Whitewater in
West Virginia
Celebrating 50 Years
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JAMIE NULL
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Fifty years ago, West Virginia’s multi-million-dollar whitewater rafting industry was founded by a handful of high-spirited
college students with a few canoes and Army surplus rafts. The Dragan brothers—Chris, Tom and Jon—and Jon’s girlfriend,
Melanie, all 24 years old or younger, started the state’s first whitewater company, Wildwater Unlimited, in the 1960s and
began taking friends down the New River in Army surplus rafts. The spirit and adventure of the sport quickly spread through-
out the state, creating a tourist destination at the New River Gorge and a new brand of adventure available around the state
that now includes outdoor activities, lodging, dining and more.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of whitewater rafting in West Virginia, visit one of the state’s many rafting companies to
see for yourself why this extreme outdoor adventure has been drawing thrill seekers in since the 1960s.
Here’s to another 50 years!
1. ACE Adventure Resort
Oak Hill • https://aceraft.com
Photo by ACE Adventure Resort.
With more than 40 years of river-running experience, ACE
Adventure Resort offers rafting trips on both the Upper New
River, which is a great ride for beginners and children, and
the Lower New River, which offers Class III-IV rapids. ACE’s
Wildest Summer Whitewater Challenge involves visiting the
most fun and most challenging parts of the river on that day,
and every Wildest Summer Inflatable Kayak Trip is unique be-
cause it depends on the day’s water levels. Visit in the fall for
Gauley Season, when water released from Summersville Dam
creates the biggest seasonal whitewater event in the country.
Turn your visit into a long weekend, rent a cabin and take
time to visit what makes this resort stand out among all the
rest: its one-of-a-kind waterpark. From racing down water
slides, speeding down the zip line and climbing inflatables to
relaxing on the shore and enjoying stone-fired pizza, there is
something for everyone.
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
SUMMER 2018
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