Fancy meeting you here

By Wendy Lemus, staff writer

Folks with common hobbies, shared political views or similar life circumstances are meeting all over western Wake.

Never before has it been so easy for moms with toddlers, bikers, outdoor enthusiasts and computer geeks to find each other. “Suddenly I had a lot of free time, and I was looking for groups to do things I’m interested in,” said Steve Morrill, a photometric engineer who is recently divorced. “I never in a million years thought I’d find it all in one spot.”

The “spot” Morrill refers to is Meetup.com, one of several Web sites dedicated to helping people with similar interests to find each other.

A few months ago Morrill organized a flatwater kayaking group that meets at Lake Crabtree in Morrisville and other locations. The group already has more than 100 members.

“I’m stunned” at the response so far, he said.

On a recent warm evening, five kayakers met at the launch area at Lake Crabtree for a paddle across the sun-kissed lake. Emmanuel Laford of Morrisville didn’t have to travel far to get there. Brian Dodge came a little bit farther, from Pittsboro. Dodge has also met other hiking and sailing enthusiasts through Meetup groups.

Dodge said he sees members of various groups come and go. “If they really have an interest [in the activity], they stay,” he said. The flatwater kayakers welcome and encourage beginners to join. During the summer the park rents kayaks so newcomers don’t have to have their own.

The paddling may make for sore arms at first, but it’s not hard to learn.

Beginners, or “zigzaggers” as Morrill jokingly refers to them, are easy to spot. But Morrill added that even the more experienced kayakers occasionally weave on the water. He said a trick that helps is to keep your eye on a point at the horizon and aim the boat’s bow at that.

Morrill said there are a lot of positive points about meeting new folks for a group activity. The less experienced ones can learn from those with more skills. Equipment can be shared. And with kayaking there’s plenty of time for chatting and making friends as the kayakers paddle leisurely side by side amid the grand scenery most trips offer.

Dodge wasn’t the only one in the kayak group who is a member of multiple Meetups. Dede Goodwin met her boyfriend at a contra dancing meetup. Mark Ezzell of Raleigh coordinates a handcycling group.

Morrill has joined movie and singles groups.

“Everyone I’ve met has been very nice,” he said. “I enjoy just getting out and talking to people. There are no expectations, no pressure.”

Dodge said that after his wife died in a car accident three years ago, a support Meetup for depression helped get him through a rough time.

“If you want to meet about ancient Cambodian theology,” there’s probably a group, Ezzell said.

Didn’t see that listed — yet. But there are groups for Catholics, stand-up comics, feral-cat lovers and salsa dancers, just to name a few.