I have a dream (Pittsburgh newbie)

Get hooked up with the TRPC ( three rivers paddling club)
They have a website and forum but most the activity has moved to a Facebook page. They have a clinic that you need to take this summer..... Turkey Bash...... In Ohiopyle

Not much info on the Buzz for kayaking..... Just a bunch of rafters talking about pooping in boxes and how to build something you can buy for 12 cents cheaper.

nemi west said:

Get hooked up with the TRPC ( three rivers paddling club)
They have a website and forum but most the activity has moved to a Facebook page. They have a clinic that you need to take this summer..... Turkey Bash...... In Ohiopyle

Not much info on the Buzz for kayaking..... Just a bunch of rafters talking about pooping in boxes and how to build something you can buy for 12 cents cheaper.

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So you're telling me I found my new home?

I'll check out the TRPC, thanks for the tip!

There is plenty of kayaking on this site. Enjoy.

Respect the gauley

The standard, after living in fayetteville for almost a decade goes..

If you can run fayette station 8-10 times with combat rolls, youre ready to run the New.

If you can run the New without problem from 2-14 ft gage level, youre ready for the Lower gauley and tentatively run the Upper.

Ive been on enough body recoveries on the Gauley to respect it. I absolutely love that river, but it can dish out quite a whomping. Good luck to you and we are all but between swims

JnnyHart said:

The standard, after living in fayetteville for almost a decade goes..

If you can run fayette station 8-10 times with combat rolls, youre ready to run the New.

If you can run the New without problem from 2-14 ft gage level, youre ready for the Lower gauley and tentatively run the Upper.

Ive been on enough body recoveries on the Gauley to respect it. I absolutely love that river, but it can dish out quite a whomping. Good luck to you and we are all but between swims

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That's the kind of advice I came her for. Thanks a ton.

I'm a beginning boater in Pittsburgh. Well I started two years ago, but been going real slow due to work, family, life.

Before taking lessons in Ohiopyle check out Jeff Prycl at Rocky Mountain Kayak In New Stanton. He offers Wednesday night roll and paddling lessons ($20 to use his gear - I think). He also does Sunday classes in Ohiopyle, not sure what those are like.

You just missed Slip Clinic, put on by TRPC. It is the first weekend in June. Turkey Bash is first weekend in August.

Not sure on your size, but I've seen a few used boats sale around the area. Buying used will get you on the water and, might allow you see what you like about it. You could likely sell it for what you paid a short time later if you found you liked a different boat. There is a handful of boats that most recommend for beginners: Burn (what I bought), Diesel, Remix, Hero, maybe Ammo (wife just got a used one and likes it. Nano is new model), Mamba.

Feel free to send me a PM.

You have some good stuff pretty closer to you as well. The Yough, the North Branch of the Potomac, Cheat Narrows, Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy just to name a few....lots of other good sleeper runs as well will just a little more drive time as those^

Thats good advice on progression jnnyhart!

Thanks Aggie, I gave Rocky Mountain Kayak a call over my lunch break. I'm going to have to see if I can get out of work early a few Wednesdays, but I'm going to take advantage of that for sure.

Thanks for the heads up kanzam!

Jeff is abrasive. But amazing teacher. The Sunday classes will definitely give you a beating, but they're worth it. He teaches you well and how to do things I've never witnessed in beginner classes I've taken out here with my friends. They're also free! Just buy him some dinner afterwards . I started last summer. In late June. And by the end of the season I was on the Lower Gauley.

Don't forget about the Casselman River near Ohiopyle. A beautiful and uncrowded class 2-2+ 20 miles of river.

My suggestion is to start reading about our sport (yours and mine) and join a club with good beginner support. Don't be afraid to evaluate their safety practices. Look at their organization, communication, and attitude on the water. I say this only because I was a member of a club for years and, looking back on those days, we were a danger to ourselves and others. We had a great time but had a few near misses too. The Gauley has a well-earned reputation so approach it with respect. Damn I miss that river!


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