Philadelphia Canoe Club

I just went on a Thursday evening kayaking on the river by the canoe club. I am a non member and everyone was very helpful getting me comfy and setup for the water. They provided a comfy kayak and vest. I will Def be going again and possibly joining. Got to meet new people and it was an absolute blast. 2 hours on the water was just the right amount of time. Check out events on their website calander. Thank you again for a great time

The community is laid back and welcoming. The instructors are calm and kind, while gently pushing you to improve and gain confidence on the water. I always feel like safety is prioritized, and I am always learning with these folks! The classes are posted on their website calendar - canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding on both flatwater and whitewater. Give it a try!

Make sure you don’t try going on a trip with them if you’re “overweight” as an instructor put it, and make sure you can 100% get in and out of the boat in the water all on your own. And make sure you never had anything replaced in your body before. Make sure you’re not old or poc or disabled in any way or they will tell you “this course isn’t for you.” I’ve been there: it’s mostly well-off middle aged “liberal” white folk. So if you fit that category, it’ll be great for you! Otherwise don’t try or you’ll regret it. Edit: My response to your reply: Absolutely no responsibility was taken in this response and anyone with any knowledge of oppression and reconciliation will be able to see that. This was an ablest and fatphobic action. You did not see my partner “display” nor “demonstrate” anything because you never met her. She filled out an online form that included her weight and that because of her knee replacement, she would need someone to hold the boat when she gets in and out of it. She also jokingly said in the blank space under “fitness” that she “could kayak but not run a marathon.” That is the full extent of what you knew about her and you said she could not be a part of that class. Not one question was asked of her ability when she received a call telling her she is overweight and therefore this class was not a good fit for her. I talked to the instructor following that who said to me “didn’t she say she was 290something?” I asked if that was over the weight capacity for the kayak to which he responded that it was not. He then said “he wants to make sure everyone in the class has a good time” and that “this kind of thing has created problems for him in the past”. Hiding behind “safety” does not negate the clear bias and discrimination you did display. This instructor also told me that he “discussed it with other instructors at the club who agreed with his decision,” meaning this is not a problem of just “one bad instructor” but the general culture of your organization which is further exhibited in your response to my review. I, of course, declined your incentive of a personal class offering that only came in response to my Google review. We have no interest in patronizing your establishment considering our foul experience.We also were only refunded our money after multiple requests. I do hope your organization can recognize and overcome its bias and discrimination practices altering its culture and becoming a welcoming space for all. My partner has the following to say: “Maybe they were right and this class wasn’t for me. The problem was in how they came to that conclusion and how it was shared. It wasn’t until scrambling after the Google review that someone communicated with me what the class would entail. If they would have told me that initially and asked if I felt capable of doing that, it would have been a different story all together. They decided I couldn’t do it based on a number on a piece of paper.“

Really wonderful experience at the Philadelphia Canoe Club’s introduction to whitewater kayaking course. The instructors Manny and Judy were not only incredibly knowledgeable, they were also patient and funny and challenged you out of your comfort zone. I always felt safe and knew that the instructors really cared about their students learn and progress. I hope to be able to participate in future paddling nights and trips as I learn and improve.

I grew up coming to the PCC. My mom was a member in the late 90s into the 2000s and the members always welcomed me as a small child. From days on the river to the potluck dinners - this place became a staple in my childhood.