March 2025 HCKC Newsletter

FROM THE SKIPPER

As Springtime approaches, I am especially looking forward to paddling with our beginning paddlers that have joined HCKC!

We have all been through the challenges of being the beginning paddler…… trying to learn new skills, figuring out the new equipment we need, wondering how to get our new vessel from the garage to the water’s edge and especially wanting to fit in with a new group of experienced paddlers.

My anxieties were many:

· What if I capsize? How embarrassing!
· What if I have the wrong equipment? Hold the paddle upside-down? Show up in the wrong clothes?
· What if I’m too slow and I hold up the whole group?
· I’m not too graceful getting in and out of my kayak. What if I fall in the water?
· What if these people don’t want to paddle with me?

The reality is that some of those things happened. But, other things happened, too.

I made new friends and found like-minded people to paddle with. I participated in local training, learning new skills and becoming more efficient and confident. I found wonderful mentors that were kind and helpful. I have been on new paddling adventures that had only been in my dreams. I found a paddling community that is passionate about safety, helping each other and having fun on the water………Thank you, HCKC!

See you on the water,

Linda Decker HCKC Skipper

COLD WATER SAFETY

Many of us are getting out on the water now. The water is still COLD! Check out this excellent article by the late Jim Sprandel that first appeared in The Hoosier Paddler (the name of our club's newsletter) in February 2011. (sorry, links in the article do not work)

COLD PADDLING

UPCOMING TRIPS

KEEP AN EYE ON OUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS THAT MAY BE ADDED AT SHORT NOTICE. THERE WILL GENERALLY ALSO BE AN EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT

CALENDAR

UPCOMING WHITEWATER TRIPS:

WW: Tennessee Plateau (class III - IV) - March 28-April 3

WW: Ocoee River or in the area - April 26-27

More information on these trips is available through the calendar. If you are unsure if these trips are suitable for you, please contact the trip sponsor.

UPCOMING CANOE & KAYAK TRIPS:

NON-HCKC April Fool's (Big Pine Creek) - April 5

Not an official HCKC trip, but a great in-state paddling opportunity. No need to register, just show up as per instructions from the calendar. And yes, Muskrat will be there no matter what the weather. Updates will be posted on HCKC website, and/or by club email.

BIG PINE

Sand Creek / Shirley Gates' Memorial Paddle - April 12

Please join us on Saturday April 12th for the annual HCKC Spring flatwater trip on Sand Creek (one of SE Indiana's premier float streams). Streams can be quite moody in this part of the state and are very water dependent. Watch for updates as the trip approaches, and please register or contact sponsor Richard Tekulve if you plan to attend.

This paddle will be in memory of Shirley Gates, longtime member of our club who contributed much to its success, serving several terms as Skipper, Yeoman, and Board member.

?? Muscatatuck (possibly also Otter Cr.) ?? - April 13??

This was originally planned to make a full weekend in the North Vernon area. Not sure if this will happen or not, watch for more info if the trip happens.

UPCOMING SEA KAYAK TRIPS:

HCKC SK 2025 Spring Trip North Carolina - April 11-18

It is likely too late to get a campsite for this trip, but if you would like to go and want to tent camp, you may be able to share a site. Contact trip sponsor.

Sea Kayak - Kiptopeke Scouting Trip - April 19-26

We will base camp at Kiptopeke State Park campground and do day paddles on Chesapeake Bay and the ocean. Bay side paddles will range from flat calm and protected to windy with 1-2' waves. Ocean side paddling will be more challenging with surf, current, tide races and the wave train. There are also plenty of islands to explore as well on the ocean side with moderate currents and tide to contend with. Check out more information from the calendar.

TRIP REPORTS

Elkhorn River, Frankfort, KY (WW)

09 March 2025

Level: 350 cfs

Weather: Sunny with temps around 60 degs

We had a wonderful day on the river with 13 boats in the water and 14 paddlers. 12 kayaks and one Phat-Cat. With the water level on the lower side the rapids become more channelized, so we were dodging rocks to stay in the main flow, but there is plenty of places to play and work on your boating skills. We did see one strainer in a rapid that was place “Lunch stop” rapid. It is a branch that got hooked up in the vines and doesn’t pose a major problem if you hit it. Just paddle around it. We did have our first swimmer for the year.

Thank you everyone for coming out and let the paddling begin, John Gates!

CK SUGAR CREEK ICE FALLS TRIP

March 16 was the date of the Sugar Creek “Ice Falls” trip, rescheduled from February 15. The creek level was too low in February but proved to be just enough Mar. 16. The creek was right around 4 ft. at launch time, and slowly rose as we paddled to 4.16 ft. This proved to be a good minimum level, as no one had to get out and wade due to shallow water. After having great weather earlier in the week, the 16^th actually felt more like February than March with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, and an off and on light drizzle occasionally mixed with snow flurries. The earlier warmer weather had melted any ice falls, but we saw bald eagles, geese, and great blue herons in their rookery. We flushed a group of 4 whitetail deer and watched as they ran a short distance and then crossed the creek. Right before trip’s end we paddled through a tricky section of downed trees that had a cable entangled with one of them. The slick steps of the take out caused one group member to lose footing and fall. He was unharmed, but unfortunately his paddle snapped in two. We had a surprising amount of official interest in our trip. We had a conservation officer stop to chat at the put in, another at the take out when we ran the shuttle, and a DNR employee stopped while transferring a boat back at the put in after the trip was over. It is good that they were concerned about unprepared people taking off in poor conditions. They seemed satisfied that we had proper gear and a plan in mind. We mentioned the entangled cable to the DNR employee.

Pictures https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5TWC, thanks to Vicki T!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Swiftwater Rescue Class L2-L4 May 10-11

This class is currently full, unless an additional instructor is added. Great moving water safety class. There may be an additional session later in the year.

Kayaking Skills Clinic May 17 and July 12

Classes are held at Eagle Creek Reservoir and focus on paddling strokes and safety information. Very good opportunities to improve your skills. Beginning and intermediate classes. There may possibly be an August session if there is enough interest.

Summit Lake Open Water Rescue and Intermediate Skills Weekend - May 30-June 1

This class is also currently full. You may be able to be placed on a waitlist, check with sponsor. Very good class for open water (lake) skills and safety.

POOL SESSIONS AT THATCHER PARK

Thatcher Park Pool 4649 W Vermont St, Indianapolis, IN 46222

HCKC Pool sessions at Thatcher are organized to allow HCKC members and guests to learn and practice paddling skills in a safe environment with other paddlers, some of which are ACA certified instructors but we all try to help each other get better and safer for when we venture out to the water!

Pool sessions are held Saturday mornings 10:00 - 12:00 through the end of March. Starting April 2, the sessions will move to Wednesday evenings 7:00 - 9:00

Participants must sign in each session and pay $10.00 per individual or $15 per family per session to cover pool rental.

Please check out more information on the website.

POOL SESSIONS

NEW MEMBERSHIP

We welcome our new HCKC members. We hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities you have as a member!

New Members 2/24 - 3/9

· Joshua W
· Jama D

· Wade D
· David M

· TJ B
· Vaughn S

Get the Wild Apricot App

If you want to quickly look at HCKC Events that are scheduled, trip details, who is registered for the trip, find HCKC members or update your profile, this App is a handy tool to add to your mobile device.

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