CHARLEMONT — Members of the LGBTQ community and their allies will paddle down the Deerfield River on Saturday in the fourth annual Pride Day on the River.
“I’m a gay and queer kayaker,” organizer Ann Gillard said, beginning to describe her inspiration for starting the event. “When I am on the river, I look around and I don’t see anyone like me. I wish there were more gay people on the river.”
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, Zoar Outdoor will host an Intro to Whitewater Clinic for LGBTQ people who are newly interested in learning about whitewater sports. Register in advance for the $101.40 clinic at kayaklesson.com/pride-day-event.
At noon, there will be a community paddle starting from the Fife Brook put-in area for new and experienced kayakers. Paddlers do not need to register for the community paddle, but they should have whitewater boating experience on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.
This event is for adults ages 18 and older, except for those joining the community paddle and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants must wear a personal flotation device and helmet when in boats or in the water.
“We can celebrate Pride Month, create a community and get more LBGTQ+ people on the river with this event,” Gillard said. “This is making a place for everyone to express themselves in the outdoors.”
At 4 p.m., Zoar Outdoor will host an after-party when kayaking concludes. There will be a raffle with donated prizes, as well as free food and non-alcoholic beverages from Wells Provisions.
In an event press release, organizers stated, “With a history of prejudice, discrimination and abuse in the outdoors, LGBTQ+ people can be hesitant to engage in new outdoor recreational activities, which contributes to the lack of diversity in the outdoors. Pride Day on the River creates an inclusive and affirming space for the queer community to explore outdoor recreation.”
Some of the event’s sponsors include the American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, Aqua Bound, Collinsville Canoe & Kayak, Immersion Research, L.L. Bean, Pyranha, Werner and Zoar Outdoor. L.L. Bean and the American Canoe Association sponsored clinic registration for four new kayakers.
“We are so thankful to all the great sponsors who provided us with swag for the raffle,” Gillard said. “The community is just really showing their support of the LGBTQ+ community and I appreciate that.”
Last year, there were 40 attendees. Gillard is expecting to see double that number during this year’s event because COVID-19 health safety restrictions have significantly lifted since then.
According to Gillard, the event has been growing ever since it began. People made stickers for the event, and she said she was surprised to see them worn by kayakers all over the river.
“They were in places I would not expect,” she said.
The noontime event happens at the same time as Franklin County Pride’s parade in downtown Greenfield, so kayakers will have to choose which Pride event they will attend. Days for whitewater kayaking depend on the timing and releases of the Deerfield River dam, so the timing of Pride Day on the River cannot be moved.
For more information about the event, email anngillard@gmail.com.
Contact Bella Levavi at
blevavi@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.