Join VSDC: Beginner Whitewater Kayaking Immersion + Dinner at Kelley Farm

Join VSDC and friends for a one-day, ACA-accredited introduction to the exhilarating sport of whitewater kayaking.

Our beautiful rivers are the perfect place to move your body, reconnect with nature, and experience the joy of learning a new skill alongside a friendly, supportive community. On the water, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery—the echoes of wildlife, majestic trees, sculpted rock formations, and the energy of a living river flowing through its winding corridor.

As whitewater kayakers, we learn to move with the current. We use strategy, technique, and full-body engagement as we glide through wave trains, playfully surf river features, and skillfully explore each river's unique character. Every river trip is an immersive experience in nature's rhythms and dynamic forces—including your own.
Whitewater kayaking offers moments of calm and focus alongside bursts of excitement and adrenaline. It takes you to remarkable places that are often inaccessible by land, while building strength, confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with both nature and your paddling partners. And it might even make you feel a little badass.

Who Should Join
This course is designed for complete beginners, including those with no previous whitewater kayaking experience.

What We'll Learn
We'll start with the fundamentals, helping you build safe, reliable skills from day one. Throughout the course, you'll learn the basics of:

• Proper boat fit and equipment
• Essential paddle strokes
• Steering and boat control
• Wet exits and water safety
• Reading current and river features
• Introductory river maneuvers

Whether you're looking for a new outdoor adventure, a full-body challenge, or simply a fun day on the river, this course is a wonderful place to begin.

Location
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
We'll paddle either the Shenandoah River or the Potomac River. The exact location will be determined closer to the course date based on water levels and river conditions.

Optional Post-Rafting Dinner at the all-vegan Kelley Farm Kitchen:
Kelley Farm Kitchen (aka KFK) was named Yelp’s #1 restaurant in the country in 2021! Around 5 pm at KFK, we will each order from their normal menu and each attendee will pay the restaurant directly, based on what is ordered. Check out their big menu!

Cost & Registration:
The price of this event is $108 (discounted from the standard $149 price).
Payment must be made to Appalachian Guidance directly:
https://www.appalachianguidance.com/plant-powered-adventure

Paddling Gear - bring your own if you prefer. Gear is included in the cost. Any loaner gear will be assigned according to each paddler's height and weight, following the manufacturer's recommendations.

• Kayak
• Paddle
• PFD (life jacket)
• Helmet
• Spray skirt

WHAT ELSE TO BRING

• Bring your own all-vegan picnic lunch and snacks so we can enjoy that on the river (please no peanuts due to allergy concerns)
• Closed-toe river shoes with good traction (old sneakers work great)
• Water bottle (2–4 liters)
• Natural sunscreen (please no spray sunscreen)
• Quick-drying clothing that provides sun protection
• Note: On especially hot days, lightweight natural fibers such as cotton can be worn and will provide a cooling effect.
• Hat
• Contact lenses instead of glasses (if applicable)
• Towel
• A complete change of clothes for after the river
  An adventurous spirit 🐬

Group Size
This course is limited to 8 participants to ensure individualized instruction and a high-quality experience.

Your Instructor
Jeff Cogle is an ACA L4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor, L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and L5 Rafting and Oars Instructor, as well as a L5 Rafting/Paddle Instructor Trainer. As a Harpers Ferry native with four decades of river guiding experience, Jeff knows the local rivers intimately, including the important river features, hazards, and best spots for learning at a wide range of water levels. While he has gone on to remarkable levels as a whitewater kayaker, including pro-level competition and multiple Grand Canyon descents, he still loves helping beginners build strong foundations from the start.

Sarah Kellett is a devoted vegan, suspension yoga safety expert, passionate whitewater kayaker, and waterway activist. She will be hosting and assisting this course, as well as guiding some gentle warm-up movements in the morning.

Note: In the event that the course must be rescheduled due to water levels or other concerns, the new course date will be Saturday August 15.

Event link: https://www.appalachianguidance.com/plant-powered-adventure

IMPORTANT: Note that RSVPing here does not guarantee your spot. You must contact Appalachian Guidance directly using the link provided above. Space is very limited, so please make your reservation as soon as possible. If there is still room, the reservation deadline is 6 pm on Thu, Aug 6.

Once someone registers, there will be a follow-up email sent to them with basic event details as well as a standard ACA waiver. Completing the waiver in advance will save some time (and paper).

VSDC: More Than A Meetup
We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits?
With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Join today!

Ways to Stay In Touch with Us
Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to:

• Become a VSDC member to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
• Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with us.

Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?
VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, please visit our website.

Only Vegan Food, Please
While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.