It's starting to look like spring here on the French Broad River and there have been more warm day than cold recently.
Spring means there's ducks on the French Broad River! I'm talking about both the smaller flying kind and, more pertinent to Blue Heron Whitewater, the inflatable kind that we can paddle.
Ducks are a really fun way to get out on the river near
Asheville, NC and enjoy the arrival of spring. It's also great to get in a raft with a few friend or family members. Getting out on the river is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues.
Spring means there's ducks on the French Broad River! I'm talking about both the smaller flying kind and, more pertinent to Blue Heron Whitewater, the inflatable kind that we can paddle.Ducks are a really fun way to get out on the river near
Asheville, NC and enjoy the arrival of spring. It's also great to get in a raft with a few friend or family members. Getting out on the river is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues. 
It's Tuesday, March 10 here at Blue Heron Whitewater in Madison County NC. We are just north of Asheville, NC and the French Broad River is running, the weather is warm and Blue Heron Whitewater is ready to get on the river and do some whitewater rafting. We were expecting our first trip of the season to be tomorrow so Sandy was
at the outpost getting things ready when two intrepid travelers drove up into our parking lot. They were in Asheville for spring break and were looking to do some whitewater rafting. Could Blue Heron Whitewater help them? You bet! They were ready, we wer
e ready, so off we went to the river. An unexpectedly early start to the 2009 whitewater rafting season. The perfect way to start off the new whitewater rafting season. Great people, great river, great weather. A special thanks to our first guest of the season for an auspicious start. 
After reading the Ice on the River blog, and a 
week of night-time single digit temperatures in the Asheville NC area it is hard to imagine whitewater rafting on the French Broad River right now! Last night, while enjoying the festivities of the Inaugural Ball held in Marshall, NC, I was asked if Blue Heron Whitewater would go whitewater rafting in January, if the weather cooperated. The answer is YES! A common phrase regarding mountain life is “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute”. Often a severe cold spell can be followed by sunny days in the 70’s. So! If you are feeling a case of cabin fever, and just can’t wait until spring to get outside, give us a shout. We’ll all put on insulating layers, Ciro will put some hot air in the raft, we'll fire up the van, and head to the river!
Been wondering if it was even possible. But it's true. It's actually been raining here in the Asheville, NC area. And when it rains in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Brevard that's good news for whitewater rafting in Madison County. Not that we are doing a lot of whitewater rafting these days, being almost Christmas and all, but it's great to see the 
French Broad River actually looking like a river again. And it's been relativly warm too. At least warm enough for some Blue Heron Whitewater staff to take a boat out on the river and enjoy the higher flows. It's actually a great time to get out on the river and do a little white water rafting. No crowds, obviously, and as long as you are dressed warmly the weather is not really a problem. Lots of wild life, that is even more visible with the leaves gone for the winter. We saw that the 
Canada geese were still around, as was a bald eagle. And in the fading light as we approached Hot Springs we saw three deer swimming across the river.
Yes, Blue Heron Whitewater is still running whitewater rafting trips on the French Broad River. Just north of Asheville NC, the stretch of the French Broad River we run rafting trips on runs through some of the most scenic and beautiful parts of the southern Appalchian Mountains. The river level is 
moderately low so we can use both guided rafts and ducks (it's your choice), the water is still warm, and the fall colors are spectacular. It's a great time to get the family out and enjoy one of the most magnificent seasons in the mountains. Floating and paddling down the French Broad River is great way to enjoy the spectacle of the changing season. The rapids are moderate and fun and there is time between rapids to take in and appreciate the gorgeous scenery. Blue Heron Whitewater offers trips daily. Give us a call at 888-H2O-Raft (426-7238).
Rafting on the French Broad River was a great way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon with all of my friends and co-workers from 
ter is a great place for family and group rafting trips in North Carolina. Our group met in Asheville, NC and drove to the 
Blue Heron Whitewater meeting place only 15 minutes away! We had thorough gear-up and instruction time, loaded on the bus, and away we went to the French Broad 
River with our wonderful driver Ciro. Our group split between duckies and rafts, and people switched out while on the river to test out the duckie; a single person inflatable boat. Sandy and Eleanor were great instructors as well as story tellers as we ventured down the river. We had an awesome time on the river while running rapids, getting in splash fights, and jumping off "Jump Rock". All in all, Blue Heron Whitewater provided us with an unforgettable outdoor experience!
nch Broad River for Blue Heron Whitewater do on their day off? Why, we go rafting, kayaking, canoeing, or ducking of course. On Saturday the crew of Blue Heron Whitewater took a day off the French Broad River and headed over to the Green River. Just east of Asheville, NC the Green is home of the famous class V narrows. Not my cup of tea but fortunately just upstream of the narrows stretch 
of river there is a beautiful and fun stretch that is clear and narrow with a couple of attention getting class III+ rapids. And while the French Broad River is wide, free-flowing and ancient (predating the Smoky Mtns.), the Green is narrow and cool and damn controlled. Both rivers are great for family and group rafting trips. The fantastic variety of rivers available in the Asheville, NC area is one of the g
reat things about rafting in North Carolina. 
roof tin.
While on a whitewater rafting trip down the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater a couple of bald eagles were spotted. Just in the last 2 or 3 years have I been seeing these magnificent birds on the French Broad River. I've often wondered why there weren't bald eagles around on the French Broad. Ospreys are not uncommon, saw one yesterday circling us, showing off the fish in its talons. But no bald eagles until recently. Hopefully they are back to stay because for me paddling down the river and looking up and seeing a bald eagle will always be a thrill. 
The last three miles of the Blue Heron Whitewater full day trip on the French Broad River near Asheville NC includes a section of river called the windy flats and one class IV rapid called Frank Bell's. In dry seasons like 2008 this section of the river doesn't get run very often. The windy flats is a truly beautiful stretch of river and at more typical water levels it can be pretty challenging in a raft ot find the channels with enough water.
surprised to find that the river channelizes (what water there is consolidates into the deepest channels) really well in this section. Of course the scenic beauty remains whatever the water level and Frank Bell's rapid is fun to run and spectacular to see.
Blue Star Camps have been rafting on the French Broad River near Asheville, NC since the early 1990s. This year, they sought out 
Welcome to Blue Heron Whitewater's new blog! As of the date of this posting (today is July 21, 2008), our new website is "under development", so check back often here for news about us, and for tips on great things to do near Asheville NC. 
Ciro, Sandy, and Fritz each have over 20 years experience in the rafting industry, having led operations for powerhouse big companies like Nantahala Outdoor Center. Besides being best of friends, these three love rivers, people, and adventure. 
Ciro is a professional photographer, retailer, and forever raft guide who has worked on just about every river in the Southeast for over 20 years. Geez, these guys have it happening. 
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