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Wandering Waters–What’s it all about

by | Jun 3, 2023 | Outdoors

 

After years of preparation, Wandering Waters (Paddle Quest) finally launches during the 2023 paddling season! The creator behind this program, Visitor Experience Specialist Sammy Zambon, has been passionately working behind the scenes to make this program possible.

Sunrise on the water at Staunton River State Park, with orange glow in the sky and on the water. A logo overlays the photo in the middle showing a silhouette of a paddler and the words WANDERING WATERS - PADDLE QUEST - VIRGINIA STATE PARKS.

Let’s get to know Sammy and find out more about this new program with a Q&A. See the questions in bold and his answers below.


a selfie of Sammy Zambon, wearing a helmet, sunglasses, life jacket and bright green shirt. He has a beard and shoulder length hair showing. In the background you can see he's on the water with greenery and a blue sky with clouds in the distance.
Meet Sammy Zambon, creator of Wandering Waters

How long have you been paddling for? And specifically, how long have you been guiding/working for Virginia State Parks?

I’ve been paddling canoes recreationally for 40 years. I’ve been a canoe and kayak guide and instructor with state parks for more than 20 years. It’s an experience I love to share.

A group of kayakers are grouped near the edge of the water, holding their paddles up in the air together, smiling. They are in yellow/orange kayaks with red life jackets. Green trees are behind them on land.
Taken by Sammy Zambon while he was leading the group Black Girls Adventure on a kayak tour.

What is the Wandering Waters program? And what was your inspiration for creating it?

Wandering Waters is our water-based counterpart to the Trail Quest program. Visitors can explore 31 Virginia State Parks through a mixture of ranger guided programs and self-led exploration either with park rental equipment or personal gear. As they experience more paddling adventures, they can log those trips and earn prizes. Wandering Waters was inspired by our Trail Quest program and my love of paddling.

What are your personal top three favorite Virginia State Parks to paddle at and why?

I still have a few parks to explore by water, but for now my top three are:

🛶 Caledon State Park: I’ve experienced so many beautiful sunsets while paddling here. Hardly a trip goes by without seeing an eagle and rarely in the fall I’ve seen bioluminescent jellyfish on moonlit trips.

Kayakers take a break during a moonlight kayak trip at Caledon State Park. A pink sky glows behind them, with red kayaks sitting on the beach, green trees on the left.
Kayakers take a break during a moonlit kayak trip at Caledon State Park.

🛶 Kiptopeke State Park: I’ve only paddled here a few times, but each has been memorable. The concrete ships that form the breakwater provide nesting areas for birds including pelicans and are an excellent area to fish from a kayak. The sunset are gorgeous.

One of the concrete ships off shore at Kiptopeke State Park, with a nest on the top and birds flying around above it.
View from a boat at Kiptopeke State Park, looking at a concrete ship in the water.

🛶 New River Trail State Park: I have paddled a couple of stretches of river here. The ledges and rocks make it more of a technical river, but the scenery is well worth it. Make sure you know how to read a river before going.

Canoeing on the New River Trail with a rock cliff in the background
Taken by Sammy Zambon while paddling on the New River, from New River Trail State Park

What do you love about being on the water?

Harmony. There is a connection between water, boat, paddle, and paddler that is very soothing. I can move a boat far more gracefully than I can walk about on a trail.

A stunning photo taken from a canoe on Bear Creek Lake at sunset, with the water still, reflecting the pink and yellow sky as fog rises from the water and a silhouette of trees goes across the middle of the photo.
Taken by Sammy Zambon while paddling at Bear Creek Lake State Park

What are the benefits for a visitor of going on a ranger led guided paddling tour versus going paddling on their own?

Experience. Our rangers have knowledge and experience to share, creating an experience you can’t get on your own. Having a ranger guide a group also provides a level of comfort for a new paddler.

A group of 17 kayakers grouped together on the water at Hungry Mother State Park, with the green mountain behind them.
A group of park staff (including Sammy Zambon on the far left) at Hungry Mother State Park during a training.

What tips do you have for new paddlers?

  1. Always wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD or life jacket).
  2. Be prepared to get wet, even the best paddler goes for an unintended swim occasionally.
  3. Ask a ranger about what to expect before you launch.
  4. Have fun! Every paddle trip is a new experience, soak it all in.

What do you hope people get out of participating in Wandering Waters?

My hope is for people to see our parks from a new perspective. Things look and feel different from the water. Most of all I hope they discover yet another way to enjoy exploring our fabulous state parks.

Inside a water tunnel at James River State Park, has canoes paddle through it.
Taken by Sammy Zambon while paddling through a tunnel at James River State Park.


We hope to see you paddling on the water at a Virginia State Park soon!

Please refer to the Wandering Waters webpage for directions on how to join our Paddle Quest and to see what rewards you can earn along the way.

PARKS

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