Paddle party
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on May 31, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Cory Keifer and his daughter Kayla, 6, wait with Kevin Hatch and his sons Preston, 5, and Harrison, 4, at White Trail Boat Ramp for an opening to put their boats into the Neuse River for a day of family fun Saturday. The Keifer and Hatch families paddled seven miles to Price's Landing Boat Ramp where they joined the other 150 participants in the this year's Cruise the Neuse.
Becky Winslow lined up her canoe at the bottom of the boat ramp, sliding half of it into the water.
She eased down into the craft and prepared herself for three hours of paddling.
Then, as she started to move off down the Neuse River, she toppled over, splashing into the water before she had even begun to paddle.
Up she came, recovering, and off she went again.
It wasn't the most graceful start, but it was part of the fun.
More than 150 people came out to Saturday's Cruise the Neuse event hosted by Goldsboro's Parks and Recreation department.
The event provided the opportunity for kayakers and canoers to take a seven-mile ride down the Neuse River, starting at White Tail Boat Ramp and ending at Price's Landing Boat Ramp.
The first Cruise the Neuse hosted less than 90 participants. This year, it took 25 minutes just to get every rider in the water.
"The event has grown each year," said Tyler Ham, Herman Park Center director. "We started out with around 90, then it jumped to 115, and now it's jumped all the way up to 150 people."
Parks and Recreation rented out 130 kayaks for the event with approximately 20 riders bringing their own canoe or kayak. Cost was $15 per person.
For Dr. Lee Adams, 89, the event provided the perfect opportunity for him to continue his already rigorous fitness regimen.
Adams works out four times per week, often doing yoga and spin classes.
He said he just could not pass up the chance to kayak down the river on a beautiful weekend day.
"I do the best I can with what I've got," he said. "It was the chance to do something physical. You know, I read something recently that said physical exercise might be even better for the brain than it is for the body, so it keeps my mind sharp."
Adams was accompanied at the event by Jimmy Person. The pair have been friends since the early 1980s.
"I've got the best help around," Adams said as Person helped him into his life jacket, making sure it was secure.
Both Person and Adams have attended the event all three years it has taken place, and have witnessed the growth of the kayak and canoe trip down the Neuse.
"It's an organized float down the Neuse River, and I probably wouldn't do it by myself," Adams said. "It's always a nice crowd."
Paddlers have come from as far away as Elizabeth City in the past, Person said, and floating down the river with a large crowd of people offers the opportunity to make new friends each year.
"You don't know any strangers when you float down the river with them," he said.
For Adams, it not only provides an extra workout for his week, but a chance to be around like-minded people in the community.
"It's also about the fellowship of people doing similar things," he said. "The people that come out to this are always so upbeat and happy, and it's nice to be part of that crowd."