Simply Kayaking !

January 30, 2012 9:30 AM - 4 attended

Monday Morning Paddle on the Neuse

Smithfield Town Commons Park - boat ramp (map)

Selected By: Chris T

54 photos of this Meetup

Uploaded by: Ron Eugene Wulff, Rufus Jr (Rufdawg)

While everyone else is rushing to start the rat race for the week, let's slow things down with a paddle down the Neuse. We will meet at the boat ramp off 70 Business in Smithfield Town Commons and shuttle back up to the access at Hwy 42 just outside of Clayton. From there we will paddle the 14 miles back to Smithfield. We will finish up mid afternoon, just in time to beat the afternoon rush of grumpy drivers. Remember the water this time of year is cold and you will need to dress accordingly in layers. Plan on staying dry, but prepare in case you get wet.

Rodney Stancil
That's a great trip. Done it many times. I am supposed to work Monday unfortunately, but I could get sick or somethig. lol ;-)

Posted January 26 at 9:44 AM
Chris T
Yeah it is a great trip. I have done it before myself years ago. I am off on Mondays and have a meeting with the Town of Smithfield early to go over the plans for our Hope Floats overnight stay in Smithfield Town Commons. While there I wanted paddle the section of the river we will be posting as a day trip on April 7th.

Posted January 26 at 9:56 AM
Ron Eugene Wulff
I did a solo paddle on Neuse yesterday afternoon in Poole Rd Area. River Flow ave 0.4 to 0.5 mph. At a very leisurely paddle intensity I averaged 3.0 mph upstream & 3.4 mph downstream. Typically 10 easy strokes & 5 or 6 second glide between. Something i think i could very easily maintain for 8 or 10 hr's a day.

Posted January 26 at 10:31 AM
Sophie
This should be fun!! Thanks for posting this Chris : ) How could I possibly miss this!

Posted January 26 at 2:32 PM | 1 like
Rufus Jr (Rufdawg)
Is this section of the river narrow? Is it as wide as the Tar?Any rocks to dodge? I am thinking of joining you for the paddle.Wondering which boat to bring. I am on house arrest/call this Weekend through 7am Monday. Maybe stir crazy by Monday morning.

Posted January 26 at 4:20 PM
Chris T
I haven't been on the Tar so I can't really compare it for you, but in most places the section we are doing is 100 to 130 feet wide.

Posted January 26 at 4:28 PM
Chris T
As far as rocks, I know there are at least two class I rapids in the beginning of the section but if I remember from my last trip they didn't pose any difficulty to navigate through with the water levels where they are right now. I can't say you won't see a rock or two but we aren't talking about a quarter mile rock garden or anything like that.

Posted January 26 at 4:35 PM
Ron Eugene Wulff
The Neuse in launch area looks to be maybe 70 to 100 ft wide & looks to be relatively exciting with lots of small white water around trees & rocky areas. Launch site a bit challenging. I think you will LOVE IT. Hope you make it. You could just meet us at launch, 6085 Mial Plantation Rd, Raleigh zip 27604. Lat 35.703, Long 78.478, if departure time gets tuff. ron

Posted January 26 at 4:37 PM
Rufus Jr (Rufdawg)
I guess the kayak choice will be plastic. Leaning toward making the drive. It is ~hour drive according to google maps. Will see how whooped I am on Sunday, before committing.

Posted January 26 at 6:02 PM
Ron Eugene Wulff
Hey Ruffdawg; I'm tempted towards plastic myself, but only have a heavy & very wet SOT. So still undecided, & may just sacrifice jel coat on my ol Necky Looksha. I believe U'll find it worth the drive to have a blast & regain some sanity.

Posted January 26 at 7:07 PM
Sophie
Hey Rufdawd, come on over and join us. It'll be fun!!

Posted January 26 at 7:16 PM
Chris T
Ron I have three tupperware boats. If you want to use one I will throw it on the trailer when I come.

Posted January 26 at 9:12 PM
Ron Eugene Wulff
Thank you for kind offer Chris T, but think i will just use one of mine this trip. :<)

Posted January 27 at 7:29 AM
Rodney Stancil
I live about 10 miles from the put in. We have had a good amount of rain this week. I would imagine those small rapids are under water on Monday. There aren't any rocks to worry about really. River is about 100' wide all the way. Usually about a 4 to 5 hour trip. Take out is muddy usually. I'm going to try to make it but not sure yet.

Posted January 27 at 10:10 AM
Rufus Jr (Rufdawg)
Beeper off- paddle on. My contact# 252-531-9724 in case I am MIA or lost somewhere. I do not have any of your numbers.

Posted January 30 at 7:03 AM
Chris T
I am loaded up and leaving the house in just a few since I have a meeting with the town first thing but after that I will see you all at the ramp about 9:30. 910-890-1094 if anyone needs to get me.

Posted January 30 at 7:10 AM
Sophie
I, on the other hand, have been up off/on since 2 am not feeling well so I will be pulling out of the paddle today : (
Have fun!! I'll miss paddling w/you guys today

Posted January 30 at 7:15 AM
Ron Eugene Wulff
Sophie, hope you get better soon. We will miss you 4 sure. Take good care of yourslf.

Posted January 30 at 7:24 AM
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4 attended

4.502 (2 ratings)

Event Host

Chris T
Assistant Organizer

January? Are you kidding me! It was a beautiful day to paddle. Hate it for everyone else who had to work or couldnt make it.
Ron Eugene Wulff
Salty Dog, Assistant Organizer

Nice fourteen mile paddle with some whitewater & gel-coat eating rocks that we enjoyed for ~ 4.5 hours. Small but very nice group of Kayakers.
Rufus Jr (Rufdawg)

Apex, NC

Founded May 17, 2009

Read more about us…

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We're a kayaking group who has only two hard and fast rules..... you need to be safe, and you absolutely HAVE to have FUN! We're principally flatwater (lakes, streams, rivers, etc) paddlers, but this group is really about whatever floats your boat....really!

Whitewater? Sure thing...
Canoes? Can do...
Rubber dhingys? Uhhh.OK!
Sculling.... BYOC ....
A 2 X 4 from Home Depot? Just float it safely !

This group is about RECREATION, and ranges from the basic beginner to the most advanced skill levels. If you want a bunch of rules, and committees, and people telling you what to do and offering to sell you secret handshakes, you made a wrong turn. Certainly we'll be making learning and developing your skills part of the offerings here, but these offerings will be from the standpoint that it makes you a safer kayaker on the water, not that you're here to get a bunch of medals, and it's not just a place where you're going to spend as much time as a Delta pilot practicing emergency landings. If your expectation for being here is the next ACA or BCU level accolade, that may happen, and we certainly wish you the best on that quest, but we're here to have fun, and be safe. Please don't try to turn everyone into your personal kayaking trainer.

I'll simply promise two things.

THING ONE: This group will ALWAYS practice safety first. We are not going to compromise on that. Part of the safety requirement is following the laws of the state(s) we boat in.

THING TWO: I'll also promise that if this starts to look, smell or act like work, or a government run beauocracy, you can push me over Victoria Falls in an inner tube.... We are NOT the DMV, and I presume you already have (or have access to) a mommy! That is not my function!

This is also a FREE group to members. Only in those situations where we are going to locations where there is a charge for a facility will there be any fee to member (ie the National Whitewater Resource Center in Charlotte has an entry fee). Membership in this group is also on an individual basis, as many of our events require a headcount limit, such that signing up as couples could cause us to overbook some of our events. If you have a Meetup membership as a couple, I will be requesting that you establish individual memberships, and apply individually as a condition of joining Simply Kayaking!

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I am going to attempt to provide a well rounded group, and Assistant Organizers that have a wide set of kayaking interests to extend the opportunities available to any and all interested kayakers.

Enjoy, and BE SAFE!