By Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
We are so excited to get back on the water with you. Thanks to cooperative efforts with Piedmont Land Conservancy who is providing boat storage for our kayak trailer and boats, Yadkin Riverkeeper will be able to be more responsive and capable of the demands of a paddling program. Below is a list of scheduled paddle trips for the year. There are some old favorites, some newer trail segments, and some that are just completely exploratory as to whether they will work or not. Pick a trip and join the YRK community on the water. Check our website in the near future for more details and registration information.
March 29- Old 421 to Huntsville
This is presented in conjunction with the Town of Lewisville for Forsyth Creek Week. It’ll be great to get out on the water with so many early paddlers as we celebrate the biggest creek in the neighborhood, the Yadkin. We hope this is the first of many events that will help residents of the Town of Lewisville to reconnect to their River.
May 3- Paddle Staff training
Being part of the paddle staff for the Yadkin Riverkeeper is more than just looking cool in a boat. In fact, it has nothing to do with looking cool in a boat. Getting a large group of people to the water and down the river and safely back to their cars takes many helping hands. This is a chance to learn how to contribute to that effort. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome. As volunteer paddle staff, you will have opportunities to increase your skills and share with others.
May 17- ACA 101
Speaking of skills, this one-day course is designed to cover basic kayaking skills and give participants a chance to tame basic paddle strokes into more efficient movement, while learning skills to assist as a safety paddler YRK paddles. We are tentatively scheduled to be on the River for this training at the Pilot Mountain State Park Ararat access area.
May 31- Know your watershed with a paddle on the South Yadkin River
The South Yadkin is a beautiful river that flows into the Yadkin above where Hwy 85 crosses the Yadkin River. We will get an introduction to the South Yadkin Watershed by a tour of the RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls, aka the “Bull Hole”, then hop in some boats and paddle to where 601 crosses the South Yadkin River. Join us for dramatic scenery at the start followed by a peaceful paddle.
June 6,7,8- Elkin NC Trail Days with Cleanup
The Friday before Elkin Trail Days is a great time to take off and join us for a River cleanup in the Elkin Community. This year we are going to start at Crater Park and clean our way down to Burch Station at the Yadkin’s confluence with the Mitchell River. Who knows, perhaps we will get a view of the Tire Puller in action…
Not officially on the YRK schedule. But keep your eye out for paddle trips on Saturday and Sunday too. Other groups keep the water in the Elkin are pretty occupied for the weekend.
July 19- Carolina Heritage Paddle
We’ll be going back to Elkin again to paddle from Crater Park to Burch Station. This time though, we will head up the hill and enjoy the view and vintage of Carolina Heritage Vineyards and Winery, the only USDA certified organic winery in NC. Come Join us on what is always a fun trip.
August 8,9,10 Camping trip- Donnaha Access to Old 421 Park?
This is one of the new additions. If some things work out, we will be camping one night on a newly acquired island to be managed for camping. This may be limited to 8 people total
August 29,30,31- Happy Valley Jamboree
Good music, good camping, good flowing river and good company. What more could you want? Save a spot on the calendar for another couple of events this weekend. We haven’t fully settled on whether there will be a clean up one day and a paddle on another, so keep an eye out for this as it develops.
September 20- High Rock Lake Clean Up
Cleanups often take on the enthusiasm of scavenger hunts as people chase down the mundane to the esoteric detritus of civilization. YRK kayaks will be available for those seeking such treasures. Come find what awaits your careful attention at the High Rock Lake Clean Sweep.
October 4- Moonlight Paddle
Once again, we are gathering at Easy Bend Farms to catch the moon’s reflection on the water. We’ve timed it so that the sun will go down earlier, and the moon will rise sooner. Just being on the water at twilight with friends is a magical time. The question is, is October 4 too early for Jack-o-lanterns?
October 18- Great Trails State Day Paddle from Hannah Ferry to York Hill
Since Rowan County is hosting a Creek Week during this time, our attention turned to a stretch of the river that we may not have done for a while. Hannah Ferry to York Hill flows past historical bridge pilings and wetlands of the Grant Creek confluence. Come along and see how the Yadkin River changes into the first of a series of lakes.
As soon as we made this calendar, we have been approached with other opportunities to host public paddles. So, if you can’t make these paddles, there may be some added to the schedule later. “The future in motion, always is” -Yoda
**A note about insurance. Our Paddle insurance will be provided by the American Canoe Association this year. This is a highly professional organization that is known for raising the standard of both paddling and safety for the nation if not the world. I’m excited to partner with the ACA. For ACA members with a valid ACA #, there will be a reduced fee for the price of a paddling event. If you are planning on going to 4 events or more, it’s worth your while.