What we’re about
Arizona Paddle is a MeetUp group for people who like to kayak and paddle board. Both beginners and experienced paddlers are welcome. The majority of our trips will be day trips to the Salt River, Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, and the Tempe Town Lake (I live right near there) although we will occasionally go farther afield. Although we will have many more paddling trips during the summer than otherwise, the club will be active year-round.
Unlike most other meetup groups, this one is not solely driven by the group leader(s). Anyone who wants to may lead a trip. Just let me know and I'll make you a trip leader and you can post your own adventure to share with the club.
Please note that neither myself, nor any other trip leaders are professional tour guides, nor do we have any special training in first aid or rescue. You are entirely responsible for your own safety. The best way to think of this club is as a bulletin board where anyone who wishes to go on paddling adventures may post trips to find new friends to accompany them.
Paddle craft: Paddle boards and hard-shell kayaks are best. High quality inflatable kayaks (not Intex) will also work. If you do not have a watercraft and wish to join our activities, you can message me or post your desire to borrow one in the comment section of our trips. I always have extra kayaks to lend out and many others in our club do as well. If you need to rent one (you shouldn't have to), I would recommend Riverbound Sports in Tempe (Riverboundsports.com). Other options are Hiking Shack, Arizona Outdoor Fun, and Sports Chalet. Rental fees may be about $40 per day.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- The Grateful (Dead) Festival2446 Ft Tuthill Lp, Flagstaff, AZ
Join me for a weekend of camping, partying, and great music. This is another non-paddling event, but it was requested that I post it and I am thrilled that people were interested in coming with me.
Every Memorial Day weekend there is a Grateful Dead festival in Flagstaff. It is held adjacent to the Fort Tuthill County Campground, just south of Flag. You can get there any time Friday afternoon, camp for the weekend, and go home Monday morning. There is one indoor concert Friday night, and then music all day long outdoors Saturday and Sunday. It is mostly Grateful Dead cover bands but this year they also have cover bands for Frank Zappa, Phish, the Allman Brothers, and Pink Floyd. These bands are really good. Don't let the term "cover band" throw you. One of the headliners, Electric Waste Band, has been playing together for over 30years. Many of the other bands have similar experience.
Check out the website for the festival:
Grateful Festival - Grateful Dead, Music Festival, Jerry Garcia
The cost is $200 for the 3-day music ticket and $50 for camping for the weekend (you can buy tickets individually: $20 for Friday night, $100 each for Saturday and Sunday). I don't know if or how fast the music and/or camping spaces will sell out.
I should get there about 1:00 pm on Friday. You should be able to spot me as the camping area is not terribly large. I drive a blue Ford F-150 with a solid blue (no windows) camper shell. My tentative plan is to camp towards the northeast corner of the campgrounds.
Camp sites include picnic tables, fire rings, nearby portable toilets, and water spigots. There will be two food vendors in the concert area for all 3 days of the festival, along with a selection of beer. There will also be free water refill stations. You will be allowed to bring your own water into the shows, but no outside food or alcohol. You may also bring chairs, blankets, and cameras into the shows. You may reenter at will.
If you're not familiar with Grateful Dead music:
I'm a total Deadhead and this weekend will be a blast; I hope you can join me.
