Sometimes the things most worth doing can cost us our lives. James Murphy finds this out first hand in the adventure-memoir RIVER CLASS. Whether at the hands of the river, or by psychedelic drugs, James goes through life wide-eyed and white-knuckled searching for that someone who can tame him. After graduating high school, James begins experimenting with psychedelic drugs, and around that time he falls in love with long-time friend, Natalie. They take a vacation to Great Britain. After their return, James and Natalie part ways as they attend separate colleges, and James begins searching for someone or something to fill the void Natalie has left behind. After a little traveling and a lot of drugs, James experiences the sport of whitewater kayaking and is hooked for life. After a near death experience on the river, James becomes president of the Whitewater Paddling Club of West Virginia University. There he meets Katie Jones, a black haired beauty from West Virginia, and takes James for a ride that almost costs him his life.