Great Outdoor Blog

Tue, Oct 13 • 6:30 – 8pm
Gourmet Cooking in the Backcountry with Mike and Amanda
Come join us in an interactive cooking session to spice up your dining in the field
FREE • Call 704.523.1089 to sign-up

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 – 8pm
Backpacking 101
Learn how to plan, prepare and, pack for your next adventure in the woods
Tips on where to go, gear needed, and packing secrets from an expert
FREE • Call 704.523.1089 to sign-up

Clinics will be held at GOPC Park Road Shopping Center

Also check out Kayak Roll Sessions in Charlotte

Learn to tie seven traditional patterns that will give you a great start to a lifetime of tying.

The tips and techniques learned can be applied to virtually every pattern made. The class will be broken up into four 1.5 hr sessions. Space is limited to ensure a more personalized learning experience. Stop by or call the Raleigh shop to register (payment required to hold your spot).

• Admission: $100 (Four class series)
• Limit: 6 tiers
• All materials & hooks provided
• Vises & materials provided  or bring your own vise
• Learn 7 proven traditional flies
• New Tips & Techniques

When: Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19 & 26 • 6:30-8pm

Where: Cameron Village • 2017 Cameron St • 919.833.1741

>> Also check out our Fly Fishing Classes this Fall

by Gwen Crabtree

I’m up in Delaware for a short while and found some time this weekend to head to the coast for a kayak lesson and short trip. For the amount of water here I was surprised at the lack of outfitters, but after a bit of searching I settled on Coastal Kayak and signed up for a Bracing and Edging class. The folks there were super nice and very accomodating since I didn’t have any of my gear with me. I even had the privilege of taking the lesson with Mitch, the owner of Coastal Kayak. If anyone is in the area and wants a place to rent or take instruction from, I would highly recommend these folks.

After getting our gear together, we loaded up and went to an area that was a bit less windy. Our location for the morning was the Little Assawoman Bay on the Delaware coast. After a bit of stretching and on-shore instruction, Mitch took us out into some of the tidal creeks to show us the finer points of edging and bracing sea kayaks. I already had some practice with these techniques, but Mitch did a great job of expanding my knowledge and cleaning up some of the bad habits I had started to form. After the lesson was over, I thought we were simply going to load up the boats and head back to the shop, but Mitch generously offered to let us paddle back. He was even surprised when we showed back as quick as we did. This was a great offer considering we only paid $50 for the 2 hour lesson and this included all the gear.

Gwen demonstrates a kayaking bow rescue at our INDOC Session. Apologies for the poor sound quality.

Wenonah manufactures some of the finest paddling Canoes on the market and Current Designs makes Touring Kayaks world renowned for their efficiency, handling characteristics and build quality. The Afternoon Boat Demo on Thursday, June 4th will be the ideal time to test paddle a model from one of these manufacturers.

Please contact our Raleigh shop at 919-833-1741 to request a particular model. Be sure to leave your name and number so we can verify your request after checking our available demo inventory and with our manufacturer representative.

Bonus: Free Instructional Tips and Pointers with Robert Smith of Watersmyth Kayaking – local leaders in Touring/Coastal Kayak Instruction.

Kayak Fishing Seminar – May 30
Kure Beach Community Center – 10am

Ashley Williams will be presenting all that you need to know about this new and upcoming sport. The emphasis will be on the balancing act between fishing and kayaking. Ashley will make the process easy and very do-able for the beginners. Those folks with some experience will learn some techniques that should make the experience easier. Cost $20

Kayak Fishing “Meet and Greet” – June 27
Fort Fisher Input

A FREE, special day for you to try out what you have learned about the sport. Ashley Williams will be on hand to give pointers and help you get started. It’s a good chance to meet your fellow fisher-people and share experiences. You will need to bring a kayak and your fishing equipment. The day starts at 8:00 a.m. with a break for lunch at 12:00 noon. Lunch costs $3.00 and includes hot dogs, sodas and chips. Ashley will be
helping up until 5:00 p.m.

INFO: 910-200-6025

Meat the GOPC Kayak Fishing Team

Rich & his crew have some nice clinics scheduled for Scout Benefit Week!

• Canoeing and Kayaking Gear and Trip Ideas – Wed, May 6 @ 7:30pm
• AT Backpacking slide show – Thu, May 7 @ 7:30pm
• Philmont Gear Selection and How to Pack – Fri, May 8 @ 7:30pm
• Leave No Trace – Sat, May 9 @ 4pm

All talks will be approx 30 min with 30 min question and answer available.

Thruway Shopping Center
402 South Stratford Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27103 MAP IT
(336) 727-0906

Wednesday Night Group Paddles – Lake Brandt Watershed Park

All night group paddles help 8:30-10:30pm

Cost: $5 per person w/ private kayak / $10 Single Kayak Rental / $15 Tandem Kayak Rental
Space is Limited to 1st

Dates: May 13 – May  27 – June  10 – July  8 – July 22 - August 5 – August 19 - September  2

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Intro to Kayaking Classes – Lake Brandt Watershed Park

Topics covered

• Equipment, Safety, Car topping
• Terminology, Entering and Exiting Your Kayak
• Controlling Your Kayak, Strokes and Much More!

Cost: $25 per person

Dates: May 13 – May  27 – June  10 – July  8 – July 22 - August 5 – August 19 - September  2

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For more information please call Lake Brandt Watershed Park at: 336-373-3741 or 336-545-5333

Open to ages 13 and older Ages 13-15 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Sponsored by the Greensboro Watershed Parks

Mark your calendar for Scout Benefit Week – May 1-10, 2009

Professional representatives from MSR, Therm-A-Rest & Osprey will be providing gear clinics during Scout Week 2009.

• Tue, May 5 – Greensboro
• Wed, May 6 – Greenville
• Thu, May 7 – Raleigh-Cameron Village

TOPICS:

Leave No Trace
We understand that as more and more people head into the wilderness it’s more important than ever to minimize our impact when camping. Discussions on planning ahead and being prepared, trekking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, and minimizing campfires to reduce your impact.

Pack a Pack
Osprey Packs is coming to play games while learning what to bring, where to keep the heaviest items, how to balance the weight, and many other helpful pointers and tips.

How to Choose a Campsite
Taking a few minutes to assess the terrain can increase your potential for comfort and lower your impact on the environment. Therm-A-Rest and MSR will be there with prizes and refreshments.

Stove and Water Filtration Demonstrations
MSR and Platypus will be sharing some tips on water treatment, choosing a cooksite, and firing up the stove for a hot meal. Food, games, and prizes provided for all who participate.

Learn to tie seven traditional patterns that will give you a great start to a lifetime of tying.

The tips and techniques learned can be applied to virtually every pattern made. The class will be broken up into four 1.5 hr sessions. Space is limited to ensure a more personalized learning experience. Stop by or call the Raleigh shop to register.

• Admission: $100 (Four class series)
• Limit: 6 tiers
• All materials & hooks provided
• Vises & materials provided  or bring your own vise
• Learn 7 proven traditional flies
• New Tips & Techniques

When: March 10, 17, 24 & 31 @ 7pm

Where: Cameron Village • 2017 Cameron St • 919.833.1741