West Branch Paddle Club
Attention paddlers—kayakers, canoeists, SUPers, and more! Grab your paddle craft and friends and join the West Branch Paddle Club (WBPC), a program focused on rewarding you for getting out on the Susquehanna Greenway and exploring the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch.
Launched in 2020, the West Branch Paddle Club is an innovative program that provides paddling resources such as maps and paddling itineraries and celebrates paddlers of all ages and ability levels for their exploration of the West Branch.
Whether you’re a day paddler, a seasoned, multi-day adventurer, or just really love the West Branch, the West Branch Paddle Club (WBPC) offers a variety of opportunities to join a community of like-minded paddlers who enjoy paddling, value the West Branch of the river, and want to give back and help grow the network.
Benefits:
- 15% discount to all SGP events
- 10% discount at the SGP store
- Annual WBPC newsletter
- Official WBPC sticker
- Access to paddling itineraries, maps, guides, and information
- Eligible to earn commemorative pins and recognition by becoming a Segment Paddler
- Join a community of like-minded West Branch enthusiasts and share stories
- Support the West Branch Susquehanna Water Trail so more people can enjoy the beauty and adventure to be found along the West Branch!
Get Involved With the WBPC
Membership
Members are paddlers, friends of the West Branch, or members of the community who want to support SGP’s ongoing projects to improve and grow the West Branch Water Trail. Members do not have to report segments and can join the club through the purchase of individual or family memberships. Members receive all benefits outlined above and have the option to report their paddles in order to work towards recognition as Segment Paddlers.
Supporter
Supporters are businesses or organizations who wish to contribute to the West Branch Water Trail and the paddlers who explore it. There are several tiers for supporters depending on your number of employees. In addition to the supporter fee, supporters are asked to provide at least one perk to paddlers of the WBPC (ex: discount to your business, vouchers, etc.). Supporters receive all club benefits and recognition as a supporter on our website and in all WBPC communications.
Segment Paddler
This tier of the West Branch Paddle Club is reserved for the intrepid paddlers of the West Branch who endeavor towards achieving our designated segments, or even the whole 228-mile trail. An applicant for Segment Paddler must first Become a Member of the WBPC. Once you’ve paddled a segment and have reported your journey to SGP’s online portal, you will be recognized for your accomplishment as a Segment Paddler on our website, in our newsletter, and will be awarded a pin for your completed segment.
FAQs
What is the West Branch Paddle Club?
The West Branch Paddle Club, or WBPC, is a program that invites paddlers of varying abilities and interests to explore the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch.
Do I have to paddle all 228 miles of the West Branch to become a member?
No! Anyone can become a member of the West Branch Paddle Club, though there are extra perks for those who have paddled segments or all of the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch. You may even purchase membership as a family or an organization.
What are the four segments that I can apply for?
Segment 1: Cherry Tree (Cherry Tree to Clearfield – 54 miles)
Segment 2: Wilds (Clearfield to Renovo – 76 miles)
Segment 3: Hyner (Renovo to Jersey Shore – 43 miles)
Segment 4: River Towns (Jersey Shore to Northumberland – 55 miles)
How do I report that I've paddled segments of the West Branch?
Those who wish report a segment or segments of the West Branch that they have paddled can fill out an application here. It will cost $10 for each section that you apply for.
Can I report segments that I've paddled in the past? Are there any date restrictions?
No, there are no date restrictions. You can report segments you just completed yesterday or 10 years ago!
What do I get if I report segments that I've paddled?
Those who report a segment or segments of the West Branch that they have paddled will receive a commemorative soft enamel pin for the corresponding segment(s) and a WBPC sticker. They will also have the option to purchase a discounted one-year membership of $15. Once you report all four segments, having completed the full 228 miles of the West Branch, you will also receive a 228 pin and a keepsake commemorating your journey.
Do I have to report all four segments at one time?
No! You can apply for one segment at a time, or as many as you’d like at one time.
How do I become a member?
Anyone can become a member of the WBPC! Paddlers who report a segment here have the option to purchase a discounted one-year membership of $15. Regular one-year membership can be purchased here for $25. Family and business memberships are also available for purchase on this page.
What are the benefits of becoming a member?
Members will receive 15% discounts on SGP events, an annual WBPC newsletter, and the knowledge that you have supported the West Branch Susquehanna Water Trail so more people can enjoy the beauty and adventure to be found along the West Branch!
Where do my membership and application fees go?
Your contributions to the WBPC go directly back to supporting the club and maintaining the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch. This includes efforts towards inventorying, maintaining, and creating new river accesses for paddlers, as well as creating new resources, such as paddling itineraries, maps, and guides.
Disclaimer
The West Branch Paddle Club (WBPC) and, by extension, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) encourages paddling on the West Branch and will provide resources and recommendations as requested, but takes no responsibility for participants as they journey out on the river. All participants take the responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether to participate on any particular water body or segment, what equipment they use, the routes they may choose to paddle, whether their skill levels and abilities are appropriate for the activity or whether climate and water conditions are appropriate for their participation. In applying for membership to the WBPC, they acknowledge that paddling, like many sports, has inherent dangers which can be minimized through education and experience, but cannot be totally eliminated. They hereby, for themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators waive any and all rights and claims for damage they may have against the WBPC, its officers, and representatives for injuries suffered by them in pursuit of WBPC activities.
