C-Forum

What up folks? My wife and I just recently moved from Maine to West Chester, PA. Looking for folks to paddle II-III water with and maybe some pool sessions so I can try and get a role down. I've been paddling since I was a wee lad, but just got serious about solo whitewater last year. I've seen the PhillyCC, Lehigh Valley, Greater Harrisburg, and Keystone paddling clubs online. Anyone here members or suggest any of them over the other? I sold half my fleet before moving so all I have now is my Esquif Raven (primary WW rig), Bell YS Solo (set up for mild WW), and Wenonah Advantage (fast/straight). I'll admit my WW game isn't all that yet. I've done ACA swiftwater rescue, and know my limits, so I don;t feel as though I'm a liability on the river. Hopefully after a week up at MKC in June I'll be more comfortable in the III and up stuff. Anyway that's my quick little bio, hopefully somebody here will take me under their wing (as did a number of great folks in New England) and introduce me to some local paddling in the region. I am planning the Tohickon in March with a buddy coming down from ME.

Thanks and SYOTR

Dan

Hello Dan and Welcome to PA!!!

I live some distance from you in the State College area but I know for a fact that there are some great WW OC paddlers in your end of the state.

The Toh is close to you and you will meet some open boaters there in March for sure. As things stand there is not as much going on in this board for actually networking as there once was, most of that has moved to Facebook. I would suggest the Eddy Up Pa https://www.facebook.com/groups/199555130212476/ group for some folks that are out your way. We have the Red Moshannon Race (class II) up my way on March 26th https://tusseymountainoutfitters.com/ev ... iver-race/ where you might meet some folks as well. Finally, Johnstown PA has Stoney Creek and Stoneyfest in May, we gennerally get a good group of PA open boaters out for that as well and Stoney Canyon can be run by a solid class II boater if they have a good guide (not nessisarily me) and there is a class II lower section as well http://benscreekcanoeclub.com/rendezvous/.

If you are willing to head up this way I'd be happy to get on the water with you, though our options for local WW runs are limited. If none of that works out you can hit me up for the Lower Yough or something similar in Western PA once the weather gets warmer. Feel free to message me if you want more contact info. I can also add you to a few PA whitewater groups on fecebook if we connect there.

Cheers,