What we’re about

Water tribe,

The purpose of this group is to kayak in and around Loudoun. We will also organize a few trips outside of Loudoun as well. As your hosts, since late 2017 we have offered quality, fun, and interesting kayaking, and other activities. Our kayaking events are only held during warm weather. In late Fall 2019, we renamed this group from “Loudoun Kayaking” to “Loudoun Kayaking and Social” to accommodate other activities and events that we hold, particularly during winter.

We don't leave members behind on water outings. Everyone in the group gets along. Many of us have become good friends. We often observe acts of kindness such as members helping others carry, get into and out of, and load and unload kayaks and even sharing snacks. Children aged 18yrs and under must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for their safety and supervision during events. Nonmembers are welcome to participate as well. We organize shuttles between launch and arrival locations for people and kayaks, using members’ privately owned vehicles. For afternoon, evening, and weekend outings we often plan to stop into a nearby pub or restaurant and share a meal, visit, and plan further outings. We are also looking for members to help plan outings and share secrets on where to kayak.

All kayaking is at your own risk, and we will cancel events when the water/weather conditions are bad.

If there are any problems or concerns just contact our Founder - Jim Byrne, 571-455-2349, jimofpotomacfallsva@gmail.com, he can take care of them.

THIS IS NOT A DATING GROUP. IT IS ALSO NOT A KAYAK RENTAL GROUP. WE DO NOT LOAN OR BRING SPARE KAYAKS on kayaking trips. Participants in our kayaking events are expected to own or bring their own kayak/watercraft, life vest or Personal Flotation Device (PFD), paddle, helmet (for whitewater trips), and any other equipment according to their needs. We also suggest that you buy a dry bag (less than $15 to store your phone and keys in during kayaking trips).

Stand-up paddleboarders and those with inflatable, sectional Origami, or folding Oru/Tucktec kayaks are welcome to join most of our non-whitewater trips. Note that these types of kayaks tend to be slower in the water and can require more effort to paddle, making it difficult to keep up with other regular one-piece, hard shell kayak paddlers. Heavy duty inflatable boats are welcome on whitewater kayaking trips.

Most folks will be happy to share their expertise with you and answer questions about their boats and gear. They may even let you briefly try on their gear/kayaks during snack/lunch breaks. If you see one of our members wearing paddling gear or a watercraft you think might work for you, ask them if you can try it on/out. Possibly the only thing we love as much as kayaking is talking about kayaking. Kayaks and kayaking gear often represent a significant investment in personal time and money. So, please treat folks’ equipment with care and respect when handling or trying anything out.

Come join us on the water, a happy place.

By joining the Loudoun Kayaking and Social Meetup, taking a class or participating in an event, you agree to these conditions: Members/Participants Release and Waiver of Liability

1. I declare that I fully understand and voluntarily assume the following risks.

Boating on flatwater and whitewater rivers exposes me to various life threatening dangers, known and unknown, for example: boulders or other obstacles, logs, trees, sticks, branches, strainers, ledges, undercut or entrapping formations, holes and hydraulics, high water, cold conditions, wind, direct sunlight and changing conditions, mostly in remote locations.

2. Intending to be legally bound for all time, I hereby release and waive, for myself, family and heirs, any right to sue or claim against the Loudoun Kayaking and Social Meetup (the "Club"), its members, officers, trip coordinators, or any of my fellow paddlers, for any injuries to myself or my equipment which may occur during a club trip, class or activity. The release and waiver applies to any negligent act or omission and to any intentional act or omission intended to promote my safety or well-being. I understand that, generally speaking, negligence means a failure to do an act which a reasonably careful person would do, or the doing of an act which a reasonably careful person would not do, under the same or similar circumstances, to protect himself or herself, or others, from accident, injury or death.

3. I agree to be solely responsible for my own safety and to take every reasonable precaution to provide for my own safety and well-being while participating in a trip or activity sponsored or conducted by the Club. This release and waiver is given in the interest of permitting the Club to exist and to serve the paddling community, and to enable myself and my fellow paddlers to feel free to donate our services and help each other without fear of liability. My release is given in exchange for similar waivers to be granted on my behalf by other members of the Club. My waiver has no expiration date.

Parents or Guardians of Minors: I am the parent or guardian of the minor (s) listed as club members or event participants and I consent to the terms of this release and waiver on behalf of the named minor participants, and I further agree to indemnify the Club, its members, officers, instructors and trip coordinators for any claims arising from the participation of the named minor participant.