Intermediate Class participants (L-R): Eric Juday of ACA, Gary Cody of Martinsville Leisure Services, Karen Giles, Linda Drage, Ruth Morgan, and Sam Morgan. Not pictured: Jennifer Doss of DRBA and Bonnie Martin.
There was a frenzy of activity today in Ridgeway, as two events converged on the Smith River.
First was an ACA Intermediate Kayak Class hosted by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), Henry County Parks & Recreation, and Martinsville Leisure Services. Under the direction of ACA instructor, Eric Juday, five paddlers learned various skills such as reading the river, ferrying, eddy turns, and river safety. Eric is shown at left demonstating how using knee and thigh braces gives the paddler more control of the kayak. Soon after the kayaking class got on the river, additional boaters 
arrived- more than 30 of them for DRBA's 1st Saturday Outing. As the kayak class practiced their emergency throw-rope techniques they watched the parade of happy boaters float by.
arrived- more than 30 of them for DRBA's 1st Saturday Outing. As the kayak class practiced their emergency throw-rope techniques they watched the parade of happy boaters float by. There was plenty of room and water for everyone to enjoy their day on the Smith River! DRBA's first Saturday Outings are free and open to the public. To see details about the next outing visit http://www.danriver.org/.
Another round of Kayak Classes will be offered in June 2009. To register, contact 276-634-2545.
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Martha Smith of Martinsville (below) trys her hand at the sport of Geocaching while exploring the trails of the Gravely Nature Preserve. Three caches are located throughout the property. For more information on the sport of Geocaching, visit 
All was cool until.....
Oops -- the dog does not like water.
Jack would not get back in the kayak -- he rock hopped back to the canoe.