The Upper Gauly is one of the best known and paddled sections of river, its fame only surpassed by the rapids on it. One of the most famous rapids in the world and the most famous on the Upper Gauly is Pillow Rock. This rapid's steep gradient and big water makes it the amazing rapid that it is, but it is the lack of hazards that make it a playground for kayakers,rafters, and everyone else on the river. It has a big safe line, deep channels and it leads out to a calmer pool. There are a million things to do on this world class rapid.

(c) Matthew West

Brian slips by pillow rock.

For those who are new to whitewater kayaking or running Pillow Rock for the first time there is a wide line on the left side of the river. At the beggining of Pillow Rock the river narrows and deepens to the left side of of the river and a wave train starts. At the end of this wave train there is pillow rock. This is a rock jutting out from the left side of the river that creates a pillow of water and the 'Room of Doom". This will push you to the right unless you catch the room. Lastly, the river floods to either side of a rock called Volkswagon and drops into the pool at the bottom. If you missed all this because you were upside down, its ok, it happens to everyone just hike up and do it again.

     For those who are looking for some surf, there is a play wave at the top to start off your pillow ride along with a rock to spin. That is followed by a line of waves that are primo for down river tricks. After this, there is the legendary "Room of Doom". If you so desire to catch the room, be perpared to comit early and stay left.

 (c) Matthew West

Tino catches a room ride.

   It takes speed and being in the right place to get a ride in the room, and if you don't manige to catch it or you catch it and flip its all good because you will just flush out to the bottom of the rapid all you need to do is hold on. You can also splat the pillow rock if you are a big splater. It is a world class splat. The right line is more daring. One would start right and drive left dodging a hole that could deliver a beat down.

  (c) Matthew West

Chillin on the rock.

    After you have run this masterpice of the Upper Gauly you should at least hike up and stand on pillow rock. Sitting on pillow rock is like sitting on a throne of white water with endless entertainment. Watching the river goers run this rapid is better than any TV program. There are rafters, kayakers, canoers, shredders, squirt boaters and pretty much any floating rivercraft. Some people play it safe and stay upright in the wide open line; however, some dare to take the more difficult lines. The people who play it safe don't always have a good ride, for if the river thinks you should get wet then you have no choice. Those who choose to take the hard lines may get rejected by the room, window shaded by the wave, worked in the hole, dropped by the failed splat or swirled by Volkswagon, but when somone hits their line it looks good, really good. Just make sure and cheer if you see somone catch a room ride

   If you do happen to spend some time on pillow make sure to jump off into the deep channel and swim the rest of the rapid. it is safe and you can get some down time. Aftern swimming top to bottom you can start the rest of the river.

  (c) Matthew West

Tyson and Eli jump off pillow rock in style.

Matt West is a student leader at the New River Academy. Matt's sponsors: Mion, Snapdragon, and Shred Ready.