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[Racer48]

Im very new to the scene, but learning quickly..... However i was wondering if there are actual clubs that support kayaking, and if so, is there a directory to check. I live a couple hrs north of the SF bay area, and have numerous locations to paddle. Im not interested in whitewater kayaking....... too much of a noobie to mess with that stuff. I would rather just tour lakes and calm rivers. Im looking hard at getting the Expedition, DragonFly2 and trimmings for myself and family. So if anyone lives nearby that can point me in the right direction, i would greatly appreciate it.

[JCOOLEY]

You can search the web to see if you find anything. There are lots of clubs I am sure. You can also inquire on Paddling.net. YOu can also shoot a note to PJohanson here on the forum. She is in a club on the east coast but I am sure has some good advice.

Jeremy

[Racer48]

thanks , i will check into the paddling.net for some leads.

[PJohanson]

Hey, Jeremy, I'm on the West Coast! I live on an island in British Columbia, Canada. ('')

My advice for anyone looking for kayaking clubs is to start in their local store, if there is one. Local groups will usually have local merchants as members, or they'll be friends.
Pick up paddling magazines at the library and look for mentions of local groups and local activities. Wavelength Magazine at www.wavelengthmagazine.com has lots of links to canoeing and kayaking associations. Paddle Canada is a national association with a website at www.paddlecanada.ca well worth checking out.
For other associations try doing an internet search on +kayak and +"Your City's Name" and seeing what pops up among blogs, club newsletters, forums and so on.
Joining an association or local club is a good way to find local teaching sessions, fun outings (your first few big trips are safer in a group instead of just you and a buddy, eh?), and slideshows, etc.
You can also get a few friends together. My pals and I did, and our website at www.kayakyak.blogspot.com has lots of links to other kayaking websites.

[Racer48]

thank you very much, that give's me more options

[JCOOLEY]

[paddlesheep]

Hi Racer. Just some friendly advice that sometimes people in paddle clubs can be Judgy McSnobs regarding inflatable kayaks. "Too slow", "unsafe" etc. The truth is that inflatables can't easily keep up with hard shell kayaks. Otherwise they're great.

You might also consider craigslist activities section (that's where I met my current paddling group) and meetup.com. Look for others who are paddling inflatables. There are lots of others out there who have them and are looking for others to paddle with. My group has kind of morphed into an inflatable kayaking group.

In september a meetup.com group I'm a member of is having a collapsible kayak rally in Vancouver. Folding, takeapart, inflatable, all are welcome. I know we'll get at least a few Advanced Frames and Dragonflys out there.

[Racer48]

thanks for the info, i will keep that in mind regarding Mcsnobs