Surprise Rapids

From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia

Surprise is one of the best known rapids on the New River. This Class III rapid in the New River Gorge is the first major rapid many first-time rafters encounter: as the upper New River whitewater-rafting segment is the gentlest, most first-timers paddle it first. The rapid is called "surprise" because it is hardly visible upstream, though a large hole is located below Surpise -- large enough to stand rafts on their ends during some flows. The rapid is located just less than a half mile downstream of the mouth of Ephriam Creek and the ruins of the mining community of Pennbrook, on river-right. These rapids probably result from colluvial materials fallen from the flanks of the gorge.

WVAMAPS Map: Surprise Rapids (http://www.wvamaps.com/maps/index.php?lat=37.971470273741886&lon=-81.0227663085938&place=-81.02279663085938,%2037.971470273741886&pop=0&state=n/a&county=Unknown&scale=4)