FAQ

We recommend a hat, sunglasses, a bathing suit or non-cotton swimwear, sport sandals or shoes that attach to your feet (no flip-flops), and sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to bring a towel and change of clothes in case you get wet.

In the interest of getting the most out of your outdoor experience, we discourage the use of phones! We do, however, have GoPro mounts for helmets. It’s also totally fine to bring a waterproof camera. If you do decide to bring loose items on the boat, you do so at your own risk.

No problem! The guide will have a drybag where you can keep any personal or medical items for the trip.

Rafters must be at least 50 lbs. There is no set weight limit, but anyone over 300 lbs should call and check with us before booking! All rafters must be able to fit in our PFDs.

There is no age minimum for flatwater trips. However, participants on Class I-II whitewater trips, like the Upper James Whitewater Rafting trip, must be at least 4 years old. Participants on Class III-IV whitewater trips, like the Lower James Whitewater Rafting and Falls of the James Whitewater Rafting trips, must be at least 8 years old. There is no age maximum, but all participants should be in proper physical condition to handle the demands of their chosen trip.

Customers are responsible for the full cost of their booking within 5 days of a scheduled trip.

We will go on the river rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, we will plan the trip accordingly with safety in mind. While outdoor adventures are fun, we believe elements beyond our control such as the weather or water levels present an opportunity to enrich the experience, not deter it from happening. No refunds will be issued for clients canceling due to weather. If RVA Paddlesports cancels a trip for any reason, a full refund will be issued at no penalty.

As you may already know, the weather in Virginia can be unpredictable but it also tends to be short-lived, so we don’t often cancel for rain. Our guides and management are trained to do their job in many different kinds of weather conditions.

We’ll always make a decision in the best interest of the participants and our staff, so unless we anticipate extended severe weather, plan to enjoy some quality time on the water! If we cancel a trip due to weather, we’ll notify you and provide the option of a full refund or booking a different date at no cost.

For concerns about weather, please see our cancellation policy.

We provide a helmet, a life jacket, and experienced guides!

If you’re looking for relaxing, scenic paddling, we recommend the Upper James River!

If adventure and Class III-IV rapids is what you’re after, we suggest you tackle the Lower James River!

See the James River map for a more detailed explanation.

In the case of all outdoor sports, there are inherent risks. Our staff is extensively trained to manage and mitigate risk as much as possible.

We recommend booking a week in advance for staffing purposes and to ensure you get on the water on the dates that work best for you!

In our safety talks before the trip, we provide training on what to do if you fall out of the boat.