RAFTING - KAYAKING - SAFETY

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

We are an education center that can provide you instruction for kayaking, rafting, rowing, river safety, swiftwater rescue, and hydrology for all ages and skill level. We also offer a children’s camp.

With over 35 years of experience in paddlesports education, we offer an invaluable resource to help you learn new skills. As a small business, we are proud to be able to offer small group sizes and low participant-instructor ratios. Our courses are customizable and can be taught throughout the U.S and in over 35 countries.

Mission: To advance whitewater community standards by providing world-class training opportunities with expert-driven, immersive skill development that is tailored to the personal readiness and ability of each individual.

Family Values & River Stewardship

Appalachian Guidance was founded by Jeff Cogle. He and and his son, Shane Cogle, both grew up and live near the beautiful Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Their lives have largely been guided by the teachings of the rivers of Appalachia, along with the rivers’ rich history, and the vast surrounding natural world that the rivers are a part of. With great pride, Appalachian Guidance was founded to share the many lessons learned from time with water and to be a welcoming resource for all.

“We treat the river like it’s home… because it is!”

Jeff Cogle

Lead Instructor

ACA Level 5 Rafting Instructor Trainer

ACA Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor

ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Jeff has dedicated his life to whitewater skill development and safety. His passion began at an early age while watching boaters paddle down the Shenandoah River, near his home. His fascination with the beauty and flow of the river led him to dream of becoming a skilled whitewater professional. At the early age of 16, that dream began to unfold when he became a commercial raft guide. The following year, he became a raft guide trainer and an instructor for an outdoor summer school program teaching kayaking, rafting, and canoeing.

Over the last 35 years, Jeff has continued to train guides on the Shenandoah, Potomac, New, and Gauley Rivers. His passion for teaching was taken to a new level when he created Appalachian Guidance in 2022.

As a true, life-long devoted expert, Jeff is now honored to be a core member of the American Canoe Association (ACA) Rafting Discipline Committee, working behind-the-scenes to advance guidelines and standards for whitewater professionals worldwide.

Shane Cogle

Instructor Assistant & Instructor In Training

Shane’s boating journey began in a raft and kayak at age one. Most of his childhood days were spent living at an adventure resort near the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia, where enjoying time on the river was a part of daily life. He has also had the opportunity to boat outside of the U.S, in Canada and Thailand. In 2024 he was able to attend the three week Keeners kayaking program on the Ottawa River in Canada. Also that year he was able to achieve what he considers to be his biggest boating accomplishment by kayaking the entire Grand Canyon of the Colorado River at age 13.