Arkansas Canoe Club

Rendezvous

September 26th- 28th, 2025

2115 Tanner St, Malvern, AR (previously ORBI Rentals)

This weekend long event is held every fall, organized and executed by volunteer efforts of Arkansas Canoe Club members for the greater Arkansas boating community. We invite you to participate in any part of a weekend of fun and learning. You do not have to be a member to participate, though who wouldn’t want to join this group of diverse and kooky band of champions of recreation, conservation and education of the paddling sports in Arkansas?

Registration opens September 1, 2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1485571497339?aff=oddtdtcreator


Pre-registration is encouraged, though not required, to make entrance to the event easy and quick. There is no additional charge to participate in clinics. Some clinics have a cap on the number of participants, some are land based, others will take place on the water, please take note of any gear requirements. Also note times and durations of clinics, and do not sign up for overlapping commitments.

Where to Sleep

Primitive On-Site Camping: ORBI Rentals property is private and ours for the weekend. Set up your camp anywhere within the property bounds. The further away from the pavilion area, the quieter, generally. There is room to spread out and drive your car to your preferred site. There is no electricity available for campsites. Port-a-lets and handwashing stations will be available for the weekend. THERE IS ONLY ONE SHOWER ON SITE. Plan accordingly. Please no RVs or large campers at this site.

Not-So-Primitive Camping: Lake Catherine State Park, 30 minutes away has reservable sites with full hook-ups.

Not Camping: This venue is very near the bustling town of Malvern, and several hotel options are within 5 minutes of the festivities.


Meals:  The River Valley Chapter will serve breakfast both Saturday and Sunday mornings starting at 7am. Meal cost is $8 per person cash.


Cost
$12 per day or $20 for the weekend for each adult covers the cost of the weekend including clinics and events. No cost for minors with signed waiver.

Other Stuff to Know

We want you to stay at Rendezvous all weekend, but if that's not in the cards there's plenty of fun to be had on Saturday. Adult beverages are welcome. Rude behavior is not. Well behaved four legged family members are welcome too. Please observe all park regulations which essentially amount to not being a jerk.

We will also have a gear and boat sale area. Please label clearly with price and phone number to sale or swap.

Rendezvous Schedule

Friday September 26th:

No Special Release

  • 4pm: Check in Begins

  • 4-6pm: CPR Certification

    Back by popular demand, CPR Certification by Safety before Skill Swim School, 4-6pm on Friday. All club members will be reimbursed for the class fee upon completion. 24 spots available. Must sign up through the Swim School.

    https://safetybeforeskill.pike13.com/courses/259583

  • 6 pm: Paddleboard Boxing

  • Dinner on your own

Saturday September 27th:

Special Release: 7am-7pm

  • 7-9am: Pancake Breakfast - Karen and Dennis Buccella $8

  • 8am: Check in opens

Morning clinics:

  • 9am: Gordon Kumpuris talks about Rain, Runoff and River Gauges: Ozark and Ouachita waters unlocked.

  • 9am-12pm: Debbie Shepherd Kayaking Back to Basics: Refresh or learn skills with this strokes and concepts clinic.

  • 9am-12pm: Ryan Cloud and Shatha Alanssari: River Safety and Intro into Kayaking

  • 9-11am: Neil Morris: Intro into Paddleboard Basics at Orbi

  • 9-11am: Rob Moody Craft Based Rescue Skills at Orbi

  • 9am-12pm: Elene Murray: Intro into Downriver Kayaking. Develop skills and confidence to safely enjoy boating.

  • 10am: John Fletcher: How not to die on the river.

  • 10-11am: Cate Handley: Land based Raft Set up and things you need to know at Orbi.

  • 10-12pm: Chris Handley: Whitewater Canoe Basics at the ledge

  • 11-12pm: Byron Eubanks: Outfitting your boat at Orbi

Afternoon Clinics

  • 1-3pm: Robert Duggins: Swiftwater Swimming and other swiftwater safety highlights.

  • 1-3pm: Jeremy Diggins: Whitewater Kayak, will work on ferries, attainment and surfing. Must have basic kayak skills already and be able to roll.

  • 1-3pm: Ryan Cloud and Shatha Alanssari: Intermediate Kayaking and Rolling Clinic

  • 1-3pm: Cate Handley: Take a spin at the ledge in a raft. Cate will be on hand for tips and advice.

  • 4-6pm: Rendezvous Roll Off Competition There will be 3 categories to compete in.

  • 7pm: Pizza Party and Music

  • 8pm- 7am:

    Community campfire

    River side camping

Sunday September 29th:

Special Release TBA 7am-3pm

  • 7am-9am: French Toast Breakfast - Karen and Dennis Buccella $8

  • 9am: Gordon Kumpuris talks about Bucket List Boating: Where to paddle outside of Arkansas

  • 10-11am: Family River Safety Jenny Hawthorne and Cate Handley

  • 11am-3pm: Family River Float from Remmel Dam to Orbi

  • 2pm:

    Camp Cleanup begins

  • 5pm:

    Gates close