Flatwater Paddling with Albany-Schenectady ADK

General Information for Evening Paddling Trips

On most Tuesday (some Wednesday) evenings from May thru October the Albany-Schenectady Chapter of ADK paddles various waterways in the Capital District area. There are at least 2 groups. The slow group (“Lily-Dippers”) goes as slow as the slowest paddler and may be best for short wide boats or less skilled paddlers. The moderate group is for most everyone else and goes about 3 to 3.5 mph. If there is enough interest, a fast group will be formed. Expect to paddle for about two hours. Scheduled trips launch rain or shine. It is suggested that you obtain a good roadmap of the Capital District or use  www.mapquest.com or other mapping app for directions to the launch site locations. It is customary, after the paddle, for the group Leader to gather the attendees for a social snack either at the launch site or a nearby park, or pick a nearby restaurant and convene the Paddlers Committee Meeting (PCM) to socialize, plan future trips and enjoy a meal with old and new friends. Everyone who paddles is automatically a Committee Member and is invited to participate.  Canoes, kayaks, SUPs are all welcome.

Members are encouraged to sign up for the Paddlers Emails to keep up with information of interest, changes in plans, and general paddling news.

The following are the Albany Chapter guidelines to participate in the Evening Paddles:

• Respect Other Users of the Waterways — Steer clear of fishermen. Don’t forget their fishing lines go well out into the water. Stay close to shore when motorboats are out. 
• Red & Green Buoys mark the deep water channels – stay between the buoys & shore. Paddle in a tight group when crossing large bodies of water.
• Launch on Time — Please be in your boats on the water and congregated near shore before the launch time. People launching after start time are not officially with the group. The leaders will conduct a short On-the-Water Meeting with the group to discuss the water, weather conditions and plans for the paddle.
• Duty of the Paddler — It is the responsibility of the paddler to stay with the group and know who the leaders are – If you don’t know, ask someone.
• Leaving the Group – The leaders take a headcount at the On-the-Water Meeting. Therefore, please notify one of the leaders if you need to leave the group for any reason.    ADK is not responsible for paddlers who choose not to paddle with the group.

Required Gear — All paddlers must bring along a white light (a headlamp is good) and a whistle (a pealess one is best) and must wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device aka life jacket). There are no exceptions to these requirements.