The New River by Alec Thompson

This expedition, our AT group decided to go on a whitewater rafting trip on the New River. We were broken into groups. We went on a class five rapid. Then we swam in some class one rapids.

Once everyone was changed into his or her wet suit, water shoes, and splash jacket, we went onto the rafting bus. On the way to the starting point we went over the safety briefing. Once we got to the starting point we were assigned rafting groups. My group was Dustin, Sophie, Joe, Isaac, Alex, Coley, Brian (our raft guide), and myself. The other group was Tristan, Nat, Preston, Evan, Kyle, Billy, and two other people that were not part of our group.

We went to a small class five rapid. It was really fun and the whole time we were screaming and yelling in excitement. Right after the class five we went to a class four-called bloody nose. It was under the tallest East Coast Bridge. The bridge was 285 feet tall. Then we went towards a class three rapid and I was eager not to get in the water.  However, Sophie caught me off guard and took me down, getting me in the water. I got out before the rapid and was ready right away.

After we went through the last class three rapid on the river, there was swimming rapid that we got to swim through. It was only a class one rapid. It was a really small class one so it was like going down a waterslide. We got past it and paddled towards the take out. I jumped in and swam towards it.  Then we went to the bus. After we got the raft in the bus. I took the splash jacket off. Everyone stared at me for a moment. I noticed that I was almost completely dry under the splash jacket. It was really an achievement for me.

The AT group finished the New River with smiles and funny stories to tell their parents. The rafting expedition will be in our memories for a long time. This will be one of the favorite moments this semester.