The Traverse Area Paddle Club (TAPC), renamed in 2009, was founded in 1999 as the Cherry Capital Paddle America Club. The TAPC welcomes canoeists and kayakers in northwestern lower Michigan.  We have numerous events scheduled for all levels of paddling experience.  Our outings are intended for TAPC members.  Non-members may peruse the outings calendar, but often will not be able to see the details of the specific outings, or to sign up for the trips.  If you notice an event that will be taking place while you're visiting the TC area (or you just want to try us out), contact the trip host or the Outings Coordinator.  We can often accommodate you! 

The TAPC is a local independent paddling club, and we strive to keep the cost as low as possible for members.  Currently, the cost of membership (per calendar year) is $15 for an individual, and $25 for a family.  If you join from September through December, your membership is good for the following calendar year.  After you join online and your payment is received, you may sign up for any trip.

        

Top Ten Reasons to join the TAPC    

1.  We have posted over 100 outings each year on local rivers and lakes.

2.  When an outfitter does the shuttle on a river trip, the fee is paid by the club.

3.  The website has driving directions and maps for over 40 accesses on local lakes and rivers.

4.  You will meet a friendly group of people.

5.  You’ll find out about new places to paddle.

6.  You can help with our stewardship program, participating in river cleanups.

7.  You’ll party with us at our spring season kick-off and our end-of-year dinner.

8.  You can purchase spiffy synthetic club tee shirts at bargain prices.

9.  There are lots of opportunities to improve your paddling skills.

10.  In the past few years we have offered trips to premier paddling locations in the United States.  In the spring of 2010 we spent a month in Florida, and in 2009 and 2011 we traveled to the Ozarks in southern Missouri.  

The TAPC provides an online event calendar which can be updated by any club member.  We offer several different types of outings. Trips are color coded on the event calendar to match the color print in the description below.

Small Inland Lakes  These outings are suitable for people of any skill levels and all types of canoes or kayaks.  These trips are usually only a couple of hours long, and are a great way to meet fellow paddlers.  People go to look at scenery, flowers, birds, and other wildlife, so speed is not important.        

Great Lakes  These outings usually require sea kayaks with flotation at both ends of the boat.  The trip write-up will describe the event in enough detail that you should be able to decide if the trip is within your abilities.  Contact the leader if you are not sure you have the skills or the boat suitable for the trip.

Easy Rivers  Trips on these rivers are suitable for people of all skill levels. However they may require three to six hours of paddling, so read the description carefully.  Easy rivers have a moderate current and are wide enough so that quick maneuvers are not necessary.   

Difficult Rivers  Trips on these rivers require participants to be able to stop their boats from moving downstream while in a fast current.  Paddlers must be able to turn their boats quickly while in a confined area, and  execute an upstream or downstream ferry. 
Clean-up Trips  We clean a number of local rivers on a regular basis.  It's a lot of fun, helps the environment and we find it is an excellent way to build our paddling skills.     

 Out-of-town Trips  Occasionally we organize trips that require spending multiple nights away from home.  In the past, we have traveled to Florida, southern Missouri and the Upper Peninsula, staying in cabins.  Some members have offered overnight camping trips as well.