Whitewater Rafting At ACE Adventure Resort
The Raft Types We Use (And Why)
About The Raft Types We Use
Whether you’re new to rafting, or you’re a seasoned paddler, you can choose your watercraft to ensure that you have the best day on the water! There are many different types of rafts. ACE Adventure Resort offers 4 different raft types to help you float your way downstream-a standard paddle raft, oar rig raft, ducky, or high performance “team extreme” raft.
Paddle Raft
Traditional Paddle Raft
This is the raft type that the majority of people choose to experience our rivers! Rafters will each be equipped with their own single blade paddle and will be instructed by their guide during the duration of their trip on how and when to paddle. This option is great for groups who want to raft together, and for groups rafting the Lower New with kids as young as 12. Paddle rafts provide a middle ground in performance and stability for rafters.
Click to view our most popular paddle rafting trips or scroll to learn more about raft types!
Rafting Best Ride Guarantee
Best Ride Guaranteed – Lower New
During the summer, when flows on the New River begin to drop, we like to shift gears and paddle our smaller 14-foot rafts as our standard. When the New is running at high flows, the industry standard 16-foot raft is great, offering stability for the huge waves. But once the flow of the New gets down to 4,444 cfs and lower, we believe the best ride is in a much more maneuverable 14 raft. That’s what we call the Best Ride Guaranteed! At lower water levels, these smaller rafts are better suited for the technical rapids while also giving you more room in the raft with 6 paddlers compared to 9 with other companies. And they’re WAY better for surfing! Other companies charge more for riding in a 14’ raft, considering it an upgrade from the 16’ industry standard size. And we agree, it most certainly is an upgrade. We just don’t think you should pay extra for it! We guarantee you the best ride in the best sized boat for the water level, all for one simple price. That’s our Best Ride Guaranteed. Our guides love it, and so will you!
Best Ride Guaranteed – Upper Gauley
On the Upper Gauley, our Best Ride Guaranteed means that our standard sized raft is 14’ unlike other companies whose standard raft is 16’ and make you pay extra to upgrade to a 14’ raft. There’s no doubt it’s an upgrade, but not one we think you should have to pay for! A 14’ raft is the perfect size for the Upper Gauley, maneuverable for all the tight, technical drops while still providing stability for crushing huge waves. Our 14’ rafts provide for a 1 to 6 guide to guest ratio compared to 1 to 9 with other outfitters. And if surfing is your thing, they’re phenomenal at that too! We believe you deserve the highest quality trip possible, and that’s why we believe in the Best Ride Guaranteed. Our guides love it, and so will you!
Oar Rigs
Oar Rigs For Greater Guide Support
In an oar rig raft, your guide will be in control of rowing the raft. This makes it the best option if you choose to be in a raft on the Upper New River, or for groups with kids as young as 10 on the Lower New River Gorge. You’ll be equipped with a paddle of your own, allowing you to paddle while enjoying a more stable rafting experience due to the increased control from the oars.
Scroll down to learn more about rafts type or click to learn more about trips where oar rig rafts are utilized!
Duckies
Inflatable Kayaks Called “Duckies”
Paddle your own ducky (inflatable kayak) on the Upper New River, or Team Extreme Trip. On the Upper New, kids as young as 6 can ride tandem with another person, while kids (and kids at heart) ages 10 and up can paddle their own ducky! If you’re an experienced whitewater enthusiast, then the Team Extreme Inflatable Kayak Trip will allow you to explore whitewater where rafts can’t go. Duckies allow paddlers to experience the Gauley River during the summer months when water levels are lower. On both trips, you’ll be equipped with a double-bladed paddle, and will be led by a guide (also in a ducky) who will show you where to go and how to paddle your ducky.
Click to learn about Team Extreme Inflatable Kayaks or Upper New rafting with duckies!
Team Extreme
12′ Performance Paddle Rafts
Ready for the biggest rafting thrills ACE has to offer? Raft in a Team Extreme High-Performance Raft on the New or Gauley Rivers! The smaller boat will allow your guide to maneuver your crew to give you the best ride possible! We call it Team Extreme for a reason. This raft size is only recommended for experienced rafters and adrenaline junkies.
Click to view rafting trips we offer or scroll down to learn about the Gauley River Whitewater Rafting!
There's A River That's Right For You
