Trip, West Brandywine and Brandywine River, Class 1 Rapids and Moving Water

Paddle moving water, ripples and class 1 rapids through an orderly, peaceful, rolling and rural landscape that is graced with some beautiful homes on the last 8 miles of the West Brandywine and first 4 miles of the Brandywine river.  Participants must have basic river reading and boat control skills to paddle through class 1 rapids.  The time on the water for this 12-mile paddle is approximately 4.5 hours.  The West Brandywine is approximately 65 minutes from the Philadelphia Canoe Club.

Meet at ChesLen Preserve , 1722 Embreeville Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320.  Coordinates: 39.9375989132647, -75.72965488416828.  We will drop off the boats and leave a participant there to look over them while we shuttle our cars to the Museum.

Take Out: Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford, PA  Coordinates: 39.871560077921835, -75.59484884304297.   Make a right off Hoffmans Mill Road at the Brandywine River Museum sign into the parking lot.  Drive straight to the wood picket fence and turn right and park at the end of the lot.  At the end of the trip, we will use a vehicle left at the Museum to take drivers back to ChesLen to get their vehicles and get everybody and their boats back together.

To Go On This Trip: Click "REGISTER" and complete the registration information.  Participants must have completed an American Canoe Association (ACA) Waiver.  The ACA is updating their online waiver platform.  In the interim all participants must complete a paper waiver the morning of the trip if you did not already complete one on a 2026 trip.  You will need your ACA membership number to complete the waiver.  Individuals who are not ACA members must pay $10 cash for a 1 day event membership the morning of the trip.

Requirements: 

• Transportation of your boat and gear to the trip location.

• Wear a PFD while on the water and you should have a whistle.

• Dress appropriately for cool weather paddling.  The water temperature will be in the low 40's and the air temperature forecast is a high in the 50's with sun and clouds.  There are many online sources of information on how to dress.  Click here for a link to one such online source from Paddle Boston.  Have a set of dry clothes with you in the boat.

• Protect your toes, wear water or close-toed shoes.

Suggestions (for your comfort):

• Bring water to drink and a lunch.
• Bring a dry bag or waterproof container for your personal belongings/extra clothes.
  Have a secure place to carry your car keys.
• Have a set of dry clothes in your car if you want to change for the ride home.

Trip Updates: Will be sent Friday evening and again on Saturday morning before 7 am via email.  The reason for the Saturday morning email is rain is forecast to occur late tonight and actual water levels will be know Saturday morning.     

Questions: Contact Tom Moiani at tbmoiani@gmail.com

TRIP PARTICIPANTS RESPONSIBILITIES.pdf