Newbie

[erniegolen]

Just getting into ww canoeing, looking for some folks to paddle with, none of my friends want to do anything besides float fish. If anyone else is in/around Harrisonburg, VA and wouldn't mind a relative newbie tagging along, i'd love to get out more.

Have my own gear, and transportation.

[KNeal]

Hi, Ernie. I'm over in Richmond so we're a little ways apart. Have you looked into joining the Coastals Canoe Club? Lots of boaters in your area paddling stuff like the Maury, Shenandoah, North River and stuff south of you like the Tye. I mostly spend my time on the James around Richmond but you're welcome to stay in touch with me via PM (private message) about getting out sometime.

Welcome to cboats!

KNeal (Neal)

[Silent Bob]

I'll second checking out the Coastals. There always seems to be someone headed to Balcony or some section of the Maury just about any day of the week. Nice bunch of folks to paddle with too.

http://coastals.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OC1_PDLR]

3rd on Coastals. You'll find folks of all skill levels there. You might also want to sign up for the Virginia Paddlers Yahoo group list which is basically a bunch of folks that paddle class I/II+ stuff. Many are Coastals also.

Daryl

[Sir Adam]

If you are up for a bit of travel join a whole bunch of us in West Virginia at the end of the month... (see the Armada thread....)

[erniegolen]

Thanks for the replies! I'll definitely check out costals. I wasn't sure if i needed to be a member before i posted to their forums or not, i guess i'll just go for it.

I have plans on saturday the 28th, but i'd be able to make it to any trips on with the armada, is that an option? I'm comfortable in Class III- with my big open boat (Lower Smokehole, Balcony), still pretty green in my OC1, but i've run some local rivers, and balcony in it. Flatwater Roll is no problem, moving water is getting there.

anyway, hope to meet up with some folks that actually know what they're doing (unlike me) soon.

[KNeal]

You do not need to be a member to post on the Coastals' forum and you certainly do not need to be a member to paddle with a group of people on a river. It is best to be a member and enjoy various member perks. Official Coastals' trips should be attended by members only as it is a club-sanctioned(sponsored?) event.

I concur with what "Sir Adam" said--if you can get away the last weekend in April, go join the armada around the Cheat. There will be lots around that will appropriately challenge your skill levels. Go see that link in the forum.

[Eli]

My father, Paul Helbert, lives just North of Harrisonburg, VA. Although he is into building and sailing small boats now he is still a good Canoer and a great resource for the area. Send me a pm or email and I will give you his contact info.
The Coastals are also a great club...
Cheers,
Eli