Colleen Renderos said she loved seeing the WWI ghost ship remnants and a water snake. She reflected on her experiences after recently being awarded Master Paddler on the Virginia State Parks blog:
Virginia State Parks asked the first person to complete the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest program, which began in the spring of 2023, to talk about her experience and share lessons she learned while wandering the waters of 31 Virginia State Parks.
For completing the program, Colleen Renderos received her Master Paddler certificate on November 8, 2024 at Powhatan State Park (Chief Ranger of Visitor Services Hilda LeStrange pictured with Colleen above awarding certificate at boat launch).
Which paddling experiences were the most memorable and why?
Guided paddling in the Back Bay at False Cape State Park at sunset (favorite paddling trip):
It was fun to ride a tram that took us to a ranger-led sunset paddle. The weather was perfect and the scenery and wildlife were amazing! We saw a river otter, learned about marsh mallow flowers, and saw thousands of dragonflies, all while the sunset was beautifully reflecting off the Back Bay.
View from kayak at False Cape State Park during a guided sunset tour. Photo by Colleen Renderos.
Guided moonlit paddle at York River State Park:
It was special to go on a moonlit paddling tour down Taskinas Creek. We heard several owls, saw bats, and had a really entertaining ranger guide us.
Guided tandem kayaking at Caledon State Park at sunset:
It was a gorgeous sunset! Also, this was my first experience with a tandem kayak, which turned out to be a real test of my relationship with my husband, but we managed. We paddled to the World War I ghost ship remnants and saw water snakes. A small silver fish jumped into our kayak, which was cause for momentary panic until I could gently get it back in the water.
Note: You must go on a ranger-led tour to paddle at Caledon State Park.
During guided tour at Caledon State Park, looking at a WWI ghost ship. Photo by Colleen Renderos.
Hydro-biking on Douthat State Park’s lake:
I used a hydro-bike for the first time! It was a unique experience in a beautiful mountain setting. I definitely recommend trying one out at a park that offers rentals.
How did completing this challenge make you feel?
Accomplished! I was thrilled and also relieved that I was able to complete it before feeling too tired and/or pregnant. I had a self-imposed deadline to paddle all the parks by the end of this season just in case my life circumstances made it impossible to ever complete.
What kind of ways did you wander and paddle on the water? Were any of these new experiences for you? Did you have your own gear?
Ways I wandered or paddled on the water:
- Stand-up paddleboard: Great for calm waters and hot days. It’s lightweight and convenient to deflate and carry.
- River tube: Lazy rivers are a favorite. It’s convenient to deflate and carry.
- Hydro-bike: Inexpensive rentals at select parks offer a unique paddling experience.
- Kayak: I own the sit-on-top one-person variety, but rented tandem for the first time with a partner.
- Canoe: Rented at select parks with a partner.
Colleen Renderos hydro-biking on Douthat Lake at Douthat State Park. Photo courtesy of Colleen.
Would you recommend ranger-led tours versus self-guided paddling?
Yes! I preferred ranger-led tours [find list of tours here]. The benefits:
- It’s convenient to have equipment provided.
- I learned a lot from the rangers about the flora, fauna and history that I wouldn’t have known without them.
- I got a guided experience that made me feel more secure in these places I hadn’t paddled before.
During guided tour at False Cape State Park. Photo by Colleen Renderos.
Where were your most challenging experiences and what did you learn from it?
New River Trail State Park: This is a challenging river to paddle on for beginners and I should’ve definitely gone on a ranger-led tour.
- Lessons: Understand the level of rapids and experience necessary before getting on the water. If you’re a beginner it’s best to go on a ranger-led tour.
Seven Bends State Park: I prefer not to have to bring two cars for a river float, so we usually will walk, hike or bike to or from the launch or exit spot. At Seven Bends, we seriously underestimated how challenging that hike is. Also, the river level was low, which made it an extremely slow float trip, nearly impossible to paddle – we were scraping along the rocks and walking through the river at some points. But it was beautiful out there! I want to go back to experience it when the river is full.
- Lessons: Go paddling on rivers earlier in the season/spring, because in late summer there’s a greater chance for drought conditions, like in summer 2024. Contact the park to ask about water levels/conditions before visiting.
Natural Tunnel State Park: The ranger-led program I signed up for was the last date of the 2023 paddle season and it was cancelled due to low water levels. However, I didn’t know that before driving 6 hours out there. The only way to paddle at Natural Tunnel is through the ranger-led program. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate for the 2023 season, but I eventually got lucky with a beautiful Saturday morning in August of this year. Those who’ve been here before may be wondering where you paddle in this park. You are actually taken by shuttle to access the Clinch River, another reason why a guided tour is necessary.
- Lessons: Always check the event listings online before heading out! If they are cancelled, the park will update the listing as such. You can also call the park ahead of time to check conditions. And have a plan B activity.
On the Clinch River at Natural Tunnel State Park. Photo by Colleen Renderos.
What other tips do you have for folks taking on the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest challenge?
[Added tips from Virginia State Parks in Italics]
- Go with a buddy! Especially if you’re not going on a ranger-led program. At the very least, tell someone where you are going paddling.
- Pro-tip: Tell your contact when and where you plan to start and finish so they can contact the park if things don’t go as planned. It’s also smart to tell a ranger your plans, so they know to look out for you.
- Join the Virginia State parks Trail Quest and Paddle Quest (Facebook) Group. You can ask this group of fellow program participants for advice or consider making new friends to meet up with (at your own risk, be smart).
- Check the weather and water conditions beforehand. You can call the park for this information, as well as find resources online. You will want to know river levels like mentioned before, but in the colder months, the water temperature is also important.
- Follow the 120°F Rule: Make sure the temperature of the air + water = 120°F, and that the water temperature is at least 60°F on its own to reduce the risk of hypothermia (a wet/dry suit or thermal protection should be considered otherwise).
- Tide conditions at coastal parks: Parks like York River, Chippokes, False Cape and others are impacted by the tide, so make sure you’re going out at the right time.
- Utilize any park shuttle systems. A couple parks offer shuttles that will take you to/from your self-guided take-out/put-in areas. You have to plan ahead and know when they are running.
- Shuttles available at New River Trail, and occasionally at James River.
- Double check event listings online or call the park to ensure a program is still happening, especially if you signed up a while ago.
- Note: Be sure you have reserved your spot on ranger-led programs, most require advance notice.
- Be prepared with sunscreen and bug spray! I encountered a lot of insects, but repellent helped.
- Go to parks with rivers that fluctuate in levels earlier in the year.
- For example: Seven Bends, Shenandoah River, James River, Powhatan, Staunton River, Clinch River and Natural Tunnel.
- Take the sunset and moonlit tours, they were extra special.
- Bring a waterproof floating phone case, if you want to protect your form of communication while attempting to take pictures.
- Check the weather frequently since it can change so erratically in the summer. We had scary experiences with surprise thunder and lightning that slightly curtailed two adventures.
Taken from kayak on Hungry Mother State Park. Photo by Colleen Renderos.
Additional safety tips and information can be found here.
Inspired to get going on your Paddle Quest journey? Learn details and find out how to sign up here. You should also check out the Virginia State Parks paddling page for resources.
Special thank you to Colleen for sharing her experiences with us!
