Several events in the late 1960s and early 1970’s introduced the American public to the fledgling sports of whitewater rafting and kayaking. First, Senator Bobby Kennedy took a highly publicized raft trip on the Colorado River, through Grand Canyon National Park. Then in 1972, kayaking debuted as an Olympic sport in Munich, Germany and the Hollywood film, Deliverance showed dramatic footage of whitewater canoeing in the southeastern United States. The same year, Sports Illustrated strayed from its coverage of mainstream sports to publish an article on kayaker, Walt Blackadar’s successful first run of the extreme Turn Back Canyon. “Whitewater” was becoming a household word.
By the late 1970s, Class VI founders Dave Arnold, Kevin Whelan and Doug and Jeff Proctor had honed their whitewater skills on some of America’s most challenging rivers. The four expert paddlers shared a special fondness for the rugged terrain and raging whitewater found in southern West Virginia. In 1977, the state of West Virginia completed the New River Gorge Bridge and Corridor 19, providing reliable access to the region. With the new highway in place and the growing public interest in whitewater, the four friends realized that their dream of starting a whitewater rafting company in West Virginia just might succeed.
In 1978, Class VI became one of the first rafting outfitters in the New River Gorge and Gauley River Canyon. Dave, Kevin, Doug and Jeff leased a piece of property on the rim of the New River Gorge where they placed a 1956 Safeway trailer to serve as office space, trip headquarters, gear room, store, and bar. They hired well-known, female paddler and Kevin’s to-be wife, Joy Marr, as their first employee. Dave’s to-be wife, Peggy, ran the office that first year. The “boys”, as they are called, lived in tents on the property that summer. This first year, Class VI hosted 2,490 guests and the “boys” even made a slight profit.
Class VI grew steadily through the 1980s. The company began acquiring land along the banks of the New and Gauley rivers for access points and overnight campsites. In 1985, the founders replaced the Safeway trailer with a beautiful timber-frame reception center. They also launched the first Smokey’s Restaurant, named for their longtime friend and dutiful rafting bus driver, Dana “Smokey” Morton. By this point, Class VI had a 70-member staff and hosted 11,732 guests. In 1989, Class VI hosted Vice President Dan Quayle and his family. Two years later when Governor Jerry Brown was running for President, he and his group ran the New River. Today, a photo hangs on property in Chetty’s Pub with Dan Quayle on the right and Governor Brown on the left, per the Governor’s request.
Class VI has long been a leader in river safety and environmental conservation. In 1985, Class VI made the commitment to equip all raft trips with FM radios for emergency communication. Starting in 1986, the company began hosting the area’s first river rescue clinics. Class VI’s highly trained guide staff taught river rescue to the U.S. Park Service and the U.S. Military Special Forces. Class VI was instrumental with the successful campaign to preserve the Gauley River into a National Recreation Area and has participated in numerous river cleanups, highway adoption programs and efforts to limit impact at river access points.
In 1991, Class VI became one of the smallest companies to ever win the prestigious Ernst and Young, Merrill Lynch and Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Class VI continued its tradition of exceptional quality and steady growth in the 1990s with the construction of the Canyon Doors campsite on the Gauley River and the luxurious bathhouse at Class VI headquarters. In 1999, Class VI built a new version of Smokey’s, called Smokey’s on the Gorge, featuring gourmet cuisine and spectacular views of the New River Gorge canyon. That year Class VI hosted 24,190 guests.
Class VI kicked off the new millennium by helping to host the World Rafting Championships in 2001. The same year, Avon developed the Avon Extreme raft exclusively for Class VI, making Class VI’s stock of rafts and rubber duckies the largest and most advanced Avon fleet in the world. In keeping with Class VI’s pioneering spirit, the company has, in recent years, opened the charming Woodcrest bed and breakfast, built eight beautiful cabins called “Cabins on the Gorge” and begun offering rafting footage on DVD and added the new Explorer T4’s to the fleet.
Class VI’s distinguished history has received media praise on numerous occasions. Articles about Class VI have appeared in US News and World Report, Bon Appetit, Travel Holiday, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Entrepreneur and other magazines. Dave, Doug, Jeff, and yes, even their first employee, Joy continue to contribute their enthusiasm and dedication to the success of Class VI. “We work hard to maintain our reputation as one of the most innovative, high quality whitewater companies in the world. We hope that you will join us in continuing to make history!” |
