Decades ago, an Arkansas couple started a New Year's Day tradition with a few friends. Now, it’s a tradition on the water many others tag along for. The New Year Red Cider Float is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. rain or shine.
Every Jan. 1 a group of people float a few miles down the Little Maumelle River. The event is now co-hosted by the Arkansas Canoe Club and the Arkansas Watertrails Partnership, but it all started more than 20 years ago by an Arkansas couple and a few friends.
Debbie Doss and Cowper Chadbourn are committed to making sure each year begins on the water. They started New Year’s Day floats as a fun way to ring in the new year, but now it’s become much more.
“A tradition which becomes something you have to do that’s not lucky unless you do it," Doss said. “One year we had over 50 people and last year we had six because it was very cold."
They float no matter the weather conditions.
“We’ve done it where we had to drag the kayaks through snow and lower it down a cliff,” Chadbourn said. “Last year we actually had some boats that had to break ice so the boats could get through."
They begin at the west Pinnacle Mountain boat ramp, float down the Little Maumelle River, stop for a cup of red-hot cider along the way, and finally enjoy a picnic to kick off 2019.
“Floating for recreation has always been a big part of my life so it seemed that’s the way I should start every year,” Chadbourn said.
After this long, they don’t ever plan to let the tradition die.
“After a while you get sort of superstitious about it that if you don’t go you might have a bad year so we do it every year, it’s a lot of fun," Doss said.
Anyone is welcome to join the New Year's Day float but you do have to have your own kayak or canoe. Just meet the crew at the Pinnacle Mountain boat ramp at the west side parking lot at 10 a.m.