French Broad

Some rapid names currently used by local guides and outfitters::
Mile 3: 'Dynamite Ledge' class: II: named for the sharp rock resulting from dynamiting on river left when the RR was constructed. Best lines are river right and center, just left of the rock island.
Mile 3.5: 'Tavern Rapid' class: II(III): Named for the Bobarosa Saloon, a biker bar on river right of some notoriety. Enter the rapid on river right to the sounds of Skynard and then work left to an obvious channel near river left at the bottom of the rapid. This rapid is almost a 1/4 mile long which could be inopportune for would-be swimmers!
Mile 5: 'Galloping Sluice' class: II(III): at this point, all of the river flows into a river-left channel that then drops over a shoal/gravel bar to create a fast and fun wave-train. At 1500cfs the waves can reach 3 feet. At 3000cfs, the waves can reach 5+ feet! A large underwater rock extends 10 feet out from the left shore somewhere near the top of this rapid! This rock will clean your clock so have plenty of right hand boat angle and stay clear of the left shore! Swimmers should be very careful to keep feet up as swimmers have sustained injuries in this rapid!
Mile 5.25: 'Zig-Zag' aka 'Rib Cracker' class: II(+): a shoal that creates multiple small pourovers and holes depending on the level. Added challenge can be had by catching eddies along river left. The rocks in this rapid can be quite sharp and swimming should be avoided.
Mile 6: 'Rollercoaster' class II: at this point the river drops about 6 feet over a gravel bar that creates a series of large standing waves. This rapid is quite fun and can easily swamp an open canoe. Large eddy at bottom of rapid makes for easy rescue.