Flatwater Paddling

 

BVPC 2010 Calendar 

Membership year ends on March 31st!  Click on the application link to print out the application.

            

Join us for our 10th season when we explore a different waterway every Tuesday night in the Blackstone River Valley. Improve your paddling skills, find the best paddling locations in the valley, learn about water quality, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the water. Meet at 6:15 PM each Tuesday night May  through August. 

The Blackstone Valley Paddle Club was formed by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association. Great Canadian Canoe & Kayak Company is the vendor of choice for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. 

To participate in the Blackstone Paddler's Events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association membership fee of $15.00  is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club.   These fees provide a  family membership and are good for the entire 2009 season.  If you are a current RICKA member, come to a Blackstone Paddler's event and you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee at your first event.  If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may  join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club at your first paddle.

You may also print out the application  and Blackstone Paddlers Safety Standards  and bring to your first paddle

Please make all checks payable to BVPC.  Please note that we have a new mailing address for BVPC and BVPC/RICKA combination memberships,

 please mail to: 

BVPC
P.O. Box 255
North Uxbridge, MA 01538-0255
 

Questions?   Contact Cheryl at  StoneFoxFarm@juno.com or 401-647-5887

Due to popular demand we have rental boats for paddlers on the first and third Tuesday evenings of the month from our vendor Great Canadian.  (Membership requirements are waived for those paddlers renting boats on our rental nights). There is a limited number of kayaks and canoes that may be reserved for a  fee.  To reserve a boat, call Great Canadian at 1-508-865-0010.  Call to leave a message with your request (kayak or canoe), and Great Canadian will return your call with a confirmation. 

 One Thursday evening of the month will be solely devoted to paddlers interested in learning basic strokes that will allow them to better control their boat, whether they paddle a canoe or kayak. Join us for these "Introduction to Paddling" nights. Great Canadian will rent boats for these nights as well. "Introduction to Paddling Nights" are free of charge and included with your membership or boat rental!   Trips are not offered on these evenings.  Also look for our "Ranger Nights" every month when we are  guided by National Park Service Rangers on interpretive paddles.

 

Who are our dedicated Paddle Club leaders that make the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club possible?  Click here for their names and contact information. We have an outstanding group of all volunteer leaders committed to offering paddling and training opportunities here in the Blackstone Valley. 

 

        

BVPC's Partners- RICKA, NPS volunteers and our vendor; Great Canadian

NPS Headquarters at One Depot Square, Woonsocket RI- Photo by Cheryl

 

Great Canadian's Demo Day -Cheryl

High water information links for the Blackstone River Valley - please check frequently for most current information   http://www.blackstonealert.com/

  
Trips!  Self Guided tours   What to Wear   Weather       

Lightning facts

 

Canoe recovery  Erik  Dangerous Dams   Video of 2006 trips - Erik Preventing boating injuries  

 

Check out Erik's video on the Blackstone!
 

 How Kayaks are made- courtesy of Chick N.

 Blackstone Valley Paddle Club wins award

 Valley Breeze article on fall paddling

 Fish Ladders on the Blackstone

 Mass Wildlife Pond Maps

Aquatic Nuisance Species Harm Northeast Region

 

All Cancellations & postponements of RICKA Flatwater  trips & the Blackstone Valley  Paddle Club trips will be posted on the website & sent out on our e-mail list. Please check your e-mail before leaving for a trip.  To sign up for the e-mail list, send an e-mail to StoneFoxFarm@juno.com and write "Join BVPC list" in the subject line or use the link below to subscribe.

Any paddle sport is an assumed risk sport. Some aspects of canoeing and kayaking involve the risk  of serious injury or death. The Blackstone Valley Paddle Club and Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (Rhode Island Canoe Association, Inc.), although safety conscious, cannot guarantee your personal safety in club activities. Each participant is responsible for his or her own training in boating and rescue techniques, equipment, and personal well-being when engaging in or attending club-organized activities.

Please note that PFDs (life vests) are required on all RICKA trips including: flatwater, sea kayaking, whitewater and the Blackstone Paddler's  trips.  There are no exceptions. Note: Inflatable PFDs (life vests) are not acceptable for paddling on  RICKA Flatwater trips or Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trips. 

 

Subscribe to RICKA_FLATWATER  the email list that serves the Blackstone Paddlers
  

 

 

Erik working the Walk-a-thon along the Blackstone River. The wooden canoe "The William Blackstone" was built by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club.

 

 

 

 

 

Trips and details!   

 

 National Park Service, two state governments, dozens of local municipalities, businesses, nonprofit historical and environmental organizations, educational institutions, many private citizens, and a unifying commission all work together in partnerships to protect the Valley's special identity and prepare for its future.

Blackstone Valley Division of Tourism

Woonsocket !

 

End