Taking to the Neuse in canoes
By Joeypitchford
Published in News on August 2, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/JOEY PITCHFORD
Park ranger Eryn Staib hands Andrew Wood Jr. a canoe paddle at the parks summer canoe class Tuesday afternoon. The class went over basic paddle strokes and canoe safety.
Nine-year-old Andrew Wood Jr. summed up Cliffs of the Neuse State Park's beginner canoe class succinctly.
"We're just here for canoeing," he said with a smile.
Andrew, with his cousin Bryan Coles II, also 9, came to the class with Andrew's father, Andrew Wood Sr., and both boys' grandmother, Pamela Wood. Both of the kids are Boy Scouts, and Pamela Wood said she brought them to the class to work on their summer skills.
"It just so happens that [Cliffs of the Neuse] was offering this program, and I spotted it and it was just perfect," she said.
The two boys needed to work on a few specific strokes, most of which were covered in the class. Eryn Staib, interpretation and education ranger with Cliffs of the Neuse, said the class goes over three basic strokes and ruddering techniques used for moving the canoe around.
Staib said that the classes typically run during summer weekdays, when the park has seasonal staff to help out. Such summer programs tend to draw diverse groups of people.
"We actually get a lot of older people, retired people," she said. "Families as well."
The classes typically run between 30 and 45 minutes, Staib said. She is usually able to teach a few other skills depending on who is there.
For kids in particular, teaching them how to move and switch places on the canoe is helpful.
The group gathered in the boat house on the park's swimming lake. They clambered into their boats two-by-two, getting seated and listening to Staib's instructions.
Besides the family group, the class included Robert and Sungae Lewis, who wanted to learn more about canoeing after their daughter bought a canoe. The two had already spent some time canoeing up and down the Neuse, and were happy to get some extra practice.
"We're just excited to get out on the water," Robert Lewis said.
Bryan, for his part, decided to reserve judgment on the highlights of the program. Asked what he was excited for, he answered matter-of-factly.
"I don't know yet," he said. "I'll let you know when I get back."
As the two boys set out into the water with their family, it seemed clear they would have plenty to get excited about.