New River Antix 2.0

This spring and summer I made my way up to the New River in WV for a few shred sessions with some locals up there who are always stoked to paddle the New. In my opinion the New is fun at any level and I always bring my small Antix 2.0 because it is my favorite boat Jackson Kayak makes. For me it is very forgiving, playful and fun so it is on top of my car almost all the time. For one of these trips I made it to the dries of the New for a day of park and play, which was awesome. A little low but really fun and I can’t wait to surf there again.

I have been hearing about the dries forever and finally caught it in, a little low but still surfed until I was beat and took hundreds of pictures. I of course got lost, walked around a bit, talked with some climbers who couldn’t help with kayaking directions but finally found my destination. There were only a few kayakers, but there were also stand up surfers really tearing up the wave. I got to watch these surfers catch and surf then stand up and carve all day long. At one point one of the riders, while on the wave, fell down onto their board then kinda spun and reset only to stand back up! So impressive.

I was happy I chose the Antix 2.0 to take up to the dries and New River Gorge, although next time I’ll bring a large Rockstar. The 2.0 is a soul surfer that can throw blunts, wave wheels and squirts and surfs like a dream.

One of the days I spent up on the New it was 12k and another 15k, which were both sick levels with beautiful surf waves in the big water class III VI gorge. I really like almost any level up there, but I also have the luxury of following local play boaters who know all the levels and cool play spots to throw something in or off of. A crazy amount of fun to be had on the New RIver!