The club goes on organized white-water kayaking trips about once a month with smaller group trips happening even more frequently.
“It is a different experience than just walking around because the water is so powerful and it’s something that not everyone gets to do,” said club Vice President Daniel Stroupe. “You get to see the world in a completely different light because you are in the middle of the water.”
The club is able to prepare beginners by taking them out on the river for the necessary training.
“I came in with no experience and that wasn’t really a problem because they teach you everything you need to do,” said club Treasurer Luke Danko.
Teaching those new members is something that club President Justin Magrath prides himself in. When he first joined the club he had very little experience, but now he uses his leadership position to return the favor.
“It was great for someone to teach me the sport and now I like to give back and teach other people something I’m pretty passionate about,” Magrath said.
With any sport comes danger and risk, but in a sport like white water kayaking extra safety measures are necessary. Thankfully, no club members have suffered any serious injuries while kayaking.
“It can be dangerous, but we do take the proper safety precautions and all the proper training to make sure everyone stays safe,” Stroupe said.
Along with providing all basic training needed to participate, the kayaking club also provides new members with all gear they will need as well. Club member and senior at the University, Molly Martin believes that the kayaking club has given her an opportunity that she would not have been exposed to otherwise.
“This isn’t an opportunity that everybody has and not even one every college has,” Martin said. “Our club gives the University and the students the ability to try something totally new.”
