Members and guests of all ages — including a dog named Piper — climbed into kayaks and floats — even a pink flamingo! They entered the water together at Yough River Park and then took off on a relaxing day trip to Dawson, stopping along the way for a riverside lunch.
Shouts and laughter rang out over the water as Good 2 Row headed out on what would prove to be a very good day.
“We’ll be traveling west to Dawson. It’s a five-mile trip on the Yough River. It’s a lazy river here — light-flowing and very relaxing,’’ said Tomi Kirk of Point Marion, club president, as members prepared for the trip.
Good 2 Row was organized in the Point Marion area by a group of friends in the fall of 2016 and began hosting events in spring 2017.
“We have really grown since we started our club that brings a lot of people out into nature,’’ said Kirk. “We like to teach people about our waterways, about the environment and just have a lot of fun with it.’’
“Our mission is to get families in the area out on the water and explore the natural beauty of Fayette County and the Laurel Highlands,’’ said Travis Bernard Simpson-Hunt, vice president and a former Point Marion resident who lives in Pittsburgh.
Kirk said Good 2 Row wants to “encourage people and families to get together, socialize, get out from in front of the screens and enjoy nature. There’s a lot of rich history along our waterways that people are not aware of. And it’s exciting. It’s fun. We find adventures every time we go out.’’
Instead of challenging rapids, Good 2 Row chooses relaxing trips on area waterways, such as the Cheat River and Cheat Lake. Members just need a kayak, paddle and life jacket. And if you want to try kayaking before you make a purchase, Good 2 Row has a limited number of kayaks available for people to try. They also refer people who want to rent kayaks to Mon River Rec in Point Marion.
“It’s not hard to learn. We’re willing to take someone out before they buy one,’’ said Kirk, who estimated it costs about $130 for an 8-foot starter kayak.
Jim Stoen, of Point Marion, who joined the club two years ago and enjoys the camaraderie, said, “This was new for me. I did canoeing in Boy Scouts but this was the first time for me in a kayak.’’
People do not have to swim to belong to the club but members make sure they are using life jackets and that someone who can swim is with them. Everyone participates at their own risk but the club makes a point to share safety information.
Kirk noted, “Never be on the waterways without knowing the area.’’
Good 2 Row has about 30 members, who come from throughout the area as well as West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio.
Chaza Wanamaker, a West Virginia native who now lives in Hawaii, maintains her membership in the club, commenting, “I like the fellowship. It’s good, wholesome fun and you get to meet people in the community.’’ Wanamaker brought a big, pink flamingo float to the Yough trip, saying with a smile, “Pink is my favorite color and I like to flamingle!’’
Basile Gandreaui, an exchange student from Lyon, France who invited another exchange student from Germany to the Yough outing, said of Good 2 Row, “It’s a very nice club. It’s nice to take time for yourself and friends, spending time with people doing this.’’
Good 2 Row members pay annual dues of $20, which help provide snacks for the outings. Their membership also entitles them to a discount at a local sporting goods store.
Outings take place a couple of times a month and include day trips like this summer picnic on the Yough River, a fall leaf outing and history tours – participants even schedule an event that includes a visit to FestiFall at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township in September. Some members participate in moonlight runs. Members can pick and choose events. The group is open to suggestions.
Meetings are held when needed, usually once a month in the summer, at Two Rivers Marina in Dilliner, Greene County.
Good 2 Row enjoys being part of the community. Members participated in parades in Smithfield and at the Albert Gallatin River Festival in Point Marion, both over Memorial Day weekend. They distributed water and held a fundraiser to give away a kayak, paddle and life jacket as well as a year’s club membership and T-shirt.
Good 2 Row supports area businesses, such as having their T-shirts locally made, and are beginning work to support charities. Good feelings that come from being part of the community drive the club.
For example, organizers came up with the idea for Good 2 Row because they noticed there are a lot of people on land looking at the water when they could be in it. They want to encourage people to get on the water.
“Exercise is such a big part of it,’’ said Kirk. “We encourage people to get out on the water as an excellent way of doing exercise.’’
“I grew up boating and swimming on the water,’’ said Simpson-Hunt, who noted his family had a farm in the Point Marion area and has kayaked in different parts of the world.
Simpson-Hunt and his husband, Stephen Simpson-Hunt, are both members of Good 2 Row as are their sons Michael, 6, and Parker, 5.
Stephen likes the club for many reasons: “getting outdoors, cooling off on a hot day and getting a little exercise. And being with friends and family.’’
Travis commented, “Just getting into a kayak or float is very relaxing.’’