RVA Paddlesports

Fantastic experience: Went on a tacky light tour! 10/10. Our guide/driver Grace was fantastic. She has also been my kayaking guide and she is always a delight!

Fantastic experience: took a tacky lights tour with Jamie, he is the BEST! great houses and a great time!

Fantastic experience: We did the paddle sports tacky lights tour and it was amazing!!!! Our driver, Jamie, was safe, thoughtful, considerate and cool. He let us chill at small houses and would’ve been insistent at must-see houses but we already wanted to get off the bus. The bus had hot chocolate, cookies, and garbage bins so it was clean. Our driver was patient, we had a full age range, got to play our own music and had so much fun. I was nervous about not having more recent reviews… Ages ranged from 3-60s and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Count this 2024 tacky lights tour as IT. would repeat in a heartbeat!

Fantastic experience: They are very talented and have a special gift for working with children. Our son (11) thoroughly enjoyed his first pool class last night. Rachel is truly remarkable.

Fantastic experience: Had such a great experience with a large group of younger girls. The guides were fun and knowledgable and made the whole thing a great experience. If girls were nervous, the guide quickly quelled their fears and had them laughing. We had a wonderful time on the river and would suggest it to anyone!

Fantastic experience: I joined RVA Paddlesports on one of their Dark Waters - Spooky Kayak Tours and had a blast! Jamie was a very kind and easygoing guide.

Fantastic experience: These guys were amazing! We booked our trip a few days in advance and the owner, Patrick, graciously opened up another session for us earlier in the day. We took seven 15 yo boys and a13 yo girl rafting on James River, some of them for their first time. Jade and Jason were such great guides. And the photographer took great pictures. Better than any we could have gotten for ourselves out there. It was nice to be able to unplug and trust that the moment would still be captured. Jason had so much knowledge about the history of the river and the surrounding areas. The boys were really into it. They were patient with us and made sure we had a great time. And RVA Paddlesports is prepared! Anything you forgot, they've got! Wet suits, river shoes, bug spray, suntan lotion, patience (lol). And I love that they don't penny pinch for every little thing. They truly want you to have a good, safe time. They even gave a great recommendation for pizza afterwards that the boys loved! so grateful for yall! Can't wait til the next adventure.

Fantastic experience: RVA paddlesports provided an excellent experience for rafting the lower James River. The provided wetsuit and splash top kept us protected from the 50° water. Snacks were served about half way through. Pictures of our experience were available on the website. Justin was a great guide. I felt safe, enjoyed his humor and knowledge of Richmond. Would absolutely use RVA paddlesports again.

Fantastic experience: Recommend! 10 out of 10! MP/Michael was a great guide! Provided history of the area and some delicious fresh pineapple on our break! The whole trip was awesome and made my birthday trip that much more enjoyable!

Fantastic experience: Have gone rafting multiple times with RVA Paddlesports and had very good experiences both times. Communication was solid each time, and guides were helpful.

Fantastic experience: Had a great time. Our raft guide was knowledgeable and confident which made me feel less nervous. Thanks!

Fantastic experience: My co-workers and I bring up a group of adults with disabilities every summer to take a trip down the river with RVA Paddlesports. The team here at RVA Paddlesports does a wonderful job of engaging with our participants, are very knowledgeable, offer lots of accommodations to meet our needs, and treat every individual with the utmost respect. The team at RVA Paddlesports goes above and beyond expectations to make the necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities to have the opportunity to participate in outdoor sports. Our participants talk about this trip from months after the trip. We cannot thank them enough.

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic time. Julia was an amazing tour guide, the gear was all provided for us, and the experience was marvelous. I highly recommend and we will definitely be booking again.

Fantastic experience: RVA Paddle Sports is absolutely incredible! We went last Friday with the whole family, and it was an adventure beyond our expectations. From start to finish, it was everything we wanted and more. Dylan and Justin are the absolute best—super knowledgeable, fun, and they really know how to make you want to come back for more. They made the entire experience unforgettable. My family is already asking when we can book our next trip! If you’re looking for a thrilling and fun experience on the water, look no further than RVA Paddle Sports. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I would like to take the time to thank RVA Paddlesports for an awesome time on the water on 9/21/24. I booked a trip for my Boy Scout Troop 149 and we weren't disappointed. I would like to send a shout out to Josh, which made the trip that much more enjoyable. His knowledge on the water, the surroundings as we navigated the water and the buildings new and old in downtown Richmond was impressive. Thanks again and we will be back soon. Roy Hopkins/Scoutmaster

Fantastic experience: Super fun time! The views of the city were amazing and our guide was awesome :) definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: The group of guides at RVAPaddlesports MADE this experience! Everything was well communicated, organized, and beyond a blast. If you’re in the city for a moment or live here and want to have a great time, I can’t recommend enough!

Fantastic experience: Awesome company! I did the intro to kayaking course with them (Bailey was the best instructor!) and rafting. They also helped me with what kind of kayak I’ll need to get to learn more on!

Fantastic experience: We love RVA Paddlesports! The staff has such a love for the community Jacob's Chance serves! We are super appreciative of how supportive they are of the disability community.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time coordinating with Katie from Beyond Boundaries for our adaptive whitewater rafting trip with RVA Paddlesports. As a director for a camp for children and teens with medical needs, we are always looking for creative and inclusive ways to get our community outside. Blazers, our oldest campers, take part in a Blazers' trip each summer and this was it! RVA Paddlesports did a wonderful job accommodating the trip for campers and counselors with spina bifida, hemophilia, sickle cell, diabetes, and other diagnoses. Our participants said this experience was something they never thought they could do because of their medical needs. Happy tears were shed and lifelong memories were made. Thank you RVA Paddlesports and Beyond Boundaries for the work you do!

Fantastic experience: The members of the Autism Society of Central Virginia look forward to their trips down the river with RVA Paddlesport all year! The guides always provide a safe and welcoming environment to all of our participants making it a very inclusive environment for them. We can’t recommend spending time on the river with them enough! Thank you RVA Paddle Sports for all that you do to support our participants!

Fantastic experience: We had such a great time white water rafting, even though the water level was a bit low and the thrill factor wasn’t as high as it could be with higher water. Despite that, our guides Dylan and Patric went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. They were fun, professional, and really made sure we enjoyed every moment. We also got lucky with the weather, but that’s something you can’t control when booking. What you can count on is the RVA Paddlesports making sure you have a fantastic time no matter the conditions!

Fantastic experience: The Arc of Hanover enjoyed a beautiful day rafting with RVA Paddlesports and Beyond Boundaries. Everyone was fantastic and knowledgeable and went out of their way to ensure we all had a wonderful experience. Our guides ensured we were having a great time and provided a few history lessons while on the river. I can't wait to schedule another trip.

Fantastic experience: I have had the pleasure of working with RVA Paddlesports for a couple of years now, providing exciting new experiences to our Men's Program at the McShin Foundation. They are very accommodating and make sure that each person enjoys themselves to the fullest! We anticipate the weather break each year because we know that RVA Paddlesports is around the corner!! I can't speak highly enough of RVA Paddlesports and the work that they do. If you haven't booked a trip with them yet, you're missing out!!!

Fantastic experience: Great fun! Very nice people and kompetent team! They even helped with the right cloth and shoes

Fantastic experience: We did a Sunday trip here and had Dakota as our guide. He was awesome! He made sure we understood what to do all while having a great time! Will definitely be back!

Fantastic experience: We did the full raft trip and it was very enjoyable. The guides were experienced and fun. Our guide was Eric, he was great, knew a lot about the river and area, matched our vibe and made it seem easy to get us through fun and safe. There were some calm sections and some more exciting sections but nothing crazy so seemed like smaller kids would be fine. We stopped a few times to swim, Rick jump, have lunch and surf the raft at the bottom of a water fall. Would highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: 10 out of 10 fun experience! Andy AKA big cheese was a fantastic Guide!

Fantastic experience: I had many questions and the owner Patrick responded even after hours . We have a 6 yr old and I was nervous about it bc we have never been before and are not really outdoorsy people but I would highly recommend the combo of upper and lower falls. It was peaceful and relaxing the upper rapids and got exciting on the bottom half . Sept weather was perfect bc it wasn’t to hot or to cold . The rapids were easy to navigate only because we had the best guide.. They also took pics at various stages throughout the trip. We are going to come Back for the Fourth of July on the water . Super excited about that. I would also recommend going to Cary town for dinner and shopping , if you are making a day trip of it . We are from Norfolk Va and We were able to make it there in an hour and half . Staff was knowledgeable, picnic on the rocks was fun , they even have a spot where u stop at the end with a rope so you can jump off and swing into water . I loved seeing my husband and daughter have so much fun . This was a great escape from the busy hectic days we all have . I would highly highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: We had a blast. Went rafting for the first time with my family for Labor Day. Chris and Jade were awesome. 10/10. They made the experience so much fun and were very informative. Not only making sure we were having fun and being safe but also educating us on several cool things around the river. Will recommend to everyone I know.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience! We did the Pump House Park canal trip with Victor and it was so much fun. Victor greeted us with a smile and was very enthusiastic about being our guide. The paddle was relaxing and calm. The canal had trees covering us on both sides so we stayed shaded and cool. Overall a great experience!

Fantastic experience: Had a blast, our guide Taylor was amazing!!! Planning to go again soon :)

Fantastic experience: Have been twice this month. One time on a very high water day and another today at 4 feet. Quade and Emily are both great guides ! Will be back for sure !

Fantastic experience: RVA Paddlesports is a top-notch, professional, and knowledgeable company whose employees clearly love what they do. They take great pride in attention to detail and sharing what they've learned about the River with their clients. I finally checked this off my RVA Bucket List yesterday - a 5-mile morning trip on the Upper & Lower James River with RVA Paddlesports. River level was a low 3.9 ft so we had to do a lot of paddling and navigating around obstacles between launching at The Wetlands to take the out in downtown Richmond at 14th Street. Air temperatures hovered in the upper 90s so the water temperature of 80F was very refreshing - particularly when we all swam the rapids at the west end of Belle Isle. The trip was fairly strenuous because of all the work we had to do to keep moving and I enjoyed a long nap in the afternoon. I had a blast and I'm looking forward to doing this again when water levels get into the 5'-7' range next Spring. Helmets off to John, our guide, for a great introduction to the James River Park system, river history, and ecology.

Fantastic experience: We had a party of 4 and had a great time. The guides were knowledgeable and safety conscious. The ride down the James was memorable. Booking was easy and the RVA Paddlesports representative helping us was great in addressing our needs. I commend RVA Paddlesports for being so accommodating and providing us with a wonderful memorable experience.

Fantastic experience: The outfitter & staff were awesome. Good communication and reminders leading up to rafting day. They made everything very easy! Unfortunately, the river was a bit low, but trip was fun, nonetheless.

Fantastic experience: We took the family out including two kids aged 7 and 9 on the river. They'd never been on a raft and this was a great introduction to rafting on the river. We did the upper portion and learned how to paddle and safely get in and out. We even got to pop out for a swim. The falls are only class 1 or 2 and we felt safe on the river. The guide was friendly and funny. We stopped for a light snack at the half way mark and swam around on the James beach. Great rafting company and great memories.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I just finished a 2 hour kayak trip with Joya. It exceeded our expectations! Joya was helpful, fun, and informative and it was so enjoyable. I highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: The Wilson Leadership Fellows from H-SC had a blast paddling the James with RVA Paddlesports! I would highly recommend this company if you want to get out on the water in Richmond.

Fantastic experience: Would 100% recommend this company for a fun and safe experience rafting on the James. Quads and Jaime were rockstars!

Fantastic experience: Great fun! All four of us enjoyed the trip and conversations with our guide Andy! Andy was very experienced and made the entire trip relaxing plus fun in rough waters. All instructions were clear and concise. Always felt safe. Like the flexibility of RVA Paddlesports regarding booking, numbers and ability to deal with short notice.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I went white water rafting on a date night and had so much fun! We went on the Lower James rafting trip and the water level was low (about 4 feet) so it wasn’t too wild. The instructor knew lots of info about the history of the buildings we passed and we stopped on some islands to swim and swing on a rope swing. We did the trip at 6:00 in the evening and it was so beautiful at sunset. Would definitely recommend for a fun date night, or with the kids!

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend this experience! We had a large group and required two rafts and both groups could not have been happier! I wish I could give 10 stars.

Fantastic experience: How dare this place give me and my family such an amazing experience. Our guide, Hugh, was amazing it blew our mind how much fun we were having even with the people falling out our raft (very packed raft btw) the experience is worth EVERY PRICE & WHATEVER FEES, definitely between the views of Richmond, VA, the wild life near by & how great that water felt! Stop wasting your time reading these reviews and book already!!!

Fantastic experience: My sister and I did the lower James Whitewater Rafting trip today and had the BEST time! Emily was our tour guide and she was very professional and kept us safe while keeping things super fun! She also told us about the history of parts of Richmond as we passed by. They also have a photographer who takes photos that you can purchase for a very reasonable price! I would totally go again in the future!

Fantastic experience: It was our first time rafting and our guide Christine was awesome! It was definitely a fun experience. 10 out of 10 would definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: Groundwork RVA’s Summer Green Team had a exciting and educational white water rafting experience!! We got the opportunity to have a guided raft/tour of the Upper of the James- Very beautiful! Thank you guys for the amazing time and laughs!!

Fantastic experience: Really good experience over class 2,3 and 4 rapids. Andi was excellent with fantastic encouragement and great instructions. Made us aware of what to do if ever anyone fell out but also assured us she was there to help and told us of her many years of experience. Thank you! Some in our group were a bit nervous beforehand but we were reassured. Would do it again. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: Visiting Richmond in late July, we wanted to rafter the James River. RVA paddlesports caught our eye because of their great reviews and social media. Our guide was Josh and he made the trip memorable with spots to jump in and float plus some fun rapids sections too. We highly recommend this company to enjoy rafting!

Fantastic experience: We had so much fun and such a great experience here! Our guide Hugh was so kind and funny and made the trip so enjoyable!

Fantastic experience: We had a great time with Hugh who has been on the river for years and had a wealth of knowledge and was entertaining ans well. It was a good mix of swimming, floating, paddling and wildlife/nature. Hugh even brought a pineapple to cut up fresh as a snack. Upper rapids were a good start for us but we are definitely ready for lower. Will definitely go again!

Fantastic experience: Perfect! Cannot rate them highly enough. Hugh was an awesome guide. Very good instructions, very knowledgeable, and entertaining. We had a great time, the river was amazing, and then rapids were fun. We will definitely be going back.

Fantastic experience: Our Scout group had an amazing experience with RVA Paddlesports this weekend. The staff were great to work with and flexible. Everyone had an amazing time.

Fantastic experience: We have lived in RVA almost our entire lives, but I never expected the James to be as interesting or fun as it was. Hugh was a great instructor & guide, very funny & we all had a great time ! I would absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a good trip with a little bit of a workout lol.

Fantastic experience: Hugh is the best guide over there. He was extremely knowledgeable and we had an amazing time rafting with him.

Fantastic experience: We had a great trip on the 4th of July Fireworks Rafting trip. Our guide Justin was great, super chill and made for a relaxing evening. This trip was well planned and food was delicious. One of my best 4th of July experiences, we hope to do it again!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic group, fantastic rafting experience! I definitely recommend going on a rafting trip with them.

Fantastic experience: I've taken every kayaking class paddle sports has to offer, and I would take more if they offer them. Patrick and all of the instructors are extremely knowledgeable. They push you to be better while providing a safe experience on the water. Highly recommend this team.

Fantastic experience: We brought 16 family members aged 5-72 on the James for whitewater rafting. Andy and his team were all great. Fun yet safety conscious. The water was quite low, but we still had a good time. The meet up point (office?) is incredibly well maintained - changing rooms, portable toilets (cleanest ever), and plenty of space to get the kids organized. All of the guides got good reviews across the board.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I did a two-day whitewater kayaking class in Fall 2023 and loved our experience. We enthusiastically signed up for the Fall Line Mastery Class in April 2024 so we could continue to learn basic paddling skills and increase our time on the river. The quality of the instruction was fantastic with opportunities for more individual attention along with group practice. It was great to watch the entire class progress to the point of confidently running the Upper James. By the end of the class we had both purchased our own boats and gear and were regularly going for laps with our newfound kayaking buddies. Since completing the class, we have gone out with Patrick and few other instructors for technique focused classes on the lower James. I highly recommend instruction through RVA Paddlesports for anyone looking to get into kayaking, or just to have an amazing day on the river. I am grateful to Patrick and team for helping us unlock access this truly amazing resource in our city.

Fantastic experience: Jason was amazing at guiding us through the river. We enjoyed the experience and felt safe the entire time.

Fantastic experience: Great experience! I highly recommend RVA paddlesports. We booked the “kayaking in whitewaters experience” for beginners for my 12 year old daughter and myself. I liked the professionalism demonstrated by our young instructor, Thomas, and the confidence he exuded, which in turn made me feel confident. We had a great time and felt safe and encouraged, and even learned some interesting facts about James River and the rapids and bridges we crossed.

Fantastic experience: We went for Father’s Day. The trip was professional, fun, interesting, safe, exhilarating, peaceful, educational, and definitely on our list of repeat day adventures.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful experience with Francisco on the stand-up paddle board tour in Deep Bottom park. It was a great area to explore and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun summer activity!

Fantastic experience: Had an amazing time rafting with RVA Paddlesports. Our guides Quade and Hugh were knowledgable, kind, and a blast! Will definitely be returning.

Fantastic experience: Our family was visiting Williamsburg & took the 45 minute drive to Richmond & RVA Paddlesports did NOT disappoint! Kevin was our guide. He was very knowledgeable of the area, sharing local lore & history of Richmond. He was a very skilled guide who made us feel safe to allow us to really enjoy our time on the water. We got to experience Class 1,2 & 3 rapids on the Lower James trip & would recommend this to families without hesitation. Don't wait! Book your excursion!

Fantastic experience: Excellent! Josh, Jason, Jammie and crew were very helpful, knowledgeable, and safe! Our rafting experience could not have gone better. This experience is a MUST for families looking to have fun in Richmond!

Fantastic experience: RVA Paddlesports offers more than rafting. I took a River Rescue course from them and the instruction was outstanding. This is a great course for kayakers, rafters, SUP, canoe, or anyone who spends a great deal of time on the water. Do not be like me and kayak for many years before taking this course; take it when it is offered and it will not disappoint!

Fantastic experience: My experience of water rafting this past weekend was awesome. It was a lot of fun and the staff was funny and the customer service was excellent. I will be returning again soon.

Fantastic experience: I gained so much more knowledge and experience learning to flat water paddle board with Ryan. He gave me a ton of confidence and helped my partner gain some confidence getting on the water too. I would definitely recommend the paddle boarding class and will almost certainly come back to go rafting. Thank you for the experience and for respecting my partner's boundaries and limitations!

Fantastic experience: Excellent group of folks running these trips! Everyone was super friendly, helpful and safe while on the James. I brought two kids and the guides were vigilant while being fun and easygoing.

Fantastic experience: 10 out of 10 highly recommended!!!!! This my 3rd year with friends going water rafting and they never failed us!! Our instructor Erick is top notch! And our tour guides were amazing as well!! It’s the most safe, thrilling, and enjoyable experience EVER!! What are you waiting for BOOK!!!!!!

Fantastic experience: We loved our white water adventure so much!!! The guides make you feel safe and are great people. It was nice learning about the area on the river too. They had water and fresh pineapple for us! I cannot emphasize enough what a great time we had and how well taken-care of we were by RVA Paddlesports. I’d love to go again!

Fantastic experience: My siblings and I had an amazing time white water rafting!! Our guide, Josh, was super knowledgeable, fun, and made sure the group felt safe. Highly recommend. Was a unique experience being surrounded by nature with great views of the city!

Fantastic experience: Went river rafting today. Justin was our tour guide and made sure to keep us safe. He shared facts and history of Richmond all while being silly too!!!

Fantastic experience: Went out pre season with Patrick, brought two friends along. Did the rubber ducky experience. Was a great time. Felt personalized, and Patrick was very cool the whole time.

Fantastic experience: We went whitewater rafting as a group trip through William and Mary’s outdoors program TAP. All 12 of us had a blast! Our guides Jade and Bryan were fantastic and made sure we were warm and comfortable during our 50 degree day 50 degree water excursion. Our bus driver was also fantastic and was sure to get us to our put in and from our take out safely. Would definitely recommend for group trips!

Fantastic experience: We went white water rafting with RVA Paddlesports yesterday. It was really cold, but they had plenty of equipment to keep us comfortable, as well as safe. Our guide, Justin, was great and obviously knowledgeable. He did a great job guiding our boat, but also shared interesting info about the area and local wildlife. Our family (2 adults, an 11-year-old, and a 17-year-old) all had a great time and lots of fun. The experience was a fantastic addition to our spring break trip!

Fantastic experience: Our family of four including 2 boys, ages 10 and 13, ventured out with RVA Paddlesports in late March for the boys first white water experience. The urban environment was a super cool experience. Our guide, Dave, made us feel safe and confident and provided local history along our route. The tour was well organized and we were all outfitted with wetsuits and booties to keep us warm from the cold water. I’m so happy we booked this impromptu excursion and am excited that my kids had a great first experience and are excited to go again! Thank you RVA Paddlesports!

Fantastic experience: I met Dave at the RVA Man Wall for my first outdoor lead climb! I felt comfortable and confident as I led and cleaned for the first time. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: My husband and I had an awesome time white water rafting with RVA paddlesports! We took advantage of a warm winter day and they had all the gear required to keep us comfy and safe for a January rafting adventure. We look forward to future trips and family outings with this company. Big thanks to our guide Grace and Shane, David and Emily for an awesome day!

Fantastic experience: Our family of 4 were mostly first-time white water rafters. RVA Paddlesports took good care of us. We had a lot of fun on the water, a lot of good laughs, and see some beautiful wild life. Sanders was a fantastic guide, explaining all the technical details of each rapid and was extremely knowledgeable about rafting, the river, and wildlife. Grace was the guide for the other raft and was also very friendly and knowledgeable and helpful. Jaime got great photos. I was worried about the cold and even rain but they assured us they had gear to keep us from getting cold. And they totally outfitted us with lots of gear that kept us warm and safe! Plus they gave us hot cocoa and coffee! Overall a great experience that had my sons asking if we could come back again.

Fantastic experience: Lucy was the best! We had a really fun kayak tour yesterday even though it was pouring rain :) Lucy was knowledgeable, smart, and fun. We will definitely be doing more activities with RVA Paddlesports!

Fantastic experience: These guys are AWESOME! I've gone twice and had a blast each time. The team is super professional across the board, making everyone feel safe while still having a lot of fun. This is our go-to activity when friends visit because it shows off the awesome nature in our city limits. As a bonus, the guides serve as tour guides as well, pointing out landmarks as you go along the river. Especial shout out to Dakota who made sure we had a blast despite low water levels and intense sun last year!

Fantastic experience: Rva paddlesports made my dad and i trip so much fun. We planned a bachelor party trip for my buddy who is experienced in this field. We absolutely loved every minute of it. Our guide was the best. I highly recommend RVA paddlesports for your white water rafting adventure in Richmond!

Negative experience: I have had 2 experienced with RVA Paddle sports. The first one which was with an older lady for SUP was great. The second time which I had also signed up for SUP this past Sunday Sep 30 was not good. There were 2 guys from RVA paddle board who met us at Deep Bottom. The older white guy who stayed off water showed his dissatisfaction and sort of grunted when I told him I had signed up for SUP and not the kayak trip. He clearly was annoyed by me and I did not want to make a scene so I decided to settle for kayak instead. There were anther family of 3 there (aside from me with) an adult son (in the marine). The same older white guy from RVA paddle board, refused to give this poor somewhat of a small frame guy who was still bigger than myself an adult size kayak despite repetitive suggestion for one from his mother. Lastly the trip was supposed to be 2 hours (12 noon to 2 pm) and trip was cut short by 15 mins. We were out of water by 1:45 pm. Overall, Not happy with my experience.

Fantastic experience: My first time rafting and was a amazing experience with RVA paddlesports. Our guide Dylan was informative and humorous, gave un fact about the river and bridges, pointed out wildlife. The view on the river and under the bridge is wonderful. Recommend it.

Fantastic experience: My first time going whitewater rafting! At first, I was nervous, but our guides were amazing! We had a ton of fun and even had some side adventures. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: The entire team was knowledgeable and experienced. We appreciated the laughs and the mid trip take out to swim and the fresh cut pineapple. Our guide Jade was phenomenal and we are excited to come back and raft again. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Great day on the River with RVA paddlesports today. My first time rafting and after today will not be my last. Our guide was great and informative throughout our trip. Giving fun fact about the city, pointing out wildlife and creating an amazing experience. Got to bring my family and friends together to do this again. ***update. A year later I’m back again. This time I bring my sisters, daughter and grandson and we had a blast. It was on and off raining but our guides were amazing with keeping the energy high and making our experience one to remember. Our guide Jason Williams was great. Always encouraging my 9 year old grandson and just making our overall experience so much fun. (We are not going to talk his “guide swim”. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: My wife and I were visiting Richmond for the first time and we decided to go rafting. The folks at RVA were absolutely fantastic! The river levels were a bit low but since they are such experts, we still had an awesome rafting experience. Not only are they professionals but they're funny and put safety first. We'll definitely go back!

Fantastic experience: We had a really fun time on the lower rapids with Sanders as our guide! Would highly recommend this trip!

Fantastic experience: Bryce was a magnificent force to take us out for the first time! And Patrick was fabulous about answering initial questions and making scheduling a breeze. Highly recommend the kayak experience, especially during a week day!

Fantastic experience: Our trip was canceled due to thunderstorms. We hung out afterwards waiting to see if the weather would clear and if their was a guide who could take us out. The storms stopped but it kept raining. All the guides were unavailable to stay later to take us out but Patrick, the owner, had just returned from teaching a training class and took us out himself. His dog Snoopy also joined us. We had a blast!! We also learned they help out members of their community, which is pretty awesome! We definitely recommend RVA Paddlesports. Top notch people and a great experience!!

Fantastic experience: We had so much fun even though the water levels are low. It was the first time rafting for our kids and they had a blast. Toka was a super guide navigating us through some tough spots.

Fantastic experience: We did the Falls if the James tour on Friday with Charles and Gracie as our driver. They took awesome pictures of us on the water, I only wish we had a camera at the rope swing. Charles was so knowledgeable his decade of experience were apparent at every turn. The water level on the river was incredibly low which made for an interesting trip but it was pretty cool having to actually navigate the river and not just float on down. We loved this trip and would recommend it to anyone looking for a little adventure. We drove up from Williamsburg and it was just a bit over an hour drive.

Fantastic experience: Visited in mid-August with large family, including young children, and rafted upper and lower James river. Guides were fantastic, knowledgeable and did most of the paddling. Even though the water was very low, we still had a good time. Some of us brought lunch and some bought the option lunch, which was fine. Guides had extra water. Only recommendation is to check the water levels and consider delaying your visit if the water is below 5' (we were at 3.5') so you don't get caught on as many rocks.

Positive experience: We rented two tandem kayaks, it was expensive for the quality of the kayak they gave. One of them was ok, but the other one had a broken front seat essentially without a back support, we tried to tell them how bad it was while returning, but their response was just 'OK'. Overall we are not very happy with the service.

Fantastic experience: Julia T. Was a big help for us on our 2 hour kayaking adventure at Huguenot flat water. It’s always great to have someone who knows the river well and make you feel comfortable out there. I had my 65 year old parents with me as well and this was only their second time kayaking. She did a good job helping them along the way. Can’t wait to try another drop in.

Fantastic experience: This company delivers a fabulous experience on the James River. The team is super friendly, takes safety very seriously and gave us an awesome white water rafting experience.