September 27th- 29th, 2024

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 will open September 9th

Register Here
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 $7 per person.

Cost
$10 per day for each adult covers the cost of the weekend including clinics and events. No cost for minors with signed waiver. Any current member of the American Canoe Association (ACA) will receive a $5 rebate per day. Must show current American Canoe Association membership card at gate to receive rebate.

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.

Rendezvous Schedule

Friday September 27th:

No Special Release

• 4pm: Check in Begins

• 5-7pm: CPR Certification Class

• 7pm: Pizza Party

• 7-8pm: Stream Gauges: How to Read Them and Love Them, Joey Fleming- USGS

Saturday September 28th:

Special Release: 7am-7pm

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

• 8am: Check in Booth opens

• 9-12pm- Intro to SUP- Neil Morris

  9-12pm- Intro to Kayaking- Elene Murray

  10-12pm- Ferrying for Kayaking- Joe Goodwin

  10-12pm- Surfing a Kayak- Ryan Cloud

• 1-3pm- Intro to Whitewater Canoeing- Chris Handley, T Yamashita

  1-3pm- Intro to Whitewater Kayaking- Ryan Cloud

  1-3pm- Rowing in Current- Cate Handley

  2-4pm- Kayak Rolling- Byron Eubanks, Austin Bray

• 4-6pm: Swift Water Rescue Rodeo

• 8pm- 7am:

  Community campfire

  River side camping

Sunday September 29th:

Special Release 7am-3pm

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

• 10-11am: Family River Safety & Scavenger Hunt- Jenny Hawthorne, Cate Handley

• 11am-3pm: Family River Float, River’s Edge to Grigsby Ford

• 2pm:

  Camp Cleanup begins

• 5pm:

  Gates close