Since I’ve been writing this blog, I’ve seen the perception of the L.A. River move from a concrete drainage ditch or potential new freeway path to a traditional navigable waterway and site of hopeful future parks and urban revitalization. Now it seems those perceptions are gaining even more traction, with several high profile newspapers reporting on the River’s newest activity – kayaking.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted a limited number of kayaking permits to the L.A. Conservation Corps as part of their Paddle the L.A. River program – and they sold out of those permits in about 10 minutes.

Through the end of September, the group will be leading 10 kayakers at a time down a 1.5 mile stretch of the L.A. River in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area on weekends. Although you can’t get in on any more of the inaugural trips, if you’re interested you should keep an eye on the group’s web site to see when they’ll open up some new slots … and until then, content yourself with this short video of the tour route:

That’s in L.A.? Wow.

Tags: kayaking, Los Angeles, los angeles river