Rough Rider Alums & Friends
A small community of sea kayakers dedicated to skill-building, safety, and connection.
If you’re already comfortable in a kayak and looking to push yourself beyond flatwater paddling, we’d love to connect.
Get in TouchWho We Are
Rough Rider Alums & Friends (RR A&F) is Rochester, NY based peer-led paddling group centered around the common passion for sea kayaking and intentionally practicing the skills that enable us to safely and confidently paddle in open waters. Many of us first met through BayCreek Paddling Center, where we completed a full series of kayaking instruction and continue to return each year for their Rough Riders Masters Program.
We formed this group to stay connected outside formal instruction to keep practicing, refining, and growing together on the water.
We’re not a recreational club for casual outings. Rochester area has a number of other groups for social, recreational paddling (see FAQ section). Our focus is on building skills, self-sufficiency, and trust through shared experience for dynamic water conditions.
What We Do
Practice & Growth
Practice sea kayaking skills together—rescues, bracing, edging, towing, surf landings, and more. Support each other in growing as paddlers.
Safety & Community
Stay safety-aware and mutually accountable. Coordinate informal group paddles through our private mailing list and calendar.
This is a lightly organized but somewhat intentional community.
Who Should Join
You might be a great fit if:
- You’re comfortable paddling in flatwater and eager to grow into more dynamic water environments (waves, wind, current, longer distances)
- You’ve completed full kayak instruction at BayCreek or hold equivalent training
- You are looking to practice and grow your skills within a community of like-minded paddlers
Training Requirements
All members have completed a minimum of ACA Level 2, Paddle Canada Level 1, or BayCreek’s full instruction series. If you don’t hold any certifications but you’ve trained elsewhere and have experience with wet exits, self- and assisted rescues, and boat control techniques, you’re welcome to reach out.
How to Join
Most of us already know each other through past classes and paddling together. But we’re always excited to meet others who share our mindset.
Here’s how joining works:
Paddle as Guest
Join us a few times as a guest, typically through invitation by an existing member (or reach out via contact form below)
Get to Know Us
Get to know a few folks in the group—and let us get to know you
Join the Community
If it feels like a good mutual fit, we’ll officially add you to the group
Contact & Share Your Thoughts
Have a question? Thinking about joining? Already a member and want to share feedback?
We’d love to hear from you.
Let us know what’s working, what’s unclear, or what you’d love to see from the group.
FAQ
What’s up with the name “Rough Rider Alums & Friends”?
One challenge this group has is that the guy who created this website doesn’t have a lot of imagination. Most of our group participates in BayCreek’s annual Rough Riders Masters Program. The name reflects that origin. But we’re equally excited to welcome like-minded paddlers who trained elsewhere.
Are you affiliated with Bay Creek Paddling Center?
Nope. We’re just a bunch of paddlers who like to practice together. Bay Creek doesn’t sponsor, run, or endorse this group—they’re a business, and we’re an independent, peer-led crew. That said, BayCreek is the local shop that supports the kind of paddling we love. Many of us buy our gear there, train there, and support them as the go-to sea kayaking resource in our area.
Is this a social paddling group?
Not really. If you’re looking for casual recreational paddles, we recommend local groups like Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK-GVC) or ROCkin the Paddle Life on Facebook. Our focus is to bring together paddlers who will take the time to intentionally practice to develop their skills for rougher conditions.
Can I join if I haven’t trained at BayCreek?
Yes—as long as you’ve completed the equivalent of ACA Level 2 or Paddle Canada Level 1, or have comparable skills, drop us a line in the contact form above.
What if I don’t have prerequisite training?
We recommend starting with instruction through BayCreek. Their classes will give you the foundational skills and knowledge you need to start building confidence and prepare for more advanced paddling—and we’d love to hear from you once you’re ready.