Class VI was established on April 15, 1978. It was started by Dave Arnold, Jeff Proctor,Kevin Whelan, and Doug Proctor (they are still the owners except for Kevin).
When Class VI was first started, it was only a 1956 subway trailer, two changing tents, and nine rafts.On their first trip, they launched five rafts at Thurmond on the New River. Eventhough they weren't very advanced, they still had fun and did whatever they could to keep their dream alive.
In 1984, they partnered with three other outfitters to create an exclusive takeout on the Lower New.
In 1985, they purchased some land that overlooked the New River and built the Main Lodge. The Main Lodge has a guest check-in, Canyon Rim Store, and "Smokey's Grill" (now called "Chetty's Depot"). In 1999, "Smokey's Grill" was moved from the main lodge to overlook the New River and the name was changed to "Smokey's on the Gorge".
Now, Class VI is a major river company that has sent more than 500,000 people down the river in the past 25 years.
