Flow on the Upper G!

by Adam Swett | Dec 2, 2023 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

I had so much fun yesterday on the Upper Gauley following my friends Alex and John down from Fayetteville. Some friends of ours from Maine rounded out the group after the obligatory getting lost on the way in. It was the second time paddling my new Flow and I was so...

Flow on the Upper Yok!

by Adam Swett | Dec 1, 2023 | Creeking, Featured Post, Instructional, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW Disciplines

I picked up my new Flow medium a few days ago and was very excited to get it out on the river ASAP! I have always liked a smaller boat for my size as I am around 210lbs 5’11” so I figured a medium would be perfect. It is. I am a bit over the top end but...

30 years paddling

by Adam Swett | Nov 2, 2023 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Playboating, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

My first kayaking experiences took place in 1992/1993 before my 3rd year guiding rafts in Maine. I was on Pushaw Stream paddling a Perception Mystic using a 220cm, 90degree Harmony Ridgeline paddle I had “borrowed” for the fall/winter season. I had tried to kayak...

Squirt boating

by Adam Swett | Oct 12, 2023 | Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Playboating, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

This summer was taken up mostly by squirt boating yet again thanks to Cowbell and a new Ninja designed by Jim Snyder and built by Ed at Murky Water Kayaks up in Canada. The process started sometime in December 2022 when a friend of mine from Asheville let me borrow...

Gnarvana on Wilson Creek

by Adam Swett | Oct 5, 2023 | Creeking, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

This summer I got to catch the Wilson river gorge at a sick level with a great crew for 3 laps on this classic creek run in North Carolina. Since leaving the Northeast I think this this run is my favorite . The level was right around 7″ and I think I could have...

Gnarvana medium first paddle on Big Laurel River

by Adam Swett | Mar 17, 2023 | jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

My favorite things about the Big Laurel river is the scenic views of the gorge and the remote feels in and out of the BL and on the French Broad river from the confluence of the two then down to Hot Springs. This run is also a great hike down from the Big Laurel store...

New River Antix 2.0

by Adam Swett | Oct 21, 2022 | Antix, Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Team JK, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

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...

Big Laurel Creek

by Adam Swett | Oct 17, 2022 | Antix, Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

submitted by Adam Swett I really like Big Laurel creek. It is one of my favorite runs in the area as the put-in is only an hour from my house and many paddlers I know also enjoy it. My guess is that this creek is class III IV but in the top section at Stairstep rapid...

Nirvana on Wilson Creek

by Adam Swett | Oct 14, 2022 | Antix, Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Video, Video, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

submitted by Adam Swett    Wilson Creek is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River with Class III IV rapids and it is so awesome! I took my Nirvana over there on Memorial Day weekend this year to meet some friends from Asheville but quickly met new friends...

Sinking in West Virginia

by Adam Swett | Sep 6, 2019 | Video, Whitewater

I missed out on sinking in a squirt boat last year when I moved to Virginia from Maine but didn’t miss out on kayaking. The James River was pumping last summer so I was OK but really missed going underwater until this summer I found a happy place in West...

Racing the RG and Nirvana in Richmond

by Adam Swett | Aug 27, 2019 | Event Coverage, Events, Media, Nirvana, Video, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

I had a great time training and racing in the River Rock Festival in May in Richmond on the James River. The events take place almost all week and I managed to make it to the first event for the downriver race which was pretty crowded with familiar faces. There were...

Upper Yough and Cheat Rivers in the Nirvana

by Adam Swett | Jul 18, 2019 | Creeking, Nirvana, rivers, Video, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

I hadn’t been to the Upper Yough in…well…I don’t really want to say how many years. Let’s just say it’s been a very long time. I was not surprised when it proved to be as incredible as I remembered. The weekend started at...