CALDWELL, W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia Rivers Coalition (WV Rivers), Greenbrier River Watershed Association (GRWA), and Greenbrier Valley Pride (GVP) invite the public to join Paddle with Pride on Sunday, June 7, for a relaxed, community-centered float on the Greenbrier River.
Participants will paddle from the public access point in Caldwell to Ronceverte Island Park, followed by an after-party at The Sportsman Tavern.
The event is designed to create a welcoming and affirming space for people of all backgrounds to enjoy time on the water together. Organizers emphasize that building personal connections to rivers like the Greenbrier is a powerful way to inspire long-term stewardship and protection.
“Getting people out on the river is one of the most effective ways to protect it,” WV Rivers’ Communications Manager Maggie Stange stated. “When people feel connected to a place, they’re more likely to speak up for it.”
Event Details
Location: Greenbrier River (Caldwell to Ronceverte Island Park)
Date: Sunday, June 7.
Time: Float begins at 10 a.m. (Caldwell Boat Launch), after party at 2:30 p.m. with karaoke at The Sportsman Tavern in Ronceverte.
Registration Required: https://act.wvrivers.org/a/pride
For this event, a limited number of boats will be available for participants who need one; requests can be made during registration. Attendees bringing their own kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards are encouraged to indicate that in advance. Giveaways will also be available for registrants.
“The Greenbrier River Watershed Association is proud to collaborate with WV Rivers and Greenbrier Valley Pride, and welcome all to our first float trip,” stated GRWA Board Member Louanne Fatora. “Many people have deep, spiritual connections to this beautiful river, its history, and life-sustaining presence. We are excited to introduce new boaters to our river as well and look forward to discussions about all that we do to help protect it. Spending a day together on this river will help strengthen our bonds and bolster our advocacy for protection. We thank our volunteers and community support for this upcoming event!”
Shuttle service will be provided. Final parking and check-in details will be shared with registered participants ahead of the event.
Organizers encourage anyone interested in attending to reach out if cost is a barrier. The goal is to ensure broad participation and access.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the community together for this incredibly fun event, and we’re so grateful to partner with WV Rivers Coalition and Greenbrier River Watershed Association,” stated GVP Board President Kayla Dransfield. “This partnership is the perfect opportunity to create more inclusive spaces for our community while also advocating for the continued preservation of our lands and waterways.”
What to Bring:
Water,
Snacks or lunch,
Sunscreen or sun-protective clothing,
A change of clothes,
Any personal items needed for a comfortable day on the river.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Local businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to support Paddle with Pride through sponsorship. Sponsors will help expand access, provide gear and shuttle services, and support inclusive outdoor programming.
For sponsorship details and tier information, click here, then contact Maggie Stange at mstange@wvrivers.org to claim your sponsorship.
Event Contact: For general event questions, contact Katherine McGraw at kmcgraw@wvrivers.org.
Paddle with Pride is open to all who want to paddle, connect, and celebrate community on one of West Virginia’s most beloved rivers.
