About us
WHO WE ARE:
• A community of kayakers, primarily from Northeast Ohio... who desire to be active year-round.
• Devoted to Safety & Education first, but always seeking Fun & Adventure.
• Inclusive of all kayakers (beginners, intermediate, advanced) who wish to advance their kayak skills & to upgrade their gear.
• Where do we paddle? Wherever there is water!! Lakes, rivers, creeks, canals, etc.
• Activities are planned for both time on the water and time socializing in other settings.
• Opportunities for educational & training programs will be offered... both in the classroom and on the water from other organizations. Varied topics will be covered to help further your kayaking skills, regardless of your current level.
• Generally, events are organized right here in Northeast Ohio. However on occasion, we will expand our horizons to include surrounding states & even overnight trips (camping or hotel)
• Committed to collaboration with ODNR, ACA, USPS, local Metro Parks & outfitters, and also other boating groups that are in alignment with our goals.
HOUSEKEEPING RULES:
• You should always follow Ohio boating laws & regulations. Safety is always a priority.
• By becoming a member of this group, you must accept responsibility for your own safety, <br>always recognizing your own limits. This is a social paddling group and we are not guides, rescue, or emergency medical technicians.
• You should be respectful of the event host & your fellow paddlers. Please be ready to launch at the departure time. Come prepared. If not able to attend, please change your RSVP to "No".
• You need to consider your part in financially supporting the costs of this group. Each member will be expected to donate $5-10 per year. This is not mandatory however.
REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW MEMBERS:
• You have your own kayak/gear or have access to the same.
• You post a headshot picture, by yourself... along with a basic introductory statement.
• You answer all questions within the Profile Section.
Upcoming events
8
No longer an intro to Kayak Camping. Trip is now just camping and kayaking.
Buckaloons Recreation Area, 181 National Forge Rd, Irvine, PA, US**EDIT 7/6/26: Everyone currently participating already has experience in canoe/kayak camping so there is no need for practicing/learning and no longer a need for a zoom meeting. If you have a shorter boat and want to join us, you are welcome as long as you can paddle steadily for 6 hours; the river will likely be low and with slow current during most of the 16 miles we will be covering each day. Be sure to have a decent life vest, sun protection, plenty of water, lunch/snacks that can be eaten in your boat if necessary, a first aid kit, bow and stern lines about 10 feet long.
EDIT #2 Campsite Reservations: I reserved the group campsite. The cost is only $24.80 per person based on 10 people, regardless of whether you stay 2 or 3 nights. This is non-refundable, unless someone else can be found to take your place in the event that you cancel. Should this event be cancelled due to weather or other unforeseeable reason you will be refunded your equal share of the amount refunded by recreation.gov. The price per person would be even less and the difference refunded to you in cash at the event. Please send $24.80 to secure your spot, by Paypal or Zelle to me at 234-788-2594.
ORIGINAL POST: Curious about kayak/canoe camping but not ready to dive right in? This practice trip is for you! It is also for any OKA member who just wants to paddle and car camp.
We will camp at Buckaloons Recreation Area on the Allegheny River, meeting there Sunday after the 2:00 pm check-in time. Each night around the campfire we will discuss the paddle/shuttle plan for the following day.
Those of us who will be practicing will have to hustle more in the morning and evening than the others. The basic plan will be to get up early Monday morning, have a quick breakfast, make a river lunch, break camp if you are practicing, run shuttle to Kinzua Tailwaters Boat Ramp at the Big Bend Visitor Center below Kinzua Dam, load all your gear into your boat (tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food, cooking utensils, water filter, etc), paddle 16 miles (5.5-6 hours) to Buckaloons, go pick up shuttle vehicles, set up camp again if you are practicing, make dinner, relax by the fire. Ideally, we "practicers" will only use what we carry in our boats, as if it were a real trip and our cars weren't right beside our tents. This includes all food, water, maybe a tiny camp chair to sit on, etc.
Tuesday morning, hopefully while we practicers are tearing down camp again, the others will shuttle cars to the takeout in Tidioute. After packing the boats with all our gear we will paddle 16 miles (6 hours) from Buckaloons to Tidioute, eating lunch on the river. After all the shuttling is done at the end of the day, some people may want to go home instead of staying one more night at Buckaloons. I plan to stay at Buckaloons again Tuesday night and enjoy a leisurely morning in the campground before heading home. Those who drive home on Tuesday are likely to get home about 9:00 pm, give or take.
Note: Although there are no portages on this trip, there is one set of rapids on Monday that will splash water into your boat and could capsize you if you happen to get turned sideways. This rapid can be avoided by putting in downstream of the rapid at the Betts Park Boat Launch in Warren, PA, instead of at Kinzua Dam. Unfortunately, this launch is only 5 miles/2 hours upstream of Buckaloons. Here is detailed information with videos of the rapids: https://www.alleghenyoutfitters.com/blog/2024/2/3/allegheny-river-caution-area-rapid-behind-united-refining-in-warren-pennsylvania
We will discuss this option Sunday night.***
Take-Out Location Tuesday
Tidioute Boat Launch
Johnson St, Tidioute, PA
Launch Location Monday:
Kinzua Tailwaters Boat Ramp near the Big Bend Visitor's Center
Powerhouse Drive, Warren, PA
Possible Alternate Launch Location Monday:
Betts Park Boat Launch
Ludlow Street, Warren, PA***
Requirements
- Solid kayaking skills: River experience and able to paddle 3 mph on moving water for 6 hours.
- Kayak or canoe with valid registration in OH or PA, at least 12 feet long for efficiency and stability
- Primitive camping experience preferred but not required
- Pre-trip practice loading your gear into your boat
- It is REQUIRED to wear a life vest at all times while in the boat (Always check for wear and tear at the beginning of the season and also test that the life preserver still has enough buoyancy to keep your head out of the water if you are unconscious.)
- Bring all camping gear, water, and meals—pack light, waterproof, and self-sufficient. (All of us practicers will coordinate this in advance in order to minimize having to purchase gear that you aren't sure you will use again. I have gear that someone can borrow, if needed. DM me if you don't have backpacking equipment.)
***
Important Notes
- This is a peer trip, not a guided service. By joining, you take full responsibility for your own safety.
- Paddlers should be comfortable with river currents, navigation, and self-rescue. Even if we decide to skip the "river caution rapids", there will be little Class 1 riffles, small waves and currents.
- Shuttle coordination will be required—please be ready to help with vehicles.
- Weather-dependent—trip may be postponed if river levels are too high or conditions unsafe.
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