By Michael Griffith
There aren’t many places better for whitewater rafting than the rivers of West Virginia. Not only does this thrilling adventure bring money into the state, but it also allows people from the entire world to experience the natural beauty of West Virginia.
With more than 50,000 new rafters visiting West Virginia every rafting season, it’s no question that the rivers of WV are one of the top reasons people visit.
250,646 thrill-seeking customers were guided down West Virginia’s five commercially run rivers in 1996. That number had decreased by almost 50,000 people by 2006, with the decline becoming more steady throughout the years. 150,00 in 2012, 140,000 in 2014, and then only 130,000 paying customers the year after that.
Now, after a 15-year decline of customers, West Virginia rafting companies are experiencing an upswing in numbers. This increase followed a season that brought the number of rafters to the state’s rivers to its lowest ever. According to Rick Steelhammer of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, a total of 134,082 people paid to take trips down the Cheat, Gauley, New, Shenandoah, and Tygart rivers last year. A number up by 3,870 from the year prior.
Along with bringing people to the Mountain State, commercial rafting brings a great deal of money in as well. For anyone on campus looking for a way to try rafting for the first time, or just go again, the Adventure WV office located in the Student Rec Center at WVU helps students go on rafting trips. Check them out here.
Planetware.com recommends where to go rafting in West Virginia as well as a description of what each river brings to the customers, respectively, for anyone looking to go rafting. You should try it if you’ve never been, it’s awesome.
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