PADDLE BABES FAQ’s

We have 3 membership options to suit all kinds of Babes:

🌺 ALL-IN – $175/month
24 sessions per year (you have the flex to book up to 4/month—paddle more some months, less in others)
• Monthly payment
• 12-month commitment
• Best value for the babe who wants it all, year-round

🌊 BASIC – $105/month
1 session per month with a 12-month commitment
Great if you're new, busy, or just want a steady dose of nature

☀️ SEASONAL – $205/month
6 sessions and a 3 month commitment
Ideal for seasonal paddlers or connection in bursts

Membership includes:

• paddle sessions (1-4 per month, depending on your membership level)

• 2 monthly off-the-water members-only meetups

• seasonal marsh restoration volunteer days with SC Department of Natural Resources and Charleston Waterkeeper (optional, of course)

• VIP treatment: quarterly member merch, birthday gifts, and sweet surprises

• private Slack channel to connect + coordinate with the girls

• $100 Half Moon gift card every time you refer a friend who joins All-In

• $50 Half Moon gift card every time you refer a friend who joins Basic or Seasonally

• discounted collab events with amazing women entrepreneurs (tea ceremonies, somatic release, hormone workshops, and more)

• discounted member pricing for all our retreats (All-In Members get 15% off, Basic and Seasonal get 10% off)

• nature-rich winter meetups like sound baths, beach bonfires, nature walks, beach yoga, and more!

• PLUS, everything below

All paddle events include:

• locations and routes planned for the tides, current, and weather

• kayak or paddleboard, life vest, and equipment at every meetup

• group and individualized instruction as needed

• dry bag for your use during class

• phone dry bag for you to keep!

• supportive, welcoming community for all skill levels

You bring a reusable water bottle and your sense of adventure!

That’s great! We’re thrilled to have you join us. Our paddles are beginner friendly, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

(We’ll ask you to arrive 20 minutes early to your first paddle for instruction.)

Please read through all details before registering. Registration fees are nonrefundable, even if you miss your event(s).

After registration, members are responsible for booking their paddles. You may only attend events you've booked on the calendar. Unused credits expire at the end of your 3-month term.

There’s no refund or credit for members who do not book their events or who miss the events they've booked.

If we have to cancel a paddle for weather or wind conditions, you’ll be able to use that credit for another event on the calendar.

We explore different creeks and rivers around Charleston at a leisurely pace, typically traveling 2–3 miles, launching from different spots each month.

Sometimes we’ll plan a picnic and stop on an island, sometimes we’ll just float along the current and watch the dolphins, sometimes we hunt for fossils, and sometimes we’ll learn new skills. Expect something different every time we meet!

We have 8-12 events each month to choose from! We always meet Saturday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. We also have Friday sunrise paddles in the spring and summer. We have one Thursday evening happy hour (off-water) per month.

Our volunteer schedule is set by DNR and Charleston Waterkeeper, who meet with volunteers weekdays between 9am and 5pm.

PADDLES will have up to 10 ladies, your soon-to-be besties! Most of these are returning members, and some are new. (Members may also invite a friend one time to an event that member is attending. Some of our events may have member friends joining us.)

Paddle Babes founder Lauren will lead every paddle. She's an ACA certified kayak and SUP instructor, certified in CPR and first aid, and a 19-year veteran teacher. She has many years of experience in bringing together women in nature and community, and she believes women thrive in community and in nature, and this club is for any woman who wants to find more of herself on the water surrounded by supportive, likeminded women.

WINTER OFF-WATER EVENTS are not limited to a certain number of attendees, but they are limited to members and member friends. Lauren will lead off water events.

VOLUNTEER opportunities will be with other volunteers recruited by DNR and Charleston Waterkeeper. Lauren will attend volunteer events, but they’ll be led by other organization leaders.

We keep meeting outside! When the air temperature drops below 60°F, we shift into Winter Babes mode (usually for about 6 weeks in January and February). Winter meetups are just as magical, with adventures like nature walks, fossil hunts, beach yoga, and sound baths. These events also use session credits.

As long as your equipment is appropriate for our venues, you're welcome to bring it (with preapproval from Lauren). However, there's no discount for members who use their own equipment.