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Kayak Richmond

5.0 (3 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater on the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

Huguenot Flatwater

3.0(3 reviews)
4.9 km•Southampton

We headed to Huguenot Flatwater last night to do some kayaking with our group. It is very easy to…read morefind, and there is a small parking lot there. I can see it being frustrating to find a spot as it gets closer to boating season though. I was not a fan of the boat launch area, it's design was not very user friendly for easily getting into your kayak. You have to step off a ledge into your boat, or use the small muddy area to load and push off. The point it puts you into the river is great though, and you can go left for a nice paddle up to Bosher's Dam.

During this crazy time of Covid and politics, our priorities have shifted from dining out…read morefrequently, to attempt a more healthy lifestyle of cooking most meals at home, and seeking out alternative sources of entertainment, ones that permit us to breathe in fresh air, enjoy what nature has to offer, and maintain social distancing. So, after visiting a few terrific Virginia State parks, renting kayaks, we decided that this would be something we would like to do regularly, and purchased our own boats. How many times have you crossed Huguenot bridge and thought, oh neat, look at the people kayaking, what fun? Yea, that has been me for years. So we decided to check out the Huguenot Flatwater put-in area and while it is a challenge, it is doable. By this, I mean, it is CRAZY steep, there is a ramp that the "fit and brave" smaller and experienced kayaker can attempt. For us, we carried our kayaks down the steps and were able to launch from there with relative ease. The main issue we had, was that it got super busy, and it was really noisy with the constant sound of vehicles on the bridge. We paddled down river for a bit but decided to play it safe and head back up river so we could float back and were not fighting the current and didn't get too worn out. When we were about ready to head back in, there were so many people trying to put in, that people were having to wait to get out. And then a bus load from a tour company came and we decided to head over to where a trail end let out on the river, decided it was safe, and we carried our kayaks through the trail and back to our car. Not far. The "coolness" and novelty of urban kayaking wore off within 5 minutes of being in the river. It wasn't peaceful at all, but we did get a decent workout and enjoyed the views. We will definitely continue to seek out different places to kayak, and kudos to those who love the adrenaline of being in that environment. I personally just prefer more quiet and fewer people.

Photos
Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Bridge

Huguenot Bridge

Huguenot Flatwater - Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

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Huguenot Flatwater at the James River -- on Saturday, 21 June 2025

James River Runners - Cool rock island

James River Runners

3.5(20 reviews)
86.8 km

We decided to do a little kayaking at the last minute, and James River Runners was able to fit us…read morein for a 3-mile paddle. We showed up for our 12pm float, signed our waivers and loaded up into their van. They load and unload the kayaks and paddles while you pick out your life vest. The owner ( i believe) drove us to the starting point and explained the features of the river to us. He told us that at the halfway point there is a beach area that many lunch at and that there were rapids at the end of the ride. He told us it's a fun little rapid that was nothing major but if we wanted to avoid it, just veer to the left. I went through it of course, but when I turned around, my buddy was laid over on his side. Apparently, he missed the narrow passageway because of a preteen in a tube was in the way. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. Anyway, you can canoe, tube or kayak with distances of 9 or 3 miles. The 3-mile float took us about 90 minutes if I had to guess. Honestly wasn't paying attention. We really didn't paddle, just steered from time-to-time and let the current do its thing. My only complaint is their snack selection was limited. We drove up from Appomattox Court House and there wasn't a lot of places to stop along the way. Not their fault but having some beef jerky would have been swell.

We pre booked a group of nine prior to arrival after calling directly to have a few questions…read moreanswered. I'm unsure who we spoke with over the phone but they were pleasant. First hiccup was check-in when the parking attendant couldn't find our reservations because she confused the first and last name of our reservation. We were frustrated trying to locate our reservation confirmation with spotty cell service and calling a similarly named company to confirm we were at the right location. She was apologetic after the mistake but didn't provide much direction after our waivers were signed. We walked to the building to confirm our reservation again and had to request life jackets for the children in our group. Life jackets are provided free of cost. We waited for other groups to gather for a brief instruction which included information on an island that can be stopped at, some points of reference for the tube float and instructions for exiting/ time to return by. The gentleman instructing was kind and personable. Transportation is provided upriver. The bus left after confirming everyone had a tube with no further instruction and no staff stationed at the entry point. We had no instruction that there was a basket with rope at the side to rope tubes together. This was pointed out to us by others tubers that were present. We spent the extra $10 for a 'cooler tube' which was a regular tube with two pieces of rope tied on to form an X in the center. We had to add ropes to our cooler tube to ensure our backpack cooler stayed in the tube. The entry point was nothing more than a step sandy path directly into the river. Shoes are required and a necessity as the depth varied and there were a lot of large rocks/ fallen trees that were difficult to see underwater. Once settled we joined many others on the river as it was a hot July day. The float was enjoyable for the most part although one of the ropes that I used to attach my son's tube to mine broke (not came untied) in the river which was frustrating. We opted not to stop at any islands and there was no signage for our float other than where to exit. The exit itself had some small rapids and I felt that the current picked up close to exiting. There were staff at the exit but they offered to cut ropes and take tubes to shore not to offer any assistance to those exiting. Again the depth fluctuated and there were large submerged rocks at the exit which were difficult to see/ navigate underwater. While this was my first time tubing, I have canoed and kayaked (in another state) before and was not as pleased with this experience as I have been with prior river rental experiences.

Photos
James River Runners - Paddling along the 3 mile trip

Paddling along the 3 mile trip

James River Runners - A day on the river is a good day

A day on the river is a good day

James River Runners

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Kayak Richmond - rafting - Updated October 2026

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