Kayaking on the Trinity River with the First Family of DFW Paddling

By Nicholas Olivier, communications intern

It’s easy to miss but there are three kayak chutes on the Trinity River at Trinity Park. Cut into the dams, the chutes offer kayakers a whitewater experience in the middle of Fort Worth. It also extends the section of the river in which kayakers and canoeists can paddle around. This stretch of the Trinity River is the site of the Streams and Valleys Kayak Clinics. Occurring once a month from June to September, the clinics provide anyone the opportunity to get on the water and paddle about. The next one is this Saturday, July 16, 9am-12pm.

The clinics are taught by Dave Holl, an American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructor. Dave is the authority on paddlesports in Dallas-Fort Worth. Ten years ago, he retired from accounting and began to work full-time as a kayak instructor and retailer through KayakInstruct.com. He’s a licensed distributor of Jackson Kayaks, selling both recreational and high-end boats. His family is based in Rowlett, but the Holls can be found hauling dozens of kayaks at a time across the metroplex to different camps and clinics. As a member of the ACA Board of Directors, Dave is bidding for Dallas-Fort Worth to host the 2015 Paddlesports Conference.

I was able to paddle around with Dave and his two daughters, who are also experienced kayakers. We hopped in our kayaks and took to the water. Dave soon asked if I wanted to try exiting the kayak underwater to practice basic kayak safety. The thought of voluntarily flipping over and plunging into the Trinity did not exactly appeal to me, although Dave assured me that it was refreshing. Turns out he was right. To back up his statement, Dave and his eldest daughter raced each other to see who could roll over in their kayaks fastest.

Click HERE to learn more about the Streams and Valleys Kayak Clinics. The final three clinics of the year take place on July 16, August 20 and September 18. Visit KayakInstruct.com to inquire about kayak rental, purchase and lessons.

Click HERE to view photos of my paddle down the Trinity. Click HERE to view videos of Dave and his daughters executing more advanced kayak maneuvers.

Do you plan on attending one of the remaining Kayak Clinics? Have you ever paddled around on the Trinity River? Do you think you could successfully roll over in a kayak?