New to Paddling - Information on Getting Started
ACA Learning Resources
The American Canoeing Association is the premier organization for resources on all things paddling. We highly recommend you also join the ACA. These documents linked below provide some of the best and most concise information on learning and safety.
We also recommend this course during this current time of Covid:
Which river do I paddle now? And how do I get to the Ocoee? (River Progression in the Southeast)
So you read my previous article and got all your whitewater gear together and found some paddle buddies. So what rivers should you start on? Where should you go next? I’m going to give my advice for Atlanta area boaters. This advice will go to the upper end of...
Whitewater Kayaking (How Do I Get Started?)
How do I get started Whitewater kayaking? Well, that's a good question! Let me tell you about the 5 essential pieces of gear you will need, and some quick safety advice, so you can start exploring those easier rivers and learning the ropes. Before you leave the...
Winter Paddling Gear
This article is aimed at new paddlers looking toward their first winter of paddling in the Southeast. The winter rains bring free-flow back to dry rivers, and give us a lot more options than the same summer dam-released rivers. The rafts are gone, and its just the...
Tying Down a Canoe or Kayak
After a great day on the river, imagine driving home and hearing a loud pop, then looking in your rear view mirror as your canoe or kayak bounces off the car behind you. Tying down your canoe or kayak is your responsibility and needs to be done right. Either straps or...
Choosing a Kayak
Choosing the right kayak for you is primarily determined by what rivers or lakes you want to paddle. There is no real do-everything kayak any more than there is an do-everything car or bicycle. Do you want to run whitewater? Then you need a river runner, creek...
Signing Up For Canoe / Kayak Trips
With spring in full swing and with the advent of our new website based trip list it’s a good idea to have a refresher on GCA club trip sign-up guidelines. For the full version click here. Make sure that you have contact with the trip coordinator (TC). Don’t consider...