Group Paddle Sessions for 2017 Paddling Season Are Set
We are starting up our San Rafael Tuesday & Sunday Morning Group paddles. The Group paddles are not designed for first time paddlers. They are however great for second time paddlers and everyone else.
While many of the area’s top paddlers do frequent our group paddling sessions the day is designed to work for everyone just trying to squeeze a paddle in before work, or family activities, take over the day.
Here’s how it works. On Tuesday & Sunday morning’s the shop will be soft-opened at 7am for anyone who wants to come paddle. You can bring all your own gear and It’s no charge to paddle. If you need to rent a board the cost is $30+tax for unlimited paddling time on one of our premium boards with a premium racing paddle. We keep a tight schedule so please make sure to check out all the details below.
We welcome paddlers on all type of craft. Outrigger Canoes, Stand Up Paddleboards, Prone Paddleboards, Surf Ski’s, or kayaks of all types. If you got it – bring it. Please make sure to bring leashes and life jackets as they are required.
We arrive at the shop 7:00 am and can start to get people on the water who want to paddle right away by 7:15am. You do not need to paddle with the group if you just want to get your own paddle on.
At 7:30am we close the shop until 9am. if you need to leave early no problem. Just do not leave anything in the shop and you can simply leave our gear the dock and head off on your day when you are done. There is no RSVP required to attend. Just check the calendar to make sure the day is on and then show up on time.
At 7:30am we leave the dock. The shop is closed. A group of paddlers will leave together and paddle the first mile of the canal as a group warm up. The faster paddlers are doing drills and training while newer paddlers are just paddling as best they can to get their workout on. Newer paddlers will get to see tips and techniques of some of the areas better paddlers in a fun inclusive environment. While it’s not a lesson you are sure to learn lots of things simply by being around this group. Last year we paddled with some of the worlds best paddlers including Connor Baxter, Zane Schweitzer, Jeff Clark, Jen Fuller, Dave Hook. Inga Rademacher and more. You never know who will show up.
Again, we stress that we run this on time. With that said at 7:30 there will be no one at the shop to help you get on the water. After covering the first mile together bands of paddlers will break off and do their own thing. Some pushing it very hard others just leisure paddling at their own pace. We then try to regroup at the mouth of the canal at about 8:30-8:45 where we return as a group. Most of the times we try to go around the islands, up to the Rod and Gun Pier, or we do buoy turning drills on the pilings that line San Rafael Bay.
These days are about being on the water but also about getting fit and pushing your padding skills to grow. Most of the paddlers are working hard at either getting healthy and/or increasing their paddling levels.
We may not be going every week due to schedule conflicts. Weather can also cancel these events so it is important you always check the 101 Surf Sports calendar the day before the event. Calendar entries will be updated by 3pm the day prior with any changes. We often paddle in the rain so don’t assume we are not paddling. It’s really only high winds that can stop us from going out.
If you store your paddleboard or kayak here we will be happy to have it out and ready for you just simply notify the shop the day before.
On select Friday Mornings we will be taking our paddle show on the road and tackling different locations, like San Francisco’s Crissy Field (pictured below). For more information on these Friday events please consult our calendar. These are geared towards more advanced paddlers who are looking for a bit more adventure but don’t want to tackle it alone.
Our first Sunday Session will be Sunday January 29th with our first Tuesday session on January 31st.
Our first two Crissy dates are Friday Feb 10th and Friday Feb 24th.
