river. I have a ‘12 AIRE Sabertooth that I use to pretty much run kayak lines. Your video is phenomenal and I’m hoping to pick up an R2 to go run this river. Much love river soul brother
Best video of upper Gauley I have ever seen. I own property at the top of hill at Mason branch take out. Really beautiful video of the river and good info on kayaking it. Thank you
great video - love the analysis. Keep them coming - even if I am never going to paddle the upper gauley, still very interesting to hear how you approach and navigate a rapid :)
Hi Stephen! Mother here - excellent guide, though I think my days on the UG (which were few) are now numbered. Moved to the Wet House at the start of Covid, and it's now my permanent home. Stop by and say hello sometime.
Great video. I've rafted the Upper Gauley, would love to be good enough to kayak it one day. Biggest I've done in my kayak is the New River Gorge. I run a Jackson Nirvana now, just got it this season, but COVID prevented me from using it more. I paddled a Zen-2 and Traverse before that.
The Zen 3, looking forward to that release and comparing it to the Zen 2 and Nirvana. I paddle a Zen 2, but have considered a Nirvana and other 9ft race boats before. That video is sweet and has great info; maybe in a year or two, I'll feel comfortable enough to run the Gauley. I ran the Ocoee and New River Gorge the first time this summer. My local run is Goshen Pass on the Maury.
