Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Explore paddling on Schuylkill River
Resources available for annual events
Once the weather warms every spring, kayaks and canoes can be seen along the 137-mile Schuylkill River. The water trail flows through Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia counties. Whether someone is experienced or new to paddling, there’s information available to help them navigate a fun journey on the river. Below are resources and events people can utilize to paddle the Schuylkill this season. Join the schuylkill river sojourn
The 2021 sojourn will be a fiveday paddle along the river beginning from Jim Dietrick Park in Reading on July 31 and ending in Philadelphia on Aug. 4. Participants can select to do one day, multiple days, or all five days of the event.
Tim Fenchel, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area deputy director, said the sojourn is a great way for people new to the river or paddling to get started. The annual sojourn welcomes back veterans every year who are experienced Schuylkill River paddlers available to mentor newcomers in need of guidance.
“The group as a whole has such a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. If you’ve never paddled before or if you’re nervous about getting on a river, it’s one of the best ways to learn,” Fenchel said.
He said there are also safety protocols in place and certified guides. Fenchel said the sojourn is a great way to explore the river without having to worry about details such as planning a route, having launch permits or figuring out how to shuttle your gear.
“You just get to show up and get on the river to experience a day of paddling,” he said.
Registration for this year’s Schuylkill River Sojourn opens on May 15 for people doing all five days of the event. Registrations for anyone doing four days or less will open on May 22. More information is available at schuylkillriver.org/programs-projects/ schuylkill-river-sojourn.
Participate in a pedal & paddle excursion
The Pedal & Paddle program is a round-trip adventure, which begins and ends from the same location along the Schuylkill River or Schuylkill River Trail. The excursion starts with either a 4.5-mile bike ride along the trail or a paddle along the river. Then participants switch activities halfway through the event. All equipment and gear are included with registration. Participants borrow both a bike and boat for the journey, so they don’t need to shuttle any of those items to the starting point.
“Sometimes the hurdle is owning a bike or boat, and being able to transport that gear,” Fenchel said.
He said the event is great for couples, family members or a group of friends. He said the activity allows
people to learn more about the river and trail, as well as the communities along with these resources. The first Pedal & Paddle event of the 2021 season is on May 15.
More information is available at schuylkillriver.org/programs-projects/schuylkill-river-pedal-paddles.
Take it outdoors with help from a recreation service
Take It Outdoors Adventures is a recreational outfitter and service based in Pottstown. The company partners with Schuylkill River Greenways to expand access to the river. Take It Outdoors offers a variety of guided trips along the river with certified guides. There are options to rent a boat and get gear shuttled if needed.
Some of the guided trips include a Wednesday Night Paddle and the soon-to-come Saturday Morning Sessions. People can bring their own boat or rent one to attend the evening Wednesday paddle which includes socializing with others and learning about local waterways such as the Schuylkill River. The sessions on Saturday morning will involve paddling upstream for 45 minutes to an hour, then floating downstream for about 15 minutes.
“It’s a workout for sure,” said Noah Phillips, Take It Outdoors director.
Phillips said the recreational service is also available to anyone planning their own trip on the river who needs some extra support. He said people can stop by their location in Pottstown for advice or maps of the river. More information about Take It Outdoors is available at takeitoutdoorsadventures.com.
Use an interactive map of the river
Schuylkill River Greenways recently
launched a new online interactive map of the Schuylkill River on their website at schuylkillriver.org/trailpress/schuylkillriver. People can use the mobilefriendly map to plan their paddle on the Schuylkill River by selecting a starting point and destination point.
Brian Swisher, a member of the Keystone Canoe Club and avid Schuylkill River paddler, was part of the team that designed the interactive map.
“You can choose your own itinerary, or you can choose one of the pre-planned itineraries that were determined to be popular trips,” Swisher said.
He said the pre-planned trips are great for beginners who want to venture out on the river. The map makes users aware of any known hazards along their route so they can plan accordingly. People who don’t want to figure out how to shuttle themselves and their gear back up to the starting point can do one of the “Out & Back” trips listed on the map.
“I like to call these shuttlefree trips. You can literally go out and come back to the same spot,” Swisher said.
He said the paddling routes are in a loop and typically on sections with still water such as behind dams.
“It gives a paddler a chance to get on the river where the water is not as fast,” Swisher said.
“The group as a whole has such a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. If you’ve never paddled before or if you’re nervous about getting on a river, it’s one of the best ways to learn.”
Use a schuylkill river paddler’s guide
The interactive map was created to be an online version of a guidebook titled “A Paddler’s Guide to the Schuylkill River Water Trail.” Swisher helped design the printed guide which Schuylkill River Greenways produces. The waterproof guide includes maps for each section of the river that can be taken on a paddling trip.
“It just makes the whole experience better because there’s a lot of really helpful information,” Swisher said.
The printed paddler’s guide is more comprehensive than the online map as it includes information about the Schuylkill River Watershed, regional wildlife and safety tips. The printed guide is available for purchase at schuylkillriver.org/heritage-area/the-river-store.
For more information about the Schuylkill River and other paddling tips, visit schuylkillriver.org.