Goshen Pass kayaking

The Goschen 

Headed out early on Sunday morning to make it to Goschen Pass for some kayaking. I had never been to the pass but had heard rumors that is is the best little river in Virginia so with a little motivation I made the two hour drive from Fredericksburg hoping to meet up with some other kayakers when I arrived.

Nice sized group

After following the GPS for a little over two hours I finally arrived and followed the road alongside the river taking a look at the rapids and enjoying the scenery that was taking on a very Pacific Northwest feeling with green trees on all sides...should have brought the fly rod! After a little while I met up with another kayaker who informed me that a race was suppose to take place today so I would without a doubt have other people to show me the river and within 30 minutes I was on it with another kayaker. A lot of read and run stuff but over all a very active river with nice pools in between boulder gardens.

Soon after the first lap the rest of the guys arrived and put up some tents for the finish line, got the shuttle rigged and headed for the put in. I was initially thinking about not entering the race but after getting tossed a number to put on my boat and with a guarantee of beer at the finish line I said, "Why the hell not?" and lined up for the mass start.
As it turns out knowing the fast lines are good things for a race...there were a few times that I got between the leading pack and the following group but in between those two groups were no one to show me the lines so I would get off line and end up back in the trailing pack. This happened two times before I tossed in the towel and just enjoyed the nice boulder gardens amongst green trees.

Overall very fun weekend in probably my favorite place so far in Virginia.

-Owen