We had 19 paddlers join us for our Sunday run on the Kelly’s Ford section of the Rappahannock River. We put in at the Rector Tract Canoe/Kayak Launch in Remington, VA and worked out way down to the Kelly’s Ford Bridge take out. It was an absolutely beautiful day with sunny skies and temps in the low 70s. The water level was at 4.18 ft, and the discharge was 731 cfs at the time we put in according to the Remington USGS gauge. The group consisted of Diane Hobbs, Lauren Williams, Tim Tilson, Wayne McDaniel, Leo Leonato, Ginny Quam, Gary Quam, Dorothy Smith, Dmtry Didenkov, Maggie Allen, Matt Shaw, Marilyn Jones, Brent Harclerode, Jim Long, Beth Koller, Hendrik Van Oss, Dan Rick, Nienke Stam, and Dean Hawes (TC).
We launched at about 11:30 AM and convened the group in the eddy just above the first rapid for introductions and a trip briefing. This trip was a PFD for 4 paddlers. We began with a run down the Railroad rapids followed by about 3 miles of flat water, where we had a chance to chat and get to know each other as we floated downriver. On the way down we ran into another canoe/kayak club, I believe named the Float Fisherman of Virginia (someone please correct me if I got that wrong) and had a chance to chat with them for a while. We soon left the flat water section and entered a 1.5-mile rock garden which was not only fun to play in, but absolutely stunning to look at. The rock garden concluded with Sandy Beach rapids, which American Whitewater rates as a II/II+. We then enjoyed lunch on the beach on River right. After lunch, we were playing the Sandy Beach rapid when we noticed one of the canoeists from our colleague club that we met earlier tipped over. So, the CCA crew joined in the rescue efforts to get the paddler to shore and recover his boat. All ended well. We concluded the trip with a run down Piggly Wiggly (Class II/II+) and some play time on the small ledge just below it.
In terms of statistics, we had 19 happy paddlers, 4 PFDs, 3 out-of-boat experiences, weather was rated a 10, and no injuries except for maybe a few bruised egos (I’m pretty sure they'll recover).
Submitted by
Dean Hawes