Before there was Meetup, before there were symposia, paddlers found one another through local paddling clubs. Early on, these clubs got together to build their own boats, sew their own skirts and teach one another to roll. They organized day outings and trips to distant rivers. For new paddlers, clubs offered opportunities to get a safe start in the sport.

Lest this sound too idyllic, we’ll note that clubs also provided an alternative for people who didn’t want to pay to work with a trained coach. But some clubs included coaches or worked with coaches, providing another avenue for paddler development. (Both of these statements are still true today.)

Which brings us to yesterday, when we could have been boatless in Bellingham. Water, water everywhere and not a kayak to paddle. So before we arrived, we contacted a local club, WAKE: Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts, to see if anyone would like to paddle with us and, oh yeah, could we borrow a couple of boats.

Eric lent us his car and two boats, making it possible for us to paddle.

Within 24 hours, club president Lori Stelter emailed us back and sent out a note to all club members introducing us. One newer member, Eric Ellingson, was unavailable to paddle but offered two boats and a car to transport them. Three other members, Ed and Bonnie Alm and Helene Zaslow, met us at Gooseberry Point. Ed had put considerable thought into where to take two out-of-town paddlers. And so we found ourselves paddling all afternoon with borrowed boats and newfound friends, once again.

We set out from Gooseberry Point toward Lummi Island.

This is one of things we love about paddlesports. Wherever we go, we find people who generously share their time and equipment as well as their knowledge about their home waters. Yesterday we saw seals, a heron and a pileated woodpecker, and learned about local environmental concerns, including a proposed coal terminal in the area. And, of course, we had a good time on the water with lovely people.

Ed paddles between rocks off Lummi Island.

Thanks, WAKE!

Helene, Bonnie and Ed set along the coast of Lummi Island.