Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club upcoming events

July 4th Independence Day at the Yough (July 03, 2026)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

July 4th Weekend -Upper/Lower Yough & Savage River

SPONSOR: Elroy Shayes : 812-343-6544

CAMPING: Tall Oaks, 544 Camp Raimo Rd., Farmington , PA (I had to pay $540 deposit to reserve the group site F7 for Friday & Saturday . So you will need to pay me rather than Wilderness Voyageurs. So when you check in be sure to tell the desk you are with the Hoosiers to get the car pass but do not pay them. $15 per person per night night. Historically we have been able to watch the Nemocolin fireworks from this campsite! )

The Class 3 Lower Yough releases every day
The Class 4/5 Upper releases Friday, Saturday & Monday The Savage releases only Sunday July 5th (Next release is in September! )
The Class 1 Middle Yough can be paddled runs every day

What better way to celebrate 250 years of American independence than paddling the same waters that shaped the nation’s founding? The Youghiogheny River near Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania is steeped in Revolutionary-era history — a young George Washington traveled through the Ohiopyle area in 1753 and again in 1754, hoping to use the river as a rapid route toward Fort Duquesne, only to be stopped by the impassable falls. Washington observed the falls and recorded they were “nearly forty feet perpendicular,” concluding the Youghiogheny “can never be made navigable.” (Hey George, watch this ! )

Just a few miles away sits Fort Necessity National Battlefield, where on July 4, 1754 — exactly 22 years to the day before American independence was declared in Philadelphia — Washington’s troops marched away after his first and only military surrender, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to the Revolution itself. Paddling these waters in 2026 is a chance to float through history.

Of course, the river that turned back a future president and Founding Father is now one of the premier whitewater destinations in the eastern United States. Every year, over 100,000 people visit Ohiopyle to paddle the Youghiogheny, and the Lower Yough is the most popular whitewater section for good reason. The famous Lower Yough begins just below Ohiopyle Falls and flows seven miles downstream, and is one of the busiest section of whitewater east of the Mississippi River, with numerous Class Ii & III rapids that challenge and reward experienced paddlers. For those wanting something more relaxed, the Middle Yough offers Class I and II rapids ideal for flatwater or beginning whitewater kayakers or canoeists. Nestled within Ohiopyle State Park — a 20,000-acre outdoor recreation hub and gateway to the Laurel Highlands Mountains — the scenery matches the history. Celebrating America’s 250th on the Yough means honoring both the wild landscape that shaped the country and the paddling culture that has made it legendary.

If you have not done so for this year, PLEASE FILL OUT THE NEW E-WAIVER. HCKC is moving to a new electronic waiver system instead of our old paper waiver. This only needs to be completed once each year. If you have already submitted your e-waiver, you do not need to do it again until next year. If you are bringing a non-member guest, they should use this e-waiver.

HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/

Eagle Creek Triathlon Safety Boat July 18 (July 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT

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 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.

If you have not done so for this year, PLEASE FILL OUT THE NEW E-WAIVER. HCKC is moving to a new electronic waiver system instead of our old paper waiver. This only needs to be completed once each year. If you have already submitted your e-waiver, you do not need to do it again until next year. If you are bringing a non-member guest, they should use this e-waiver.

HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/

Eagle Creek Triathlon Safety Boat August 22 (August 22, 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT

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 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.

If you have not done so for this year, PLEASE FILL OUT THE NEW E-WAIVER. HCKC is moving to a new electronic waiver system instead of our old paper waiver. This only needs to be completed once each year. If you have already submitted your e-waiver, you do not need to do it again until next year. If you are bringing a non-member guest, they should use this e-waiver.

HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/

Swiftwater Rescue Course L2 - L4 (September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Swiftwater Rescue Course L2 - L4

12 - 13 Sep 2026

I just spoke to City of South Bend and there is a good chance the construction will be done and we can conduct a class on the East Race. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Welcome to the Swiftwater Rescue Course! Richard and I will be guiding you on your path to become a better rescuer. Our weekend together, you will learn several new techniques so you can have a toolbox full of “tools” that you can use to rescue a fellow boater and their gear. We only ask you to come rested and with an open mind because we are here to guide you on your journey.

This course is for anyone that paddles moving water to whitewater. If you paddle any streams here in the Midwest, you NEED this course! This course gives you the skills to know how to rescue others and be rescued by your fellow paddlers!

Here is the plan:

I will arrive at the Suzuki Music School around 9pm on 11 Sep 2026 and set up at the school. Saturday morning, I will be getting up around 6am to start fixing breakfast at the school. I will move to the East Race, so I’m set up and ready to go for an 8am start time. We will be conducting class on Saturday from 8am to around 5pm with a lunch around noon. After that if anyone wants to play on the race, they may do so that is taking the class. I will move back to the Music School to start dinner and have it ready around 630pm. We will eat and talk rescue and paddling stuff until everyone is tired. Sunday morning, I will get up and follow the same schedule as Saturday and have breakfast ready and be at the East Race by 8am on Sunday morning. We will teach and finish up our training on Sunday afternoon around 4pm. I will serve lunch around noon on Sunday.

Lodging:

Anyone interested in staying near the course for free, Monica Davis’s Mom has a music school near the course and has offered for anyone attending the course to stay at the school. Part of the cost for the course is to pay for the use of school.

You will need to bring the following:

· Sleeping bag

· Pillow

· Sleeping mat

· Towel, personal hygiene products

The school will be available for entry after 9 pm on Friday 11 Sep 2026. No one will be at the school on Saturday or Sunday except the Swiftwater Rescue Group. The school has one shower and 3 bathrooms. Inside the building, there are several classrooms and a large room downstairs for people to sleep on the floor on an air mattress. The kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee machine, stove, and sink. John Gates will provide food for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning at the school. I will also be providing lunch both Saturday and Sunday. There is plenty of paper plates, bowls, silverware, cups, and cookware to use. The school is in a very nice part of town with a grocery store across the road. There is a huge yard for outdoor play. No campfires are allowed since we are in city limits without a burn permit which we will not need. The building has internet, and Monica will bring her projector to play kayaking videos or whatever people want to watch.

Address:

Suzuki Music School

52549 Gumwood Road

Granger, IN 46530

The following items you will need:

River gear that keeps you warm. Drysuit or wetsuits because we will be in the water most of the day.

Your Rescue Kit (Pulleys, carabiners, webbing, etc)

Helmet

Paddle craft: whitewater kayak, etc.

Throw bag

Air Bags for your craft

Paddle

Foot wear. No sandals

Rescue knife

Rescue PFD or PFD

If you do not have any of the above, please reach out to me and we will discuss.

Cost:

The cost for the course is $110 if you are an ACA Member. If you aren’t an ACA Member, the cost will be $150 and you will become an ACA Member. Also included in your $110, you will become a HCKC Member if you are not already. The cost of this course is to cover cost of food, donation to the music studio, and cover Richard and I’s cost. We do not make anything off this course. We do this because we want our fellow boaters to be able to rescue others and even us on the river!

If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say Hi please reach out to Richard or I and we will be happy to chat. We look forward to working with each one of you.

John Gates