Kayaking Trip Gear Class at REI presented by Paddle GA Staff

SPECIAL NOTE ADDED MAY 30:  Today the GA River Network sent me an email notifying us that the correct meeting time for the class is 7:00 PM  (not 6:00 as had been posted at REI.com).

IN A NUTSHELL:  We have confirmed reservations on Monday evening, June 4th for an AOC "subgroup" of up to 10 AOC members to attend this free class.  It will be at the REI "Atlanta Store" on the I-85 southbound Access Rd between Clairmont and North Druid Hills Rd—see detailed directions below.

Many of our Atlanta Outdoor Club members may be unaware that our four Metro Atlanta REI stores offer a wide variety of FREE classes, seminars and talks on topics including basic backpacking, camping, hiking, bicycling, paddling, skiing, climbing & mountaineering—also first-hand accounts of exotic adventures and favorite wilderness destinations.  The sessions are presented by invited guest speakers who are expert in their field or by REI employees who specialize in the featured topic.

Although this class will be informative and entertaining for all who enjoy kayaking or canoeing, it will be of particular interest to those AOC paddlers who plan to join us this June 16-22 for Paddle Georgia 2012.  The class will address such topics as:

1. How to choose an appropriate style of kayak or canoe for various types of rivers, lakes, etc. and water/weather conditions,

2. What to pack and how to pack for an extended paddling trip,

3. How to protect yourself from biting insects while on paddling trips,

4. Logistics of multi-day trips such as Paddle Georgia.

Paddle Georgia is an amazing week-long odyssey in June of each year in which about 300 kayakers and canoeists from all walks of life paddle together down the chosen river and enjoy nightly camping, educational programs and entertainment at college campuses and schools along the river corridor.  Our daily paddling legs are typically 10 to 20 miles, adding up to more than 100 miles in our seven days on the river, putting in each morning at the previous day's takeout.  This year's Paddle GA 2012 will be on "GA's Amazon," the Altamaha River with our final June 22 takeout in Darien near the GA coast, 50 miles S of Savannah.

AOC TIMETABLE for SEMINAR:    Our AOC subgroup will first gather a few minutes before 7:00 PM  (NOTE CORRECTION SINCE THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST POSTED ONLINE!!)  just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another.  Please check in with me (Charlie) and so I can record your AOC participation.
  At 7:00 PM we'll find seating together in the presentation room.  This is usually the large storage room far to our right after we enter the store. There we'll the GA River Network staff and other clinic attendees.

BY THE WAY:  If you'd like to make PERSONAL RESERVATIONS  at FUTURE FREE REI CLASSES or SEMINARS for yourself and your friends & family:
You can check the offerings & availability and reserve your spot(s) as follows:
1. Go to REI.com
2. Click on "Store Locator" in the upper right corner of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3. Click on the free Class or Seminar of interest,
4. Fill in the online Reservation form and submit (may require your REI member number.  A lifetime membership is only about $20 if you'd like to join).
5. If you fail to succeed in making a formal reservation, keep in mind that walk-ins at these events are usually acceptable, but only on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.

THE REI "ATLANTA STORE" is in NE Atlanta at 1800 Northeast Expy, Atlanta, GA 30329—conveniently beside I-85 near the Clairmont Road exit. Two approach options are detailed below and you may wish to enter this "Lat/Lon" as your GPS Destination: 33.8396,-84.3212.
  The store's phone number is 404-633-6508.

FROM SPAGHETTI JUNCTION (I-85/285 Interchange NE of Atlanta) via I-85 SOUTH:
1. Going southbound on I-85, take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd" and continue straight ahead at the exit traffic light (crossing Clairmont).
2. Bear rightward along this Access Road to avoid re-entering I-85. The store is on your right about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just past the Access Road's junction with Briarwood Rd.

FROM MIDTOWN ATLANTA via I-85 NORTH:
1. Going northbound on I-85 take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd" and stay in the far left lane of the exit ramp as you near Clairmont.  This will loop you counterclockwise onto the southbound I-85 Access Road without any traffic lights.
2. Bear rightward to avoid re-entering I-85. The store is on your right about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just past the Access Road's junction with Briarwood Rd.

Free Event with Free Parking!