New Year’s Day Paddling (Year 32)

Even though sunshine never popped through the clouds, and even with a breeze and temperatures in the upper twenties, there were still 85+ paddlers bringing in 2024 on the water this afternoon.

Today was the 32nd year my buddy Darrin and I welcomed in a new year by paddling somewhere. For 2024 we dipped our paddles in the cool waters of Brinker Lake at George Wyth State Park. Our unseasonably warm weather meant we had nearly the entire lake without ice - conditions that have not happened too often over the decades.

This was also the final year of Darrin and Janeen bringing the Crawdaddy Outdoors equipment to the outing. As of tomorrow, Jamie and Renee will take over ownership and operations of Crawdaddy Outdoors. I was asked several times today if this event would continue under the new ownership. My answer was that Darrin and I began this annual ritual long before Crawdaddy Outdoors and will continue past Darrin’s owning of the store. But the good news is that the new owners plan to continue joining us on January 1, so all is good.

For those wanting to paddle with us next year, mark your calendar now for January 1, 2025, beginning at 1:00PM, with the location to be announced!

Thank you to all who paddled with us. We saw familiar faces and new faces. I hope you all had fun!