Kayak Craze

Written by Linda Palacios

Thursday, 24 June 2010 08:23

Kayak Craze

Step outside your grounded ways and get out on the water with this local group. Catered toward beginners and focused on safety, it won't be as much of a risk as you'd expect.

Take advantage of the Tri-State's wealth of nearby rivers. But instead of heading down to the river, lounging on a motor boat and kicking back a few beers, make your river experience more of an adventure (and a workout).

Enter: Tri-State Kayakers. This Meetup group puts an emphasis on camaraderie through kayaking. Rather than venturing onto the waters alone, you can enjoy the company of your fellow Tri-Staters who offer safety in both numbers and experience.

"One of the group's purposes is to introduce people to kayaking and provide a safe environment for other kayakers who are new at it," says group organizer Andy Betts, who has 11 years of kayaking experience. The group even has a couple extra kayaks that they lend out on occasion to paddlers who don't have one of their own.

While the group tries to accommodate any and all who are interested, it places an emphasis on safety, including the requirement of a PFD (personal flotation device), aka a life jacket. Betts also recommends taking some formal training before heading out on the water for the first time. The Miami Group of the Sierra Club offers classes by certified kayak instructors.

"I think the more people paddle, the more they realize all that's involved and the potential dangers," Betts says. To prevent those dangers, formal classes provide you with your basic startup information as well as a foundation of techniques to stay safe when something goes awry.

Once you have that foundation, check out the Tri-State Kayakers' Web site to find out when the next meetup is, and there is no fee to join. The group doesn't have any set meeting days or times, but group members will post information about trips they are planning so that all can join in the fun.

Some trips stay close to the Queen City, but others venture a little beyond the 275 loop. For example, last summer Betts led a group down to Fontana Lake at the Southern border of the Great Smokey Mountains.

Whether down South or just down river, kayaking offers a different perspective. "You're able to view the natural world from a different vantage point than on land, and then it's a very different experience," Betts says.

Even with the naturally beautiful surroundings, kayaking isn't a lazy woman's sport. Talk about working your core! Paddling requires more torso than arm movement, so you'll be building your core as you enjoy that different vantage point.

For more information or to start planning your next kayaking trip, head to Meetup.com/Tri-State-Kayakers.

PHOTO CREDITS

Photographer: Neysa Ruhl

Model: Andy Betts

Location: Lofts@4120

Linda Palacios -
	Linda Palacios is the editor of Cincy Chic. Send her an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .Read More >>

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