Map of Lower Yadkin- Compliments of Terry Tester

Thanks to Terry for the Map. This clearly shows the 801 Access Area in relation to Hwy 64. It's considerably further down further than the fish weir, so there won't be any class 2 rapid, just a slow flowing river. The take out area at the Hannah Ferry Rd Pump station is clearly visible too. Click on Map, to see a larger version.

HRLPaddlers Meeting in Salisbury, April 23rd , 7:00 PM

Our first HRLPaddler meeting in Salisbury has been set for 7:00 PM, in the Hurley Room at the Rowan County Public Library's main headquarters building. Plans are to hold meetings in Salisbury on a regular basis. Remember you don't have to own canoe/kayak to belong to our group. One of our HRLPaddlers mission is to expand the sport of canoe/kayaking. Inviting people without boats is one way we hope to grow the sport and another is hold mid week meetings in various locations. Come be a part of the Ripple Effect, we have an exciting summer planned.

Bev's Breeze- Excursion Sunday

04/06/08

- Today's excursion was a blast! Seven members met at Flat Swamp and we paddled to 4 mile branch...it was beautiful! Bobby paddled the entire excursion in a canoe....he is my new hero and I sure told him so!! Thanks to everyone who helped me out today with paddling tips and lessons. Tom you did a great job! Bill, Terry, Jason, Bobby, Tom, Terry and Jackie....Thanks for the fun trip and wonderful memories. Neal we took lots of pictures for you in your absence....I thoroughly enjoyed 4 mile branch! I even got to experience some "mini" rapids...Tom was good enough to teach me to keep paddling so the water doesn't push me back...Thanks Tom! Thanks too for the paddle lesson as well. It was an awesome day...not too cold and not too hot...My "bevsbreeze" did so good and I managed to sort of "breeze" through the "mini" rapids and only hit a few rocks...but none the less I stayed in my kayak and out of the water this trip....everyone did so well.... Neal we got tickled while we were taking pictures and we couldn't decide if we were taking more time snapping pictures for you versus paddling...yes, we paddled lots more, believe me my arms can attest to that...we missed all you members who couldn't come and hope we can all make it next time....take care everybody and have a super week.

Beverly

4 New Members at Saturday's Meeting

There was no excursion today, but we did have a good turn out for our meeting this morning. New members joining our group were Tim, Steven, Jason and Lloyd. All of them bring different levels of water experience with them. Most of the new members plan to participate in tomorrow's Sunday Excursion, which will be at Flat Swamp. Anyone interested in joining the excursion needs to fill out a sign up sheet. You can do this either online or by stopping by Unique Watercraft on your way to the launch. Sunday's launch will be from Alcoa's Flat Swamp Access area. The access area is known to locals as "Pebble Beach" and it is located just past the second bridge on Hwy 8, if you are heading south from Lexington. The group will meet at the Picnic area prior to the 2 pm launch. Excursion time is estimated to be no more than 3 hours.

Hypothermia- The Rule of 120

We are still on the edge of hypothermia weather. One of the requirements in an American Canoe Association event is the 120 Rule. "If the combined water and air temperatures are under 120, you need to be wearing a wet suit or dry suit when kayaking. This makes perfectly good sense and is great advice for those who like to kayak in all conditions.


If you were kayaking this afternoon, you would need a wet suit, because the combined water and air temperature will be 103 degrees.