Blue Heron Whitewater

Frank Bell's rapid is an easy, fun and exciting class IV rapid on North Carolina's French Broad River. This rapid is named for the whitewater pioneer, educator, and camp director Frank Bell. Also known as "Chief", Frank Bell encountered this rapid in the 1920's on a canoe trip from western North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. He survived the rapid, but his wood and canvas canoe did not. Not deterred, he bought another canoe and continued on his journey. His name, however, stayed with the rapid.
After paddling the class II and III white water of the half-day section of river and the beautiful and scenic windy flats, thoughts and talk turn to Frank Bell's rapid. The biggest rapid of the day on Blue Heron Whitewater's full day raft trip produces a good bit of anticipation and a little apprehension. You come around a bend in the river and you can hear it. The roar of the rapid is up ahead. You can't see anything but mist yet, but you can sure hear it. And it's getting closer. Everyone in the raft is silent. The guide is focused, reminding everyone of their roles and what to do if they end up in the river. You get to the edge of the drop, you look down into what looks like liquid mayhem. Then you are in it. Big waves, lots of splash, the guide calls out: "back left!, all forward!, back right!, all forward! Then, before you know it, you're through. At the bottom, in a calm pool. You suddenly realize that you've made it. Smiles and laughter erupt in the raft. Paddle high-five. Lets watch the rest of the trip, maybe one of them will flip.
To learn more about the raft trips offered by Blue Heron Whitewater check out our website at BlueHeronWhitewater.com or call us at 888-426-7238 (H2O-RAFT).