Details Page

James River Float

Saturday, July 25, 2026

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​Please carefully read all of the following.

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• This outing is for guys, and for guys who are accompanied by their wives/girlfriends and/or children.  Even though Riverside Outfitters allows younger children, the minimum age for this trip is 13.

• For safety reasons, all participants must be able to swim.

• All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

• The river level is a very important consideration!  We will not go if the forecasted river level is above 4.5 feet at the Westham Gauge.  This is more conservative than the 5-foot river level listed on Riverside Outfitter's website.  The river level forecast can be checked here.  Be sure to reference the correct date/time.

• ​We'll also be mindful of the rain forecast and other types of troublesome weather.  So, please keep abreast of the weather forecast.

• Additional river information is available at "How's the James."

• To participate, you'll need to make two registrations by noon on Wednesday, July 22nd.

  1. Register with Riverside Outfitters and pay via the Riverside Outfitters website.  Their registration page asks for a group name, so put in "Bon Air Baptist Church."​

  2. Follow-up by registering with Men's Forge here so we'll know to expect you.

• This next thing is a bit tricky.  It's about timing.​

  • Participants should register for the 9 a.m. slot on Saturday, July 25th.  However, Riverside Outfitters can only accommodate 20 participants in this time slot and anyone can go onto their website and register.  So, the earlier you register via the Riverside Outfitters website, the more likely you are to get an available slot.  But registering early makes it harder to gauge river level and weather at the scheduled float time.​

  • You can hedge your bet by registering and paying early via Riverside Outfitters website.  But if you do, be especially mindful about the river level and weather as the trip time approaches.  You can cancel via the Riverside Outfitter website and receive a refund (less the credit card fee), but YOU MUST do so at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled float. 

  • If you do register and later cancel, please let Men's Forge know by sending an email to mensforgerva@gmail.com.

• ​Logistics for the morning of the float trip.

  • Arrive at the Pony Pasture parking lot (map link) by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th.  You'll need to be sure to get a parking spot and they fill fast on Saturdays.

  • If you can, arrange to carpool with others.

  • The shuttle bus will leave the Pony Pasture parking lot at 9 a.m. to take us upriver to the put-in point at the Huguenot Bridge.

  • The float downriver will take 2-3 hours, depending on river flow.

  • You need to make arrangements regarding your car keys.  Riverside Outfitters will not provide any storage of personal items during our float trip. 

  • Leave towels, dry shoes, etc., in you car to use after the end of the float.

  • Riverside Outfitters will be waiting at the Pony Pasture parking lot to collect the tubes at the end of our float.

  • Be sure to put on sunscreen.  Consider bringing some with you.

  • Riverside Outfitters requires you to wear shoes during the float that will stay on your feet.  Old light-weight tennis shoes are a good choice.  You certainly will want something to protect your feet from being cut by sharp rocks and debris.  Flip-flops, Crocs, and other slip-ons are not acceptable.

  • Consider bringing an auxiliary floating device for a small cooler, etc.  Riverside Outfitters also provides an option to rent an extra tube for an additional $47.  For either, you'll need a rope or cord, but keep those short since long ones present a dangerous tangle risk.  (Glass containers are prohibited.)

• VERY IMPORTANT:  Z-Dam (officially, Williams Dam) is a low dam about half-way through the trip.  It is absolutely necessary to get out of the water just upriver of the dam and carry your tube the short distance to the lower side of the dam to resume your float.  Riverside Outfitters will provide additional instruction regarding this.

• The above doesn't provide all details, so make sure you're fully informed by carefully reading all of the information presented on Riverside Outfitter's webpages during the registration process.
• After you sign-up, be attentive to any emails that may come from mensforgerva@gmail.com.  That email address will be used to send any appropriate additional information.