Summer fun kicks off next Saturday when local women of all ages are invited to unite for a scenic float event on June 14 on the Buckhannon River.

Participants of West Virginia Girl Paddlers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Buckhannon Riverwalk boat launch before setting sail for a relaxing float. Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and other non-motorized watercraft are welcome to join. The float will last about two hours.

While recent weeks have brought North Central West Virginia unpredictable, often unseasonably chilly weather, the WV Girl Paddlers are laser-focused on the coming summer’s adventures in the Mountain State, including sunny days and paddle trips.

Girl Paddlers is a nationwide, community-driven platform to empower women of all ages with resources, support and sisterhood with a shared love of the water. West Virginia has its own chapter titled “WV Girl Paddlers” who are set to host this paddle.

The group aims to create an environment where women can feel comfortable, safe, and supported showing up as themselves as they explore the open waters. Girl Paddlers facilitates retreats, regional meetups, travel experiences and provides an online hub “to help women create community and thrive on the water,” according to its website.

“I stumbled across Girl Paddlers while scrolling the internet last year, and I saw that they were looking for regional moderators,” Rachel Weber, the West Virginia moderator and an avid Upshur County volunteer, said. “West Virginia didn’t have a moderator at the time, so I inquired and became West Virginia’s moderator. Last weekend was our first official float.”

Whether you’re a newbie or experienced on the water, all are welcome to every West Virginia Girl Paddlers event.

“I’m hoping to do maybe a monthly meetup now through October, depending on the weather in October in different parts of the state,” Weber said.

Interested paddlers are encouraged to follow WV Girl Paddlers on Facebook for event updates and other news. RSVP for the June 14 paddle here.