No, this is not another beginner thread...at least not of the sort you likely are used to. Myself, although born in '77, I arguably have been paddling since '77. There are pictures with my mother on the river while pregnant and I do not remember not being in a boat. Since then I have paddled most everything in a C1 up to about 5.1 and a few 5.2's when I'm feeling froggy.

Recently though, I have started a new chapter in my paddling life. My Shiva and Stinger are still there. With Hood River relatively closeby, they likely will see action sooner than later. However, my son was born in April. We just got a rowing rig for our 13'6" Sotar and are looking to get out on what pretty much constitutes a float with. Our intent is the careful corruption of my son in much the same way I was corrupted 37 years ago.

The difficulty is my wife and I recently moved to Olympia, WA in November when she was already pregnant. We still are trying to sort out who and where to paddle. I have been out a few times creeking on the Peninsula with various people over the winter. Everybody has been outstanding to paddle with, a lot of fun and very welcoming. Now though, for the summer at least, I am shifting gears and looking to you for advice for where to go and possibly also who to go with as I drag the raft out and get my son introduced to the sport on Class I and II with possibly a low III.

Thanks for the help!

Edited by knu2xs - 14 Jun 2015 at 9:40pm

Skagit is a good one to put on the list for sure. I plan on taking my 4 year old and 2 year old son on a few over nighters this summer up there. I did a couple last year and it was a serious hit!

Way to get the brood on the water!