Schuylkill River Greenway summer events include pedal and paddle and Paddle with Your Pup

The unofficial start of summer is upon us, and Schuylkill River Greenways has a lineup of events perfect for experienced or beginner paddlers.

The Pedal and Paddle program is a round-trip adventure, which begins and ends from the same location along the Schuylkill River/Trail. The outdoor activity includes a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail using cruisers from the free Pottstown-based bike share program.

As part of the event, people also paddle in a kayak via the Schuylkill River. Depending on the event, participants will sometimes take a guided tour, participate in an educational program, or take part in a water quality lesson within the heritage area.

Some of the excursions with a water quality focus will include more on-water time, with stops for water testing during the paddling portion, while others will take place after the paddle when participants are back on land.

The first Pedal and Paddle happens on Thursday, June 1, and features some of the best Pottstown has to offer. Meet in Riverfront Park, bike to Ganshahawney Park and then paddle back to the borough and have dinner and drinks with your group at JJ Ratigan Brewing Company. One entrée and a beverage of choice are included with registration. Additional food or beverage items may be purchased by participants.

Next, get ready to bring your four-legged friend along for the ride with Paddle with Your Pup. This is a new class offered by Take it Outdoors, the nonprofit, Pottstown-based outfitter, for you and your favorite pup.

This class will be led by TIO river guide Ray Hathcock and his sidekick Stella, a golden retriever paddling machine. With years of paddling a stand-up paddle board with Stella, Ray loves teaching others how to get on the water with their best friend. In this class, you will learn how to safely take your pup out on the water and experiment with different paddleboards and kayaks to see what works best for you.

Ray and Stella will teach and demonstrate different tricks and tips to make paddling with a pup easier and safer. Organizers will provide all the necessary equipment including boats, and portable flotation devices for you and your pup.

Future events include paddling in Valley Forge Park, an evening glow paddle in Mont Clare, and, in September, a Berks County Paddle that will end with dinner at Fork & Ale in Birdsboro.

All Pedal and Paddle events are $45 which includes all gear, guides for the trip, and meals. Registration for all events can be found on the Schuylkill River Greenways Website: https://schuylkillriver.org/programs-projects/schuylkill-river-pedal-paddles/

Paddle with a Pup registration is $39 and can be found on the Take it Outdoors website: www.takeitoutdoorsadventures.com

Schuylkill River Greenways, NHA is a non-profit organization that promotes the Schuylkill River, its watershed and the Schuylkill River Trail. Our mission is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the River and the Trail by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development in order foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.

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