Flatwater Group

The Flatwater Committee of the Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club runs several flatwater paddling trips during the warmer season. Most beginners are welcome on flatwater trips.

These trips generally involve paddling on calmer water, although some wind and current is usually encountered. If you have some paddling experience and feel comfortable in and have basic skills getting into/out of, turning and controlling a canoe/kayak, you can get involved in our activities by simply watching the the Narragansett Chapter AMC Gansett Gazette or this web site for future trips and getting in touch with the leader. It is helpful to have your own boat and equipment, however, even if you don't, in some cases it may be possible to get put in touch with a more experienced person who has a canoe and needs a partner. The chapter also has recreational kayaks available to rent. If you have never been in a canoe/kayak before, it is probably best that you try our basic instruction workshop (usually held in the Spring or Summer) before attempting a trip. Trips involving faster currents are sometimes referred to as "Quickwater" and generally require more experience. Canoes, sea kayaks and kiwis are all welcome on most flatwater trips, subject to leader's judgment. For more info, contact the trip leader, or the Chapter flatwater subchair Linda Pease

The overall AMC Leadership Requirements and Guidelines will apply to all our leaders.
Members should do two co-leads and one lead with another leader.
Leaders should know one rescue technique, preferably two. If they can't do a self rescue, they need to at least be able to do an assisted rescue in their first year. In their second year, they should work on learning their self rescue, or preferably two rescues.
If offered, the co-leaders and leaders should attend training if offered on a yearly basis.