Gear Up for Paddling Down the French Broad River Trail
It’s almost always a good day to paddle the classic and mellow French Broad River through the Southeast boomtown known as Asheville, North Carolina. No matter your craft or fitness level, there’s something for everyone down on the river.
From stand-up paddleboards (SUP) to canoes and all types of kayaks, double or single blade, solo or tandem, this river accommodates paddling enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a real workout or for a leisurely float followed by beers, you can find what you’re looking for along the French Broad Paddle Trail, which is ranked among the top river trips in the world due to its ease of access and proximity to so many campsites and breweries along this potentially 140-mile stretch.
Lots of folks put in at Hominy Creek or the Asheville Outdoor Center by Carrier Park and float down to the Bywater bar – a great takeout and a gathering spot on the river’s edge just south of town. Putting in at the Asheville Outdoor Center has its appeal but makes for a shorter run. The Ledges is a local park-and-play spot from where you can also hike up the trail a bit and paddle down. Just be aware of the dam below Woodfin River Park. Rentals and shuttles are readily available from French Broad Outfitters and Asheville Outdoor Center.
Here are a few favorite Active Junky product picks to complete any French Broad paddler’s must-have gear list.
Astral Airbelt
For calm water, forgoe the bulk of a typical PFD for your new found love of SUPing. Astral's Airbelt stays out of the way while paddling, fishing or having water gun battles on the river, but a ripcord (think, avalanche air bag) converts it into a simple, buoyant lifesaving device when needed. This universal-sized inflatable lifejacket is made of high tenacity nylon and polypro webbing.
Granite Gear Slacker Packer Drysack
Granite Gear's Slacker Packer is an ultralight packable dry bag for paddling and other water-based adventures —as well as for backpacking and travel. This versatile investment is seam sealed and constructed from 30D and 100D Sil Hybrid Nylon Cordura, with padded shoulder and sternum strap. At 25 liters’ capacity, this dry sack is minimalist but can still carry your stuff when you need it. The roll top closure seals the deal and will keep your party shirt dry for when you reach the Bywater.
Astral Loyak
As the Astral brand was born near the French Broad river in Asheville, it’s only fitting that its gear is the perfect complement to your trip. The Astral Loyak is the modern water shoe that looks just as good at the brewery as it does on your new SUP. It’s got a low volume fit and is ripe with performance features: durability, grip and comfort to name just a few. Hydrophobic canvas is durable and quick drying, with stretch Airmesh at the vamp and tongue for ventilation and a secure fit. Flat, water-resistant laces and a closed cell EVA midsole sit atop a draining, flexible, siped (for grip) non-marking outsole with 3mm lugs, and Astral’s G.15 sticky rubber. In other words, this is the ideal casual boating shoe.
IceMule Cooler
While high-end, sexy, bear-proof coolers are all the rage now, IceMule Coolers are really some of the best when it comes to boating. They combine the convenient, soft-sided portability of a backpack, and performance in the realm of a traditional hard-shell cooler —and can be easily lashed to the deck of your craft of choice. IceMule uses traditional drybag design featuring welded seams and a roll-top closure that the brand says keeps ice icey for 24 hours, is totally waterproof, and floats. Carry with the cross-body strap or backpack straps. Several sizes hold anywhere from a six pack to 36 cans of craft beer and ice.
Dagger Katana 9.7
Even river newbies will be able to get comfortable and experience success in a Dagger Katana, and this crossover kayak may even lead to progressively harder and longer river trips. This southeastern company created the Katana with balance and stability as the priorities, while not letting speed and maneuverability fall by the wayside. It’s a perfect learning kayak, designed for initial stability, with beveled sidewalls lending what we call secondary stability as you gain confidence and start to dig in more with those paddle strokes. A concave stern deck sheds water off the back, further adding to the forgiving nature of this boat in all types of water. It has a roomy cockpit that beginners love, and it even has watertight hatches for gear storage. Lastly, ideal for your paddle down the lazy French Broad, there’s an optional drop skeg that will greatly improve your ability to track, or hold a straight line, as you paddle toward your imminent imbibements.
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