Canoeing the James river

  "No Worry Family and Friends' Fun"
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Have you ever wished that you could attend a get-together with friends and young children without the worry of hearing bad language, alcohol drinking, smoking, or gossiping? ​

This month I attended a father and daughter weekend canoe trip with friends from several local churches. I am a grandfather, and I was invited to participate by my son-in-law and granddaughter.

Six fathers and their young daughters, ages nine to eleven, and I floated down the James River headwaters, stopping overnight at a campground and then continuing downstream to a take-out point.  The girls and fathers set up camp and cooked meals. Each canoe contained one father in the back and his daughter in the front. The fathers fished while the daughters paddled along the river. The James River flows fast enough along this section so that it did not take a lot of effort to navigate downstream. Occasionally, some of the girls would jump into the water for a refreshing dip in the river.

The rapids were easily-navigated whitewater Class I's and II's.  Fathers provided lunch from the coolers carried in their  canoes. Sometimes the canoeist would turn upstream and try to surf the  rapids. ​​

​​My Native Ultimate 12 foot Kayak


This kayak is made of Kevlar type composition with an adjustable chair seat and foot pedals.  I purchased a two-part bow spray skirt to keep water from splashing over the front of the kayak.    


​I also purchased a stern cooler pack that fits into the rear of the kayak.  I attached fishing rod and GoPro handles along the front and sides of the kayak. 

​Fathers and their daughters paddling along the river

All of the girls wore swim suits and Coast Guard approved life preservers.  All of the fathers were avid canoeists and had many years experience paddling canoes along streams.

​Paddling and fishing along the James River
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The James River at this point is a relatively fast- flowing larger body of water.  We put the canoes in just below the confluence of the Jackson and Cow Pasture Rivers.   The banks of the river are lined with steep grades and an occasional pasture.

​Headwaters of the James River near Roanoke, Virginia.

​The dads fish, while the girls paddle and swim occasionally.