Blog Entries for Big Wave Dave

The Best Combination: Gauley And Bridge Day

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It's September and Gauley Season is here. With all of the local rains we had over the summer, Summersville Lake was full and ready for the big fall release schedule!

If you came out over the summer, the Lower New River had great water levels all summer, the best summer levels in years! Now its time to step it up to next level. The Gauley is waiting for you.

As you plan for when you can come take part in the Gauley celebration, consider what some feel to [...]

Every Gauley Trip Begins On A Bus

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Every year as Gauley Season approaches, memories of past Gauley trips come to mind. I feel my heart rate pick up a bit and then I realize I am already holding my breath.

But wait, we're not at Insignificant or Lost Paddle Rapid yet. Take a moment and breathe again. We're still on the bus.

The adventure of a Gauley Season river trip begins on the bus ride!

What ma [...]

10 Ways To Win Surfing Sundays On The Gauley River

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Every Sunday of Gauley Season, ACE sponsors a contest named "Surfing Sunday."

This contest is usually decided per trip on the video made by the videoboaters. The winners are selected and announced after the video of each trip.

Besides the eternal lasting fame and glory of being the winners, the winning boat gets the dubious honor of receiving a Surfing Sunday T-shirt to take home to immorta [...]

Which Is The Best Rapid On The Upper Gauley River?

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Just what is the best rapid on the Upper Gauley River?

Like the Lower New, there are so many good, fun rapids making this a difficult question. So many good choices, let's see ... paper, rock scissors ... one potato, two potato ... eeny, meany, miny, mo ... nothing's working.

Let's pick out one by analyzing the features of some rapids:

Lost Paddle Rapid is my [...]

What's It Like To Train As A Raft Guide?

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Often when I take group of rafters down the river, the adventurous and curious will ask what it takes to be a raft guide.

Well first, you have to take vow of poverty. You won't get rich by being a raft guide, but you will get to meet people from all over the world (the best part of the job) and take them down some of the best whitewater in the world!

If you budget your time and money [...]

What's The Best Rapid On The Lower New River?

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Of all the rapids on the Lower New River, I think I love Miller's Folly the best.

As a raft guide, I like to ask my guests which rapid they liked the best several times during their trip and see if it changes throughout the day. Interestingly enough, it is not always the class V rapids people like the most.

For me, Miller's Folly (class IV) has it all. Big waves, some [...]

It All Started Because Of A Pig?

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

You may have heard of the famous West Virginia feud that escalated to bloodshed and years of bad blood between the two families.

In the town of Grandview, outside of Beckley, there is an interesting theater drama that depicts some of the underlying issues of the long-time arguments that may never be settled.

I am speaking, of course, of the fabled feud between Hatfields and McCoys.

[...]

And Down The River We Went: From Customers To Raft Guides

dcbarkley@earthlink.net — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Have you ever been on a rafting trip, looked at the raft guides and thought, "Wow, this would be an awesome job"?

Well, not only did that happen to me, my wife got hooked, too!

Hi everyone, my name is David Barkley and my wife, Cheri, and I are among the newest members to the ACE blogging team. We discovered ACE and whitewater rafting via the ACE website.

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