As paddlers, what brings us together is a shared passion for simply experiencing life afloat, whether canoeing a tranquil, ripple-free Adirondack pond at sunset or navigating a playboat through a whitewater rockgarden along the upper Delaware.
 
My adventure with the water-world began early one morning, at age six or seven, along the sandy east shore of Raquette Lake in the midst of the Adirondacks. As the sun burned through the lifting, summer fog, a beatup rowboat, carrying dad, two uncles and fishing poles, could be seen steering toward shore and our smoky campsite. Off went my sneakers and into the water I splashed, keenly demanding my turn in the open boat. I never looked back.
 
Since then, I have had the privilege to row, paddle, sail and swim, thanks to those generous souls along the way, friends and family, who gave their valued time, effort and patience to one awkward beginner. They passed along not only their technical skills, handy tips and love of the sport, but also their shared belief that staying alert, savvy and safe both on and off the water comes first because it makes sense. For them, good judgment on the water grew from
a concoction of training, shared ideas and hard-earned, water-soaked experience. These sprang from working together, interconnected, like on a line from a throw-bag, just as we are to each other and to our natural world.
 
When I first heard in 1995 that paddlers were planning a canoe club, I attended that first meeting at Finch Hollow Nature Center, signed up and have been a member ever since. Sure, a few of us were flatwater paddlers dropped in the midst of avid river-runners, but each group had much to offer the other, resulting in wondrous new trips in new regions, which is another story. Sometimes, a few members balked at some club paddling trip rules, leading to some interesting and vocal meetings. Again, another story.
 
However, learning and laughing with this crew has been a mainstay or me. So, encouraging new paddlers and former club members to sample life on the water along with like-minded folks comes as natural for me as dipping a paddle.
 
We have all noticed that drops of water, dripping from our paddles, create rippling, ever-widening circles on the water's surface. I like to think that maybe Ahwagans act like that too, and everyone, newcomers and old hands alike, are the better for it.