Beginner Whitewater Kayaking – Chasing Rapids in the Region

By Bob Frank

When many people read about whitewater kayaking, it usually includes spectacular footage from exotic and/or remote places like Chile, Nepal or Zambia. In North America, it could be from the Ottawa River, Salmon in Idaho, or the epic and highly coveted run of the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. The videos usually depict dare devil elite “Red Bull” athletes navigating raging rapids or defying death while bombing off 75-foot waterfalls. 

What they may not realize is that within the broader whitewater community there is a place for mortals that safely and routinely want to get out on the water to enjoy the sport and the benefits of being in the outdoors. No offense to extreme kayaker, Dane Jackson, but this article is geared toward those that might be interested in trying whitewater kayaking and mimics my own experience as a beginner. But by all means still check out “DJ’s” videos!

Getting Started

Within the Northeast and close proximity to the Capital Region and Adirondacks, there are some incredible rivers and creeks that can be run safely with the right level of preparation.  If you are new to the sport, one of the best ways to enter the sport is to join a club. One such local group which has helped hundreds of people is the Schenectady Whitewater Club, which is part of the Schenectady Chapter of Adirondack Mountain Club: adk-schenectady.org.

The Schenectady Whitewater Club is over 50 years old and currently has 120 members. It’s comprised of elite paddlers who regularly tackle Class IV-V rivers to beginners who literally have barely any experience on the water. This is an incredibly vibrant and inclusive group that has “amassed a wealth of knowledge of paddling and of the region’s rivers.” From my own personal experience, they are enthusiastic and eager to share their passion with new members. 

SWC leads more than 20 local whitewater trips annually, and they coordinate multiday events in Maine, West Virginia, North Carolina, Ottawa, and other prime whitewater destinations. They also participate in several river festivals such as the Deerfield, Beaver, and Gatineau. These festivals not only promote the sport but also advocate for the environment. They are generally geared toward more experienced paddlers, but the club also hosts day and weekend clinics for beginners, and winter pool sessions to help improve paddling strokes and rolling techniques. They also provide support with gear and equipment.    

Where to Begin Paddling

If you are local and want to get into whitewater paddling, are curious about it, or just want to improve paddling skills, you might want to consider connecting with the ADK. Or, consider taking lessons at Zoar Outdoor Adventure Center on the Deerfield River in Charlemont, Mass. In New England and the New York City area, there are other clubs such as the Vermont Paddles Club or Kayak & Canoe Club of New York. 

The benefits of joining a club and/or taking formal lessons are many. These options help you figure out whether you like the sport by easing you into it in a safe manner. It also enables you to get exposure to the different types of boats and equipment required to enter the sport. This alone can be a dizzying and expensive experience for newbies. 

Most clubs have loaner equipment at no cost which is included in your basic club membership. Club members are often also very generous with loaning equipment to beginners. Outfitters such as Zoar offer lessons and complete outfitting as part of their clinics. They teach fundamental river skills such as edging your kayak into turns, setting angles and ferrying across river currents, and performing river maneuvers like eddy turns and peel outs, to set you on a path toward confidently paddling on your own. The Sacandaga Outdoor Center in Hadley is another longstanding resource for paddling locally.

River Classifications

A key aspect of paddling moving water for beginners, novices and experts alike is understanding river classifications. The classifications describe the characteristics of a river and assign a difficulty level of a river. They are universally applied but are subjective and can vary with fluctuating water levels. Typically, high water levels and flows increase the difficulty of rapids. But this is not always the case. Some rapids become more difficult at lower water levels because of exposed obstacles. 

The classification systems also do not consider the type of boat being paddled. Some rapids may present more challenges for rafts, while other rapids may be more difficult for a paddler in a kayak or open canoe. Finally, major events like ice storms or floods can change the shape of rapids, thus vastly altering their classification. 

The classifications are as follows: Class I – Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Class II – Easy rapids with smaller waves, clear channels that are obvious without scouting. Some maneuvering might be required. Class III – Rapids with high, irregular waves. Narrow passages that often require precise maneuvering. Classic IV – Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require complex maneuvering in turbulent water. The course may be hard to determine, and scouting is often necessary. Classic 5 – Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes, which should be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult, and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Class VI – The difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For teams of experts only. Involves risk of life. Class VI rapids are not commercially raftable.

Rivers and creeks can be incredible natural forces subject to change at any time.   Fortunately, there are digital resources available from USGS, NOAA and others that let you monitor the conditions often in real time to help plan your trips. Understanding the classification systems and the factors that can alter them leads to more fun on the water and a safer experience. With respect to safety, paddlers should not paddle alone, they should always wear a personal flotation device (PFD), and should not overestimate their skill level and should always be mindful of weather and river classifications.        

Local Places to Paddle

Within a one- to two-hour radius of the Capital Region and Adirondacks we are fortunate to have some fantastic whitewater resources. This is just a short list of local paddling opportunities:

Hudson River

This iconic waterway offers experts and beginners alike some of the most incredible whitewater opportunities. The Upper Hudson, including the Indian River, has been a top destination for expert kayakers and whitewater rafting companies for decades. Trips and outfitters often originate out of the North Creek area and start on the Indian River which then joins the Hudson. This 14-mile paddle through “The Gorge,” which consists of class III-IV rapids can be an incredible experience that creates lifelong memories.  

For beginners, the section between North River and North Creek is a good option, with easy access just above the rest area on NY Route 28 in North River. This section of the river provides about five miles of slow-moving water, with a few Class I-II rapids, and some incredible scenery – which no doubt will make you want to come back for more. At the right water levels, the next section of the Hudson between North Creek, Riparious and Glen offers about 14 miles of Class I-III rapids. There is easy access to the river from North Creek behind the downtown pavilion. This section is livelier and has some incredible scenery.

Schroon River

Down the road from the Hudson, but still part of its big brother’s tributary. The Schroon with the right water levels can also offer some beautiful views and lively Class I-III rapids. The 6.5-mile section below the dam in Starbuckville to the takeout at Riverbank just north of Exit 24 of the Northway takes you through “Adirondack scenery,” while also offering some exhilarating rapids. Water levels usually remain high enough until Memorial Day and after significant rain events to run this section of the Schroon. When you’re done on the river, complete your Adirondack experience by visiting the Crossroads Country Store in Chestertown, The Hub in Brant Lake, or Adirondack General Store in Adirondack.

Sacandaga River

Another river with many branches that’s also a tributary of the Hudson River is the Sacandaga. With the right conditions, it offers many whitewater opportunities. One of the most popular, and reliable, due to dam releases is the Class I-III section between the Stewart’s Dam and the Hudson River. From the Sacandaga Outdoor Center in Hadley, kayaking, rafting, and tubing can all be experienced in a family-friendly atmosphere. But don’t let this three-mile stretch of river, which can be accessed just below the Stewart’s Dam, fool you. There are a few very powerful play waves on this stretch, and capsizing can lead to a long swim especially at the bottom of this run. If this occurs, you may find yourself starting your trip on the Sacandaga, and ending it several hundred yards down the Hudson River!

Deerfield River

This diverse and historical river in our backyard runs for 76 miles from southern Vermont through northwestern Massachusetts all the way to the Connecticut River. The popular Fife Brook section of the river is located in Charlemont, Mass., and is mostly beginner-friendly with Class I-II rapids – perfect for practicing and honing skills. There is also one Class III rapid called “Zoar Gap,” which if not respected will send paddlers for an exuberant swim. On weekends, onlookers often can be seen on the road above the Gap offering encouragement to those about to run it, and to witness the carnage that ensues to those that “swim” the gap.

The Fife Brook section of the river offers over eight miles of paddling with spectacular views, through pristine wilderness and many deep valleys. This is also a dam release, popular waterway pursued by several outdoor outfitters for fishing, rafting, tubing and kayaking. For a much more challenging experience just upstream of the Fife Brook, the Monroe Bridge section of the Deerfield (also called the “Dryway”), is another popular option for more expert paddlers. This section of the river, which is just shy of three miles long, offers Class III-IV level rapids and is also controlled by dam releases. If you’re interested in these rivers, consider one of the local outfitters for a trip, including Zoar Outdoor, Crabapple Whitewater, and Berkshire Outfitters.

Moose and Beaver Rivers

Although not generally for beginners, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention these two fabled New York whitewater destinations. Each of these rivers offers some of the best scenery and most exhilarating and demanding Class IV-V rapids around. If interested, Alex Barham of Cazenovia, has some amazing online YouTube videos. In addition, the annual Beaver Festival attracts hundreds of the paddlers to this area on Labor Day weekend.     

My first brush with whitewater kayaking was over 35 years ago. I was on a whitewater rafting trip through the Hudson Gorge with friends from high school, and amongst the flotilla of over 20 rafts, there were about a dozen kayakers. As we entered the Indian River, which is about 2.5 miles upstream of the Hudson, I was in awe of the sheer beauty of where I was – and the power of the water – and it only got better as the trip advanced through the “Gorge.” It was during this trip that I hatched the idea of someday running this in a kayak. I’m not sure if this will ever happen, but that’s OK.

As Norm Labbe of Clifton Park, a very experienced paddler mentioned, “It always allows you to challenge yourself as much as you like. Some paddlers are comfortable with more challenge and others with less. Not everyone will want to aspire to run the more difficult runs, and that’s fine.” If you have ever thought about trying whitewater kayaking, my advice would be to go for it. It has been really fun being a beginner. It has been scary at times, but every outing has been super exciting, and I keep meeting amazing people along the way – which I think may be the best part!

Bob Frank lives in Niskayuna and is a lifetime cyclist who enjoys many outdoor activities: jfrank10@nycap.rr.com.