The Lloyd Center's women-only trip out onto the Slocum River was equal parts peaceful, educational, and relaxed, just as Outreach Director Liz Moniz intended it to be.

"I enjoy the women's trip because it's a more casual trip, where we just enjoy and talk," said Moniz.

The event started with a uniquely feminine touch, as participants grabbed paddles before a quick canoeing demo.

"Black is slimming," said Aura Mauricio, as she reached for the only black paddle.

Moniz explained the different navigational techniques and lingo, with the aid of half of a canoe. Her expertise on bows, sterns, gunnels, and C-strokes was balanced by honest humor.

"I'm sitting on a float because the seat has a crack in it. If I sit, it will pinch my butt," Moniz said to the crowd.

Moniz outfitted everyone with glow sticks before leading them to the Slocum River via one of the Center's trails. The crew launched with the outgoing tide, an easy 1.5 miles to the Gaffney Road landing.

Moniz and Executive Director Rachel Stronach pointed out great blue herons, among other fish and wildlife.

"Did you see that shark?" called Moniz to two paddlers. "Just kidding. It's a blue fish probably."

Participants snacked at the landing, but not before Stronach pointed out a dead Sea Robin floating by the shore. Moniz picked it up to show, noting that it didn't smell pleasant.

Heading back for the Lloyd Center, participants paddled through a school of feeding fish. The mass sounded like splattering rain drops as their fins slammed against the surface. Above, pale yellows and oranges shrouded the setting sun, and faded into darker blues and purples as night blanketed the sky.

High winds, an opposing tide, and a rising moon met paddlers halfway through the 1.5-mile return trip, but attendees still called it a success.

"It was fun, but it was a lot of work coming back," said Melissa Costa, who along with Mauricio needed a little help overcoming the tide.

"We survived," said Costa.

"Of course we survived," answered Mauricio. "We just needed to be tugged," she laughed, thanking Moniz for helping the team.

Moniz said that's the nature of canoeing on the river. "It was pretty typical where one part of the trip was enjoyable and easy, and one part of the trip was a challenge... but not overwhelming, hopefully," she said.

Moniz said the trip is built as a beginner-friendly course on canoeing, and welcomes women who have never tried it before to the group outing.

"I think the Slocum River is beautiful, but I love sharing it with people who have never seen it before, exposing them to a scenic part of Dartmouth.

Attendee Emily Bryant enjoyed the trip's perspective. "I spend a lot of time hiking and walking around here, so the opportunity to see it from the water was unique," she said.

Moniz hosts the canoe trips monthly. Visit lloydcenter.org for more information on upcoming ventures.