Activity Groups
Many sports groups around the Wenatchee Valley meet regularly but are neither clubs, associations, nor formalized groups—they operate on a pick-up basis. Often one person manages an email list through which the group’s activities are announced—get your name on the list and you’re part of that group. Other groups simply meet each week at the same place and time–whoever shows up recreate together.
Wenatchee Area Groups:
El Sendero NCW. Backcountry ski or snowshoe around the area with this group. There are several group outings (some on skis, some on snowshoes) each winter that are announced coordinated through emails. Contact Gus Bekker (gus@elsendero-ncw.org, 509-667-8681) to be placed on the email list.
Larry’s List. Larry Glickfeld, an 80ish-year-old Wenatchee resident, road or mountain bikes throughout the warm season. He backcountry ski tours most winter weekends and occasionally during the work week. Any age welcome to join as long as you are ok with a slow to moderate pace and distance. Get on the email list Larry uses to announce where he’s going and how to link up (most outings are announced a few days ahead and are of intermediate pace and difficulty i.e., generally avoids steep slopes). Contact Larry at cascadexpr@aol.com, 509-670-4668.
Wenatchee Mountain Bikers. A Facebook group dedicated to coordinating rides with other mountain bikers in the Wenatchee Valley as well as talking trail conditions and up to date photos on the trail. Click here to join the group https://www.facebook.com/groups/100714850266181/ .
Wenatchee Valley Kayak Chat. The purpose of this group is to connect paddlers and plan trips in and around the Wenatchee Valley. Gear is also posted on this site as well for buying or selling. See their Facebook page for more information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531325583816011/.
Rock Climbing. In the Wenatchee area, rock climbers frequent Riverfront Rock Gym in Wenatchee. This is the place to show up and meet other climbers. Coming at different times of the day/week will result in meeting different climbers. Riverfront Rock Gym has various classes for beginners or others wanting to upgrade their skills. In the Leavenworth area, Beargrass bouldering gym just opened at 122 Zelt Strasse, Leavenworth, WA 98826.
Backcountry Ski Wenatchee. This is a place for Wenatchee backcountry skiing enthusiasts to find ski partners, share beta, and generally Facebook brag about the great turns they’ve been getting. If you’re not afraid of core shots and you consider 12 inches of powder “bottomless” you’re in the right place. Find this group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1622373304733955/.
Wenatchee Area Divers. A group of scuba divers from all around the Wenatchee, WA. Meetings are held every last Monday of each month unless it is a holiday, at Abby’s Pizza in East Wenatchee. Visit this group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/122103494534253/ or at http://www.orcascubacenter.com/ for more information or to sign up for scuba instruction and gear email wenatcheedivers@gmail.com.
East Side Kiteboarders. Group of local kites with information on spots, conditions, and general stoke about the sport.
Paddling on the Columbia. Every Saturday and Sunday morning (year-around) a few members of the Wenatchee Row and Paddle Club meet at the club’s boat house near Riverfront Park at 9 a.m. to paddle for 90 minutes. Anyone (club membership not required) with some paddling experience and a boat (e.g., canoe, kayak) is welcomed. Also, each Tuesday morning, several members of the Row and Paddle Club gather for an informal paddle that is ideal for the new paddler. The group goes at a slower pace and offers tips to newcomers. Info about about the Tuesday paddling from Kim George at kgeorge50@charter.net.
Velo Club Road Touring Rides. These run most Saturdays from April through October, are usually 25 to 75 miles long (shorter distances early in the season), and often have “bail-out” options. The details about routes, distances, and meeting time/place are emailed to club members several days prior to the ride but are also available on the club’s website and Facebook page. Rides are social and use a “no drop” philosophy, meaning there is generally re-grouping at various points along the route. Refreshment stops are also often included (e.g., Anjou Bakery, Starbucks Leavenworth, etc.). Riders include a wide range of ages and abilities, and anywhere from 10 – 40 riders usually participate. Club membership is not required but is encouraged after several rides. More details at www.wenatcheevalleyvelo.com.
Velo Club Training Rides. Wednesday and Friday morning road rides. Members of Wenatchee Valley Velo leave from Riverfront Park on Fifth Street at 6.a.m. for a 90-minute spin. The rides are open to non-members who are looking to join strong cyclists on training rides. For information send an email to wenatcheevalleyvelo@yahoo.com.
Wenatchee Area Racers (WAR). A group of cyclists, mountain bikers, runners, paddlers, and Nordic skiers who train and/or compete together. In summer the group does weekly rides and/or paddles; in winter, weekly skis. Organization and communication happens through email. Contact Rocky Crocker (rocky@nwi.net, 509-679-4177)
Wenatchee Run Club. A running group meeting at 5p.m. – 7p.m. on Wednesdays at Pybus Public Market to run on the Loop. Runners of all abilities, even beginners aspiring to improve their fitness, are welcomed and will find others to connect with.
Ready, Set, Run. A women’s only running groups that meets at 8:30 Wednesdays & Saturdays at Pybus Public Market. All ages and abilities are welcome! Giveaways every morning and a free shirt after 10 runs! Stephanie Cosina is a local athlete, certified running coach, and founder of SC Coaching and Ready, Set, Run. She has coached runners of all abilities from beginners to marathoners, and she can give the extra push to reach your goal, hit that new P.R., or just simply help you run more efficiently and be a life-long runner. Contact Stephanie Cosina with any questions at info@runwithsteph.com or 669-2719 and visit the Ready, Set, Run Facebook page.
Leavenworth Groups:
‘Der’ Road Rides. From late spring to early fall, road riders meet at Der Sportsman in Leavenworth on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Riders usually divide into a faster and slower group for a 40-mile ride. Details from Der Sportsman, 509-548-5623.
Leavenworth Mountain Association (LMA) is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to foster safe, healthy, and environmentally conscious mountain recreation through the establishment of high quality educational programs and the development of community resources for youth and adults throughout the Greater Wenatchee Valley. Sports of particular interest to this group include: rock climbing, mountaineering, bouldering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and mountain walking. As of 2012, LMA was involved in organizing local events but was still operating as a non-membership, non-dues-paying group. In the future LMA does hope to build a co-op climbing gym. At that time membership (and dues) will likely be required for gym use. More at the LMA website or at their Facebook Page.
Rad Haus Rides. Most summers mountain bike rides have left from Das Rad Haus (a Leavenworth bike shop) one night a week. These rides have been oriented toward advanced riders using downhill bikes. As of 2011 the store is calling these Thursty Night Rides (Thursday 6 p.m.) “Trail or downhill. Old, young, or crippeled.” Info from Das Rad Haus, 509-548-5615.
Other Sports Groups:
The following groups aren’t truly ‘outdoor recreation’ even though they do happen outdoors. We include them, however, because there are many outdoorsy people in these groups.
Kittitas Backcountry Skiers. For trips, carpools, gear swaps, conditions and anything else relevant to those in Kittitas County earning their turns. Join the group via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1141385619231522/.
Has-Been Soccer. Year-around, pick-up soccer played Sunday afternoons (4-6 p.m. switching to 2-4 p.m. in late fall) at Wenatchee High School or, in winter, at Foothills Middle School. No-contact rules aimed at protecting older players. Contact Dan Kerr (dpath@charter.net) to get on the email list.
Wenatchee Ultimate Frisbee. A pick-up group of mixed-aged, mixed-gender, and mixed-ability enthusiasts who play Ultimate Frisbee. Check out their Facebook page for more information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/wenatcheeultimate/ or contact: Nate Woodward (ntwoodward@gmail.com / 509-670-5316).