Meeting Location: Canoeing For Kids on the west bank of the Saluda River. The location is at the end of the frontage road behind the Park and Ride at the intersection of Highway 378 and Corley Mill Road. Going west on Hwy 278 (Sunset Blvd) from Columbia. Cross I-20. Make the next right turn onto Corley Mill Road. Make an almost immediate right turn onto the I-20 frontage road, Riverchase Way and go to the end of the road. This dead ends into Riverchase Court. Turn left and go to the cul-de-sac at the end. Jay Alley's Canoeing for Kids headquarters is on the right. Enter and park on the right or wherever you see the cars parked. Click for a map.

Time:
Start eating about 6:30 PM
Meeting starts at about 7:00 PM
Arrive anytime after 6:00 PM
Picnic Over: 9:00 PM

Boating: Bring your boat and paddle any time before and after the Meeting

Bring: A covered dish. Club will provide Fried Chicken, drinks, plates, cups, napkins, trash bags, plastic ware. Chairs will be provided, but bring your camp chair to ensure comfort.

RSVP: Reply contact Lee Olson (LeeOlson@sc.rr.com) indicating how many in your party will attend. This will ensure that we have a generous supply of fried chicken and supplies. If you decided to come at the last minute, just come on ahead.

Presentation: 25th Anniversary Comments and Recognition by Rock Garick, President.

Program: Canoeing for Kids, Jay Alley

Door Prize Drawing: Local outfitters have generously donated door prizes which will be awarded based on drawing for a half ticket. Each person attending gets one ticket. You must be present when the ticket number is read in order to win.

Palmetto Paddlers History and Invitation to Past Officers
By Rock Garick

The Palmetto Paddlers Canoe & Kayak Club was formed in 1982 by whitewater paddlers that had been active in the Save Our Saluda (SOS) campaign to discourage SCE&G from building an additional dam for the generation of supplemental electric power.

The efforts from protesting the proposed dam brought a number of whitewater paddlers together. Bryan Allen and Frank Keisler are credited with being the Founders and they, along with several other paddlers began to meet as an organized paddling club. The club continued to grow and in the 90’s a series of whitewater festivals were held on the Saluda River. These festivals took advantage of the wonderful resource that we have in the Saluda River.

The club membership has grown to over 200 members in 2007, with most of them being flatwater paddling enthusiasts...but there are a few paddlers that still enjoy the frothy stuff...

In recognition of 25 years, the club is requesting that the Founders and early officers as well as paddlers should come together for a "covered dish" celebration at our Annual Picnic. The club will furnish fried chicken, soft drinks and flatware. Since you're all paddlers and campers, you know to bring your own camp chairs.

If my information about the start of the club is inaccurate, then blame the third hand information that was passed on to me by former club members.

Paddle safe,
Rock Garick, 26th Year President, Palmetto Paddlers, Inc.