All Plant-Powered Whitewater Adventure
In Beautiful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
hey veg-loving friends
lets meet up on a magical river
& celebrate all life forms in our beautifully diverse ecosystem
with a little bit of a splash
& some great exercise
& some fresh mountain air
+ really, really good food
…shall we?
Featured Events:
August 9, 2026
Join us for a one-day, ACA-accredited, introduction to the exhilarating sport of whitewater kayaking.
Our beautiful rivers are the perfect place to move your body, reconnect with nature, and experience the joy of learning a new skill, alongside a friendly, supportive community.
On the water, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery—the echoes of wildlife, majestic trees, sculpted rock formations, and the energy of a living river flowing through its winding corridor.
As whitewater kayakers, we learn to move with the current. We use strategy, technique, and full-body engagement as we glide through wave trains, playfully surf river features, and skillfully explore each river's unique character.
Every river trip is an immersive experience in nature's rhythms and dynamic forces—including your own.
Whitewater kayaking offers moments of calm and focus alongside bursts of excitement and adrenaline. It takes you to remarkable places that are often inaccessible by land, while building strength, confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with both nature and your paddling partners. And it might even make you feel a little badass.
Who Should Join
This course is designed for complete beginners, including those with no previous whitewater kayaking experience.
What We'll Learn
We'll start with the fundamentals, helping you build safe, reliable skills from day one. Throughout the course, you'll learn the basics of:
Proper boat fit and equipment
Essential paddle strokes
Steering and boat control
Wet exits and water safety
Reading current and river features
Introductory river maneuvers
Whether you're looking for a new outdoor adventure, a full-body challenge, or simply a fun day on the river, this course is a wonderful place to begin.
Location
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
We'll paddle either the Shenandoah River or the Potomac River. The exact location will be determined closer to the course date based on water levels and river conditions.
What We'll Eat
We'll enjoy an all vegan picnic lunch on the river, followed by an after-hours dinner picnic from Kelley Farm Kitchen.
Please note:We'll place our Kelley Farm Kitchen orders in advance, as the kitchen will be closed by the time we finish paddling. They will have the food ready for us when we arrive, and we will eat at their outdoor tables.
What to Bring
Paddling Gear(Available upon request if needed. Any loaner gear will be assigned according to each paddler's height and weight, following the manufacturer's recommendations.)
Kayak
Paddle
PFD (life jacket)
Helmet
Spray skirt
Personal Items
Closed-toe river shoes with good traction (old sneakers work great)
Water bottle (2–4 liters)
Natural sunscreen and natural insect repellent (please no sprays)
Quick-drying clothing that provides sun protection, and an optional extra layer
Note: On especially hot days, lightweight natural fibers such as cotton can be worn and will provide a cooling effect. Please note however, that temps can feel dramatically different when clothing is wet, and/or in the event of wind or overcast conditions. Too warm is better than too cool because you can always get wet to cool off!
Hat
Contact lenses instead of glasses (if applicable)
Lunch and snacks (please no peanuts due to allergy concerns)
Towel
A complete change of clothes for after the river
Group Size
This course is limited to 8 participants to ensure individualized instruction and a high-quality experience.
Your Instructor
Jeff Cogle is an ACA L4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor, L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and L5 Rafting and Oars Instructor, as well as a L5 Rafting/Paddle Instructor Trainer. As a Harpers Ferry native with four decades of river guiding experience, Jeff knows the local rivers intimately, including the important river features, hazards, and best spots for learning at a wide range of water levels. While he has gone on to remarkable levels as a whitewater kayaker, including pro-level competition and multiple Grand Canyon descents, he still loves helping beginners build strong foundations from the start.
Sarah Kellett is a devoted vegan, suspension yoga safety expert, passionate whitewater kayaker, and waterway activist. She will be hosting and assisting this course, as well as guiding some gentle warm-up movements in the morning.
Note: In the event that the course must be rescheduled due to water levels or other concerns, the new course date will be August 16.
*A minimum of 5 registrants are required for course to take place
August 29, 2026
Join us for a full-day, plant-powered rafting excursion on one of the most beautiful stretches of the iconic Potomac River!
This 8.5-mile guided journey combines class II whitewater, calm scenic paddling, wildlife viewing, river education, rejuvenating movement, and optional post-rafting dinner at Kelley Farm Kitchen.
We’ll start with a meet and greet and an easy full-body warm-up along the C&O canal of the Potomac. This will include gentle yoga and qi gong techniques designed for optimal spinal movement and relaxed breathing.
We’ll then shuttle together to where we will first embark on a popular class II section that is upstream from Washington DC, and meanders through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. commonly known as “The Needles” due to the uniquely formed rock patterns. This first section offers a joyous but reasonably gentle selection of rapids, and is a favorite among local boaters.
Instead of exiting the river where the commercial raft trips usually end, we will continue on down a far less commonly paddled section, which generally only private boaters have the opportunity to paddle. This minimally trafficked section boasts giant eagles’ nests in trees above, with a great variety of surrounding wildlife. The beauty and peacefulness makes this section a true local treasure. This second section is mostly flat water with a few class I and II rapids along the way.
We will paddle both sections at a leisurely pace while sharing snacks, stopping for a swim if inspired, taking time to spot local wildlife, and learn some of the river’s history. Jeff will also teach us about important hydrological features, paddling strokes, and raft-guiding technique along the way!
Note: While we will encounter class II rapids on this whitewater rafting trip, this will likely be a mostly calm river trip, due to the time of year. Bigger water is possible in the event of a rainstorm, but not expected. If the river rises to a concerning level, the trip will be postponed to August 8.
Optional Post-Rafting Dinner at Kelley Farm Kitchen:
Kelley Farm Kitchen (aka KFK) was named Yelp’s #1 restaurant in the country in 2021! At KFK, we will each order from their normal menu and each attendee will pay the restaurant directly, based on what is ordered. Check out their big menu!
MORE VEGAN EVENTS
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FAQs
What if there’s bad weather?
In the event of extreme weather conditions and/or flooding of the river, the date of the event will be changed. Check the event listing for the posted date.
How do I know if I’m physically able to participate in this event?
Appalachian Guidance events tend to be active and lively but you do not need superpowers. Anyone who meets ACA Eligibility Criteria can register for an event with Appalachian Guidance. We ask the registrants follow the advice their doctors and to communicate any medical conditions of concern to us. As a general practice, we work to maintain a friendly, challenge-by-choice environment.
What is ACA Eligibility Criteria?
ACA courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC):
Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
Independently hold head upright without neck / head support
Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion
Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket*
Get on / off or in / out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft*
Remount or reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation*
Is this a course or a guided trip?
It’s a hybrid. You will be in a raft on a perfect river for learning. You will have the opportunity to learn about guiding a raft and even try it out if you’d like!
Is there a minimum age for kids to join?
We don’t have a minimum age but children must be at least 50 lbs to fit into the safety gear properly..
Do I have to be vegan to attend?
No. Anyone who is happy to join us is welcome, however per VSDC guidelines, we request that no animal products be worn, brought along, or consumed on the trip.
Do I have to wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device / Life Jacket)?
Yes, we require wearing a PFD and helmet for the safety of all. Whitewater-specific PFDs and helmets will be provided to you as part of the event.
Course Bundle Deals
Whitewater Sampler Package
Bundle Courses for the Most Value!
Mentorship Program
Check our schedule to find this and other great courses!
All courses are internationally recognized as official American Canoe Association (ACA) courses. We teach paddling courses based upon approved ACA course outlines for both skills courses and assessments.
Contact:
Interested in getting on the water?
Send us a message and we will be in touch shortly. We look forward to hearing from you!