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• HCKC: PLEASE READ: AGENDA FOR DEMO DAY--SOCIAL--PICNIC... TO WELCOME NEW CLUB MEMBERS

  • When
    June 07, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    GEIST PARK: 10979 FLORIDA RD. FORTVILLE IN
  • Registered
    28 registrants

  Register

  
  

  AGENDA FOR THE DAY:

  • 12N--ARRIVE, UNLOAD BOATS IN THE CIRCLE, PARK CAR, SIGN WAVER @ THE SHELTER AND CARRY BOATS TO PUT-IN; 
  • 12:30--SAFETY BOATS IN PLACE 
  • 12:45--PICK BOAT AND START THE DEMO; SAFETY BOATS WILL BE IN THE WATER
  • 12:45--3:30 (OR 3:45)--ENJOY PADDLING; SOCIALIZING AND SNACKING TIL DINNER
  • 4PM--DINNER GRILLED BRATS AND BURGERS BY VICKI, OUR CHEF
  • 5PM--CLEAN UP, PACKUP (PEOPLE CAN STAY LONGER IF DESIRED. WE HAVE THE SHELTER TIL 8PM)

  
  

  PICNIC    PADDLE    PLAY

   LET’S WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE HCKC

  DEMO DAY & PICNIC

  
  

  **SATURDAY, JUNE 7**

  12N--5PM

  GEIST PARK: 10979 FLORIDA RD. FORTVILLE IN 

  

  HCKC: DEMO DAY—SOCIAL—PICNIC

  TRY A BOAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD PADDLE

  TRY A PADDLE YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD USE

  MEET CLUB MEMBERS WHO HAPPILY WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

  ENJOY A PICNIC LUNCH/DINNER OF BRATS, BURGERS, AND SIDES

  PLEASE BRING A PITCH-IN SIDE DISH 

  (WILL CONTACT SOME MEMBERS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATE ITEMS)

  BYO NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 

  
  

  *BRING AS MANY BOATS AND PADDLES AS YOU CAN CARRY

  *MARK ALL EQUIPMENT WITH NAME AND CELL #; *BRING WHEELS

  *THE SIGN ON THE SHELTER READS: “DAVIS FRIENDS AND KAYAKERS”

  *QUESTIONS: CONTACT—marianndvs@gmail.com

  
  

  DATE: SA
  

  
  

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• UP Michigan: Marquette, Fayette & Pictured Rocks

  • Start
    June 28, 2025
  • End
    July 06, 2025
  • Location
    Fayette SP and Marquette Tourist Park Campgrounds

  HCKC 2025 Summer Upper Peninsula MI

  EVENT IS FULL, contact trip sponsor to get placed on the waiting list

  Dates: June 28 thru July 6, 2025

  Trip Sponsors: David & Susan Nord (Assisted by Linda Decker, Jim Heichelbech, and Tony Pascuzzi)

  Trip Level: Level 3+

  Join us for a week of sea kayaking on both sides of Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. We will paddle rugged Lake Superior locations in the Marquette/Munising region and then paddle in northwestern Lake Michigan near Fayette State Park along Niagara Escarpment in the area known as the Garden Peninsula. Expect to paddle along colorful sandstone cliffs with caves on Superior and white dolomite cliffs on Lake Michigan.

  Campground Locations: We will base camp out of 2 locations:

  Location	Campground	Check in	Check out	Reservations
  Marquette, MI	Tourist Park	Saturday June 28	Weds July 2	CLICK HERE
  Fayette, MI	Fayette State Park	Weds July 2	Sunday July 6	CLICK HERE

  PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED TO RESERVE THEIR OWN CAMPSITES.  Mark your calendars (sites fill up fast) - Reservations open January 2nd for both locations!

  Important Trip Info: This HCKC sponsored trip is structured as a set of four to six (4-6) day trips that will average 12-14 miles per day with one 18 mile route (weather permitting).  Each day will include a midtrip lunch stop of 30-60 minutes. Participants will drive to a different put-in location each day and unload/load boats at that location. Each day trip will start and end from that location (no shuttles). Expect drive times of about an hour if we paddle Pictured Rocks. This trip will also offer participants casual opportunities to practice surf launching & landing, paddling in wind, turning in wind, draw strokes, rudder strokes (bow & stern), bracing, edging and boat control. We hope to encourage some fun learning opportunities as we explore. Due to the weather and other factors, the itinerary will be determined each day and communicated to participants as far in advance as the forecasts reasonably allow. All day trips are subject to change to maintain kayaker safety. Participants can choose whether or not to join each day’s scheduled trip. Trip Leaders may restrict or redirect individual participants on any given day, if necessary, to maximize individual and group safety.  If the weather makes padding unreasonable, there are lots of biking and hiking opportunities nearby.

  Required Equipment:
  

  • Sea kayaks 15’ or longer with full perimeter deck lines, sealed fore and aft bulkheads and/or floatation.
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD) & whistle, spray skirt, pump, and paddle float.
  • Wetsuit and paddling jacket or dry suit.
  • VHF radio (recommended), InReach or PLB  (if you own one)
  • Extra food and water, sunscreen, insect repellent or head net, waterproof matches, headlamp, emergency blanket, first aid (especially epi-pens or required medications)

  Daily trips will be selected to minimize weather impact, but routes may include any of the physical and environmental conditions listed below:

  • Paddling locations may include open water crossings up to 2.5 miles, tour boats/recreational traffic, and limited landing opportunities due to rugged shorelines.
  • Winds up to 15 knots (17mph) and/or waves up to 2 feet, plus confused wave patterns near cliffs.

  Participants must be able to:

  • Safely exit their kayak while wearing a spray skirt and participate in an assisted rescue.
  • Maintain a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph in L3 conditions in any wind or wave direction (or accept a tow).
  • Paddle for up to 3 hours without landing. (Expect 4-7 hours of paddling each day)

  Marquette Based possible day trips (Tourist Park):

  1. Presque Isle to Little Presque Isle (13 miles)
  2. Presque Isle Black Rocks and Marquette Harbor (8-12 miles)
  3. Bay Furnace-Wood Island-west Grand Island (15 miles) 45min from Marquette
  4. Sand Point Trout Bay paddle (14 miles) 60 mins from Marquette
  5. Miners Beach to Chapel (14 miles) 75 mins from Marquette or 80 min from Fayette

  Fayette Based POSSIBLE DAY TRIPS (Fayette State Park):

  1. Spider Cave – Snail Harbor (12 miles)
  2. Sac Bay- Little Summer Island (10 miles) 15 min from Fayette
  3. Fairport to Summer to Poverty Island (18 miles) 15 min from Fayette(optional longer route)
  4. Fayette north to Garden Bluff (16 miles)
  5. Portage Bay loop on east side of the peninsula (10-12 miles)

  Registration:  Register here and e-mail David Nord  nordfamily@hotmail.com

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• Eagle Creek Triathlon Safety Boat July 19

  • When
    July 19, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Eagle Creek Park Reservoir, Indianapolis, In

  Register

  Swimming portion of the  Indy Sprint Triathlon Series.  HCKC members and guest provide safety boats for the swimmers in the 500 meter course.  Participants are there to provide assistance to swimmers, guide them on the course,  allow a place to rest or signal for extraction.  We will be on the outside of the course while city lifeguards are on the inside of the course. Meet at the Eagle Creek Park office on 56th street just northwest of the main park entrance and just before you get to the bridge over the reservoir. 

  If you're bringing a guest or another family member please register them separately.

   We must be unloaded and on the water by 7:45-50 as the swimming starts at 8am.   Instructions will be given just prior to the event.  No special skills needed.  Items which may enhance your effectiveness are whistle,  short throw line and float, extra PFD.  We are usually done by 9.  Some go to breakfast, some go paddle around, some have to go home and do chores. 

  This is an important event to HCKC as we the club is paid a $1000.00 for helping with this event.  You will get an event T-shirt for participating, please register with shirt size.  Canoe, Kayak or paddle board OK. 

   If you have questions or concerns please contact Dwayne James at dwaynesjamesa1@hotmail.com.

   Thanks for your help.

  Show details
• Cancelled-Detroit River Urban Kayaking 2025

  • Start
    July 24, 2025
  • End
    July 27, 2025
  • Location
    Detroit, MI

  Detroit River Urban Kayaking Trip July 24-27

  Sponsors: Kathy Blumer, Rob Blumer & Kathy Estes (Assisted by David & Susan Nord)

  Trip Level 3 (Coastal Kayaking)

  Join us for an urban kayaking experience on the Detroit River.  Participants will paddle international waters between Canada and the United States and can expect to see the dynamic Detroit skyline, the busy Ambassador Bridge, the nearly completed new Gordie Howe bridge, freighters and ships from many countries, factories that crowd up to the seawalls, and natural areas that are home to many types of birds.

  This HCKC sponsored trip is structured as a set of four (4) sequential day trips that will average 10-15 miles per day.  Conditions will vary each day, including open water under the bridges, sheltered canals, coves and inlets on islands of varying size, and busy shipping channels to cross.

  Due to the weather and other factors, the itinerary and sequence will be finalized closer to the trip date and is subject to change in order to maintain kayaker safety.

  Dates	Campers should plan to arrive Wednesday 7/23/25.  Day Trips are planned Thursday 7/24/25 thru Saturday 7/26/25 An optional shorter paddle may be added for Sunday 7/27/23 for those who don’t have a long travel day on Sunday.
  Experience level	Experience level:  HCKC Level 3 (Coastal Kayaking)
  Weather and water conditions	Choppy water with reflecting waves from seawalls in some spots, higher waves from freighters and powerboats, shipping channels, limited put-ins and take-outs.  Up to 2 MPH current in some spots.  In late July, air temperatures range between 70-85 degrees during the day, rain is possible, water temperature averages 70 degrees.
  Group size	Maximum 12 people (Not including trip leaders and helpers).
  Camping	Sterling State Park 2800 State Park Road Monroe, Michigan, 48162 (734) 289-2715 https://www.michigan.org/property/sterling-state-park  The only Michigan state park on Lake Erie, Sterling State Park's 1,300 acres offers great recreational opportunities including over one mile of beach, boating, shore fishing on Lake Erie and the fishing lagoons, lakefront camping, wildlife viewing and 6 miles of trails.
  Logistics	Trip participants will drive to a different put-in location each day and unload / load boats at that location. Each day trip will start and end from that location (no shuttles). Sterling State Park is the only camping option in the area, it is located 37 miles from downtown Detroit and 15 miles from Lake Erie Metropark.
  Sponsors / Co-Sponsors	Rob, Kathy and Kathy are local to the Detroit area and are experienced paddling in all of the candidate locations.  Other local paddlers have been recruited to provide history and commentary on the areas we will be paddling.
  Other trip info	This is a US-based trip, however multiple day trips will go into Canadian waters.  A passport is not required to kayak in Canadian waters, but all paddlers must carry valid US-issued government ID at all times. Entry permits are required for Sterling State Park and/or Belle Isle ($11 per day, same permit for both) and Lake Erie Metropark ($10 per day).

   Candidate day trips are:

  1. Zug Island, Ambassador Bridge, Gordie Howe International Bridge
  2. Stony Island, Crystal Cove and the Dunbar & Sullivan ship graveyard
  3. Belle Isle and Pesche Island
  4. Grosse Ile and Sugar Island
  5. Historic Detroit River canal tour (this is a trip that RKC used to do)
  6. Lower Huron River (optional for inclement weather)
  7. Maumee River in Toledo (to see the Glass City sunflower murals) - optional for inclement weather

  
  

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• WW East Race Whitewater Fest - NON - HCKC Event CANCELLED

  • When
    August 02, 2025
  • Location
    East Race, South Bend, IN
  • Registered
    5 registrants

  East Race and the City Of South Bend will be sponsoring a Whitewater Fest at East Race.  

  Details:  more to follow

  John Gates

  Show details
• Qajaq Training Camp (NON-HCKC EVENT)

  • Start
    August 21, 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    August 24, 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Frankfort, MI

  Register

  Qajaq TC is a fun and friendly event for paddlers of all skill levels and interests focusing on Greenlandic paddling, ropes, and rolls.  Founded in 2002, Qajaq TC (Training Camp) is an Official Qajaq USA event. It takes place at Camp Lookout, near Frankfort, Michigan.  There is no road access to the camp.  Our only access is by kayak or pontoon boat, making this a true full-immersion Traditional Greenland Kayaking event.  With only around sixty attendees and a very high mentor-to-student ratio, coaching is flexible and focused on helping everyone succeed, whether you have never been in a kayak before, or have decades of experience.  With the exception of youth scholarship attendees, this event is intended for adults.

   Registration opens April 1.  Click the link for more information and to register.  Qajac TC
  

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• Eagle Creek Triathlon Safety Boat August 23

  • When
    August 23, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Eagle Creek Park Reservoir, Indianapolis, In

  Register

  Swimming portion of the  Indy Sprint Triathlon Series.  HCKC members and guest provide safety boats for the swimmers in the 500 meter course.  Participants are there to provide assistance to swimmers, guide them on the course,  allow a place to rest or signal for extraction.  We will be on the outside of the course while city lifeguards are on the inside of the course. Meet at the Eagle Creek Park office on 56th street just northwest of the main park entrance and just before you get to the bridge over the reservoir. 

  If you're bringing a guest or another family member please register them separately.

   We must be unloaded and on the water by 7:45-50 as the swimming starts at 8am.   Instructions will be given just prior to the event.  No special skills needed.  Items which may enhance your effectiveness are whistle,  short throw line and float, extra PFD.  We are usually done by 9.  Some go to breakfast, some go paddle around, some have to go home and do chores. 

  This is an important event to HCKC as we the club is paid a $1000.00 for helping with this event.  You will get an event T-shirt for participating, please register with shirt size.  Canoe, Kayak or paddle board OK. 

   If you have questions or concerns please contact Dwayne James at dwaynesjamesa1@hotmail.com.

   Thanks for your help.

  Show details
• Raccoon Creek Cleanup

  • When
    August 23, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Raccoon Creak

  Register

  Raccoon Creek Clean Up

  Date: 23 August 2025

  
  

  Sponsor: John Gates 207-522-0259

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• Sleeping Bear Dunes Michigan, Aug 24-30

  • Start
    August 24, 2025
  • End
    August 30, 2025
  • Location
    Platte River Campground SBD National Lakeshore
  • Registered
    18 registrants

  SK Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore    August 24 - August 30, 2025

  Registration is currently closed. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact PHYLLIS MALPAS (phylm19@gmail.com)

  Trip Sponsor Martha Gitt (marthagitt@yahoo.com), Suzy McCain (suz13@att.net) and Phyllis Malpas (phylm19@gmail.com) 

  Trip Level L2/L3 (See Below)

  We will be camping at the Platte River Campground which is within the National Lakeshore and known to be one of the nicest National Park Campground in the country. 

  Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 35 mi. stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The 71,187 acre park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore also contains many cultural features.

  Planned trips include excursions into lake Michigan, Platte Lake, Platte river and Loon Lake. We’ll select from our “bag of trips” based on weather, as we all know “the Lake is the Boss”. For those wishing to search the area online, our probable put in locations will be the coastguard station in DH Day national Lakeshore, the Big Platte Lake DNR boat ramp, and the El Dorado boat Launch and the Platte river Beach Parking area.  For the adventurous and depending on weather, surfing could be an option. Topping things off, there are 100 miles of designated hiking trails, the paved 27 Mile Heritage Bike Trail, a ferry out to South Manitou Island and of course, the beautiful dunes and beaches.

  Required Equipment:  PFD, Sea kayaks 14’ or greater with spray skirts, fore and aft bulkheads, full perimeter deck lines, pump/paddle float and safety equipment are required. 

  Registration:   Register here and e-mail Martha Gitt (marthagitt@yahoo.com) and Phyllis Malpas (phylm19@gmail.com).

  CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS (recreation.gov): PLATTE RIVER CAMPGROUND is a highly desired and competitive campground and this is the week prior to Labor Day Weekend. Reservations open 6 months prior to the date of your first night at 10 AM sharp. 

  
  

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• Cataract Falls Full Moon Paddle

  • When
    September 06, 2025
  • Location
    Cataract Falls Full Moon Paddle Lieber State Park

  Registration is closed

  Cataract Falls Full Moon Paddle       September 6, 2025

  Trip Sponsor:  Wally Burchfield

  L1/L2

  Cunot Boat Ramp Lieber State Park 6:00pm

    Want to see the largest water falls in Indiana and paddle under the full moon? Here's your chance! This is a fun paddle and is open to most experience levels. Paddler must be able to paddle 8 miles round trip. A 10' boat or longer is suggested. These are head waters so this is a paddle rather than a float - there is no current but we will paddle at a moderate rate.  The speed of motor boats is restricted so we should not have any problems with boat wake.

      We will meet up at the Cunot boat ramp (Map) at 6PM and launch by 6:30PM.  We will paddle to the falls and take a short break there. Pit bathrooms are available at the falls. Most of the return trip will be under moonlight. We should return to the boat ramp around 11 PM.

      You are required to have a PFD, boat marker light such as a glow stick and a $5 2024 DNR non-motorized boat sticker on your boat . Boat stickers can be purchased online at http://stores.innsgifts.com/2014-state-park-permits/ or at any state park. The gate house at Lieber SRA should have them. You will pass it if you are coming from the north.  Keep in mind if ordering off the website, it'll take about a week for them to ship it to you.

  
  

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• Raccoon Creek Paddle

  • When
    October 12, 2025
  • Location
    Raccoon Creek, IN
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Raccoon Creek Paddle

  
  

  
  

  Date: 12 October 2025

  
  

  Sponsor:  John Gates 207-522-0259

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