Aloha!

Welcome to the Lake Norman Stand Up Paddle Boarding meetup group. Over the last few years, this sport has taken off like crazy here in the greater Charlotte area and we are excited to provide all levels of paddleboarders with a friendly space to safely get on the water!

The #1 reason Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is now so popular is because almost anyone can join in the fun. In fact, even those who are new to the sport are able to learn at our group sponsor, My Aloha Paddle & Surf, waterfront location in Davidson. Paddleboarding offers everyone a ton of benefits, like:

• Building balance as well as fitness

• Engaging in a strong core and full body workout

• Can be done anywhere from calm lakes, to rivers or ocean waves

• Fun as a group activity

• Relaxing for solo outings

• Eco-friendly - YOU are the motor

• Relatively low cost of entry

This group is open to anyone who wants to learn, or help positively promote, the sport and have a good time on the water without leaving a carbon footprint. There is NO COST to join with this meetup community thanks to our group sponsor since 2011 - My Aloha and Surf - and we thank them for their continued support. 

(My Aloha Paddle and Surf strongly encourages an Introduction lesson for all beginners. Why? Safety first and the tips and guidance you receive goes a long way! Sign up and see details at www.paddleboardcharlotte.com)

We welcome members to share their favorite places to get on the water and post routes and/or mileage logs to the forums. Feel free to jump in and contribute your paddleboarding experiences. We also encourage members to cross-post and share events and activities associated with paddleboarding and watersport related eco-friendly events on the water. We love the growing member diversity with people from Lake Norman, Lake Davidson and Mt. Island Lake to an increasing number of members on Lake Wylie and throughout the Catawba River. 

Mahalo!

While this is a relatively safe sport compared to others keep in mind that by joining this meetup group you are expressly accepting the liability of any participation in any event and excuse any member or sponsor from such liability. Let's keep it safe and have fun out there. Specifically, please do NOT excessively drink and paddle at any time as that may jeopardize the safety of yourself and others on the water.

ACCIDENT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

By reading this or participating in an event I certify that I am physically fit, have sufficiently trained and prepared for participation in this event and have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical person. I acknowledge that this athletic event is a test of a person’s physical and mental limits, which carries with it the potential for death, serious injury and property loss. The risks include, but are not limited to those caused by terrain, facilities, temperature, weather, condition of athletes, lack of hydration, equipment, vehicular traffic, actions of other people including, but not limited to, participants, volunteers, spectators, journalists, event officials, event monitors, and/or producers of the event. The risks are not only inherent to participants, but are also present for volunteers, and support staff. I hereby assume all of the risks of participating and/or volunteering in this MEETUP.COM event. 

On consideration of my interest and permitting me to participate in this event, I hereby take action for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors, guests and assigns as follows: (A) Waive, Release and Discharge from any and all liability for my death, disability, personal injury, property damage, property theft or actions of any kind which may hereafter accrue to me or my traveling to and from this event or activity. THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES OR PERSONS: Meetup.com, the group organizer, co-organizers, assistant organizers, officers, employees, volunteers, representatives and the event holders, event sponsors, event directors, event volunteers, as well as any and all involved municipalities or other public entities, (and their respective agents and employees); (B) Indemnify and Hold Harmless the entities or persons mentioned in this paragraph from any and all liabilities or claims made by other individuals or entities as a result of any of my actions during this event. 

I acknowledge and accept responsibility for insuring that any and all guests that I bring to any activity organized by this group have read and understand the AWRL.  I understand that to participate everyone must be between 70 -250 lbs, able to swim and in reasonably good health.

I hereby consent to receive medical treatment which may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident and /or illness during events. I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the rules of the event as published on the event website. I also understand that at this event or related activities, I may be photographed. I agree to allow my name and/or likeness to be used for any legitimate purpose by event holders, producers, sponsors, organizers and assigns. 

I acknowledge that this Accident Waiver and Release of Liability form will be used by the event holders, sponsors, and organizers, in which I may participate and that it will govern my actions and responsibilities at said events. It is further understood and agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risk is to be binding on my heirs and assigns. This AWRL shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.  By joining this group, and electing to attend an event, I affirm that I have read and understand the AWRL.