Schuylkill River 'Paddler's Guide' Wins International Award

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A water trail guide designed to help paddlers on the Schuylkill River find their way around and enjoy the area's cultural and natural resources has earned acclaim from an international body in England.

“A Paddler’s Guide to the Schuylkill River Water Trail" by Brian Swisher, of Reading, was published last December.

“When we set out, a few years ago, to map and describe the Schuylkill River Water Trail and its riverside towns, history, attractions, and amenities, who would have imagined that one of the waypoints on this journey of discovery would be the northeast of England, where our work has been recognized and honored by such an esteemed body of mapmakers," Swisher said.

Judges with the British Cartographic Society bestowed the "Highly Commended" honor on Swisher's work.

"(It is) a thorough, usable guide for planning and executing a trip along the river – appeals to everyone with lots of associated information, clearly laid out, good clear photography and labels…The map meets the intended use and portrays a lot of information to plan a river trip," judges wrote.

"Paddler's Guide" is illustrated with numerous color photographs and covers about 115 miles of the Schuylkill River, stretching from Schuylkill Haven to Philadelphia. The book is $40 and available for purchase here.

Image via Schuylkill River Heritage area, left to right: Alexander J. Kent, President of the British Cartographic Society and cartographer Brian Swisher