Kayak, hiking group seeks outdoor enthusiasts to explore L&A this summer

A new outdoor activity group known as Naturally Outdoors in L&A is set to launch this spring, inviting people to take part in weekly hiking and kayaking adventures across the region.

Founded by Harley Cunningham, Steph Munday and Rob Plumley, the group will meet at different locations throughout L&A County on Thursdays and Saturdays. Their first planned event is a paddle on the Napanee River, meeting at the Centre Street boat launch April 28 at 6:30 p.m.

“I had wanted to start a paddle group that would meet weekly,” said Cunningham, who owns and operates Riverbank Rentals, which is set to return this spring to its Centre Street boat launch location to rent kayaks and paddleboards. “As far as the rentals, we had quite a few people that would come by as solo renters and expressed interest in having something of a meetup. That had always been in my mind because I thought it would be great to have a little paddle club, meeting weekly. When I was talking to Rob (Plumley) about it he had suggested I get in touch with one of his friends, Steph Munday. She had talked to him about wanting someone to start a hiking club but she didn’t want to be the one do it. We were both in the same boat of wishing this existed but also it seems like a lot of work for one person to try and get this all in order.”

Ultimately they decided to work together to create a mix of kayaking and hiking activities. Following their premier event on April 28 the group will alternate between hikes and paddle activities.

Their first hike is set for May 7 at Roblin’s Menzel Centennial, starting at 2 p.m. May 12 is a paddle on the Napanee River departing from King Street, May 21 a hike at Roslin’s Frink Centre, May 25 a paddle on theNapaneeRiver from Centre Street, June 4 a hike at Tamworth’s Puzzle Lake Park, June 9 a paddle on the Salmon River from Roblin, June 16 a hike at Parrott’s Bay in Amherstview and June 23 a paddle on the Napanee River from Centre Street. Each event will have its own Facebook page and it’s encouraged to let the group know if planning to attend so they can get an idea of how many people to expect. Thursday events begin at 6:30 p.m. while Saturday events begin at 2 p.m., with each one subject to the weather. More events will be announced later in the season.“It kind of an outdoor activity group and if there’s enough interest for other seasons we could incorporate snowshoeing or cross-country skiing or ice skating, things like that,” said Cunningham. “Just to try and get like-minded, active individuals who want to have an excuse to stay active.”

For those without kayaking equipment, Cunningham says they will have rental opportunities-with Riverbank Rentals offering a reduced rate for events taking place from the Centre Street boat launch.

For more on the group and its schedule, visit https://naturallyoutdoorsla.wixsite.com/naturallyoutdoorsla.