About us
Simply Kayaking aims to gather old and new friends to enjoy paddling our abundant local lakes, rivers, creeks, swamps, and inter-coastal areas. Most of our events are planned within 90 mins drive of Raleigh/Durham, though we've been know to occasionally stray to South Carolina, or central Florida. We even throw a BBQ now and then. We go to beautiful paddle venues, including a few that are not very well known (can you keep a secret?).
Our wonderful members and volunteer event organizers make this club the best meetup in the triangle!
We only approve new members who own regular kayaks (not inflatables, paddle boards, folding kayaks, canoes, or no kayak at all). We did this because there are very few venues we kayak at, if any, that offer rentals. Inflatables, SUPs, Orus (folding kayaks) and canoes cannot keep up with regular kayaks at our moderate pace and get pushed around easily in any wind. Unless you are a strong, avid paddler in those boats, you wouldn't enjoy paddling with us. Our volunteer event organizers neither want to leave someone behind, nor ignore the rest of the group they committed to lead from the front. If you’re in the market for a kayak, i’d suggest a used one from craigslist, or buy from local shops like REI, Great Outdoor Provision Co, or Get Outdoors in Greensboro. You can find advice on the many types available, as well as reviews, at palling.net I personally prefer 12-15’ sit-inside types, with a comfy seat, and one or two sealed hatches for safety. And don’t skimp on your paddle!
We have very few rules:
1 - Keep Safe
Safety first! - You must be 18+ or with a guardian that can save your butt if necessary. We require you to bring and wear a PFD (personal floatation device) with a waterproof whistle. Also, you must be able to swim 100 yards to shore in an emergency. If you can't manage these most basic safety requirements, unfortunately this isn’t the right club for you. It's also really important to learn to avoid dangerous situations, particularly on flowing rivers, night paddles, and on the ocean. We can help a bit with that, but we are volunteer kayaking enthusiasts, not trained or certified to instruct or rescue. We practice the Common Adventure Model in which you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for your safety and the safety of any guests you might bring.
We do occasionally practice rescues, but real emergency rescues can put several people in danger, so we expect you to allways be careful, use good judgement, and listen up when the organizer gives a very rare safety advice about rocks, a tree down, etc. Some paddles are great for novices too - let us know in the event discussion if you are a beginner so we can confirm if it's a good paddle for you, and we can also offer tips about efficient paddling if you like.
2 - More fun, less drama!
Paddles vary from leisurely to moderate paced, short to long, but almost always allow for stopping for lunch, chat, photos, sometimes a swim, etc. Check the event description and ask questions if you have any. We do expect you to arrive early and be ready to launch at the time specified. If you're a really amazing person we might give you an extra couple minutes, but don't blame us for leaving on time! Sometimes we don't all stay together during a long paddle. That usually happens when we're out for a long time and friends paddle at very different speeds or love to talk vs want some quite time out in nature. Please always tell the event organizer if you are leaving the paddle early.
You're free to talk about any old thing, but use good judgement about who you dicuss sensitive issues with - because our common denominator is not culture wars, it's about having fun in the beautiful outdoors! We probably all talk a lot, but sometimes quiet is appropriate to enjoy the sounds of nature. Some of our events limit attendence, so please don't sign up for an event and take that slot unless you're rather certain you can come. Un-RSVP as soon as possible if you can't make it. If you have a history of last-minute no-shows, we will likely show you the door.
3 - Hah, there is no rule 3!
It’s a good idea to look back to the event listing a couple of hours before an event to check for weather-related cancellations. It’s very rare that we cancel and event last minute, and if so, the event organizer will use meetup’s email facility to contact everyone registered as quickly as we can.
We've met many wonderful people through this club, and some have become closest friends. We've gone to some of the most beautiful places in North Carolina and beyond. Some places that very few ever get to see. And so with your help, we can keep this tradition alive and active in the Triangle.
SK is always looking for organizers with some kayaking experience and good judgement to lead trips in the area. We will gladly make you an Organizer or Assistant Organizer if we get to know you a little first. Please contact us if you're interested! We want to sponsor lots of safe, fun trips, all year round.
See you out on the water soon!
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Simply Kayaking is a club that connects individual kayakers together for paddle events. When you paddle with us you agree we are not responsible for your safety or convenience, or for that of your guests. More fun, less drama!
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Upcoming events
5
Dan River in Madison, NC
Water Street Access, Water Street Boat Access, Madison, NC, USNot a SK Event-Dan River Basin Association is ALSO on Meet-Up-look them up! Danville, VA and sign up for their first of the month Paddles in season or their winter hikes in the Dan River Basin area.
Paddle: Please join us on Saturday, August 1, 2026, for a 4.5-mile paddle on the Dan River from the new Downtown Madison River Park/Water Street River access to the Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing access. Participants will meet at the put-in by 9:00 a.m. to unload boats and set the shuttle. This paddle is suitable for most skill levels with some Class I rapids. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) are open to the public without charge. Participants must supply their own boat, paddles, life jackets, water, and lunch. Please wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (cotton or denim is not recommended); we also recommend a towel and a back-up change of clothing for the ride home. In order to participate with the DRBA group on this outing, all participants will be required to sign a waiver. Access points may involve steps or steep climbs.
Trip highlights:
· About 0.4 miles downstream from the new put-in, the Mayo River flows in from river left. The river was named by William Byrd in honor of William Mayo, an English-born surveyor who assisted Byrd in mapping the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina.
· Roughly half a mile later, the river passes beneath U.S. Highway 220. From this point all the way to the take-out, no bridges, roads, or buildings are visible, offering a peaceful, uninterrupted natural experience.
· Not far past the U.S. 220 highway bridge is an 800-foot rapid called Slink Shoals Sluice. It features four pairs of historic wing dams originally built in the 1820s and later repaired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1880s. These structures helped channel water for the 40-foot bateaux that carried agricultural products and supplies up and down the river. They remain some of the most outstanding surviving remnants of the Dan River Navigation Company, alongside ancient Native American fish traps.
PUT-IN (MEET HERE): Water Street Access, Madison, NC. The put-in is located at Water Street Access,
S. Water Street, Madison, NC 27025
GPS Coordinates: (36.3810120, -79.9560420)
Directions: From the intersection of U.S. Hwy 220 and NC Hwy 704 near Smart Chevrolet, head west on NC Hwy 704 / US 311 (towards Mayodan) for about 1.4 miles. Turn right onto S. Market St. for 0.2 miles, turn right onto E. Murphy St. for 0.2 miles, turn right onto S. Water St for 0.25 miles, the access is on your left under the bridge.
TAKE-OUT: Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing. The take-out is located at 558 Planters Road, Madison, NC 27025 (GPS Coordinates: 36.389346, -79.888302). Directions: From the intersection of U.S. Hwy 220 and NC Hwy 704 near Smart Chevrolet, travel east on NC Hwy 704 for 2.8 miles, then turn left onto Planters Road. Travel 0.7 miles north on Planters Road; the river access will be on your left.
For more information, contact the outing coordinator Will Truslow by email at: [willtruslow@hotmail.com](mailto:willtruslow@hotmail.com) or Chris Adcock at lump_vt@yahoo.com.
NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, July 31, 2026, for additional information.2 attendees
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