I was a little hesitant to jump into the fray with this club because right about the time I started being a creepy lurker on their message board, they were discussing and debating stroke technique with all manner of intricacy that made me think I would be in way over my head and shunned from the get-go, even though I’ve been in a canoe since I was a wee little one. And made me think that the fun, relaxed, unplugged atmosphere of paddling trips of my childhood would not be the case here. Boy was I ever wrong. The upper echelon of this group is a set of ridiculously knowledgeable folks, yes. Quite a few are certified instructors in kayak and/or canoe paddling, self rescue, etc with the American Canoe Association(ACA). Some of them are total gear-heads and love to discuss the latest and greatest stuff, including their stable of boats. But they are also extremely friendly, approachable, helpful, and have the general mindset of promoting their love of paddling(and the safety thereof) with anyone and everyone who is interested. From my first(quite hesitant) email to a trip leader about an upcoming paddle, to the lovely trip itself, and every subsequent interaction and trip in the past year or so, I’ve been treated with utmost respect and welcomed into the fold with warmth. On the first paddle alone, I was given a wealth of tips and tricks of the trade from several different members, and have seen others benefit from the combined zillion years of experience and knowledge that the group as a whole has to offer. We’ve also had people go out of their way to help us with gear, invite us to different events, and even lend gear from time to time. The real resource is the experience and wisdom of the members, but the website is really helpful too. It offers a ton of great information about local(Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi) trips, outfitters, rentals, gear suggestions, etc. Upcoming trips and events are listed here as well, including a rating of easy, moderate, strenuous, etc so you can gauge if the trip will be a good match for your skill set. There’s also a link to the message board, which is a wealth of information as well and a quick way to get an answer to any paddling-related question you might have that hasn’t been addressed on the website. And even the casual observer can see from the interaction there that there’s a lot of good-natured teasing and a good dose of dry humor as well. The group offers different training classes and such at different events — Paddlefest(usually at the end of October) had tons of great classes on paddling, outdoor cooking, and even a tarp demonstration last year, and much of the same(and then some) is planned for 2012. They also do demo days, where members bring a ton of different boats for folks to try out and get a feel for, since it’s so hard to tell how a boat handles until you’re actually in it and paddling. Self rescue clinics are usually conducted at some point during the year as well. Your membership dues also include a membership in the ACA, which comes with a subscription to one of four paddling magazines and a host of other resources. Non-members are welcome to do club trips, but a signed waiver and a small fee($ 5 per person I think) will be required so the club can satisfy its requirements with the ACA as a Paddle America Club. Most of the regulars are quite adept, but skill level varies greatly especially with some of the newer members. There aren’t a whole lot of kids involved with the group at the moment, but don’t let that scare you off if you’re looking to get into paddling as a family. With the right trip(not too long, plenty of breaks, an easy and kid-friendly waterway), a well-behaved child will be more than welcome. My little one has been on numerous trips with the club and has always had a blast. I don’t need to tell you about the benefits of paddling itself. Unplugging and getting away from the world for a bit and immersing yourself in the beautiful outdoors either appeals to you, or it doesn’t. If you enjoy(or would like to enjoy) paddling and wouldn’t mind spending more time on the water and sharpening your skills, this is the group for you. I really can’t recommend these guys(and girls!) enough.
