February 2025 HCKC Newsletter

BOAT, SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW

HCKC at the 2025 Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show February 14-23

HCKC had a large presence at the Indianapolis show representing all the various types of paddling our members enjoy. Visitors had an opportunity to talk with club members, view different types of equipment, learn about the dangers of low-head dams and explore what our club has to offer.

We had 11 New HCKC Members that signed up, each winning a “Golden Ticket” entitling them to an arranged training session at the pool with one of our trainers.

The colorful and educational booth was created and set up by:

John Gates

Toni Harris

John Wainscot 

Dwayne James

Earl King

Over 30 members volunteered to work in the HCKC booth, covering all the time slots!!

Thank you to everyone that helped plan and execute this event!!!

Thanks to all the 32 volunteers that helped with the HCKC Booth this year! 

The booth at the BSTS enables club volunteers to reach out to the public with information and advice.  It also raises awareness of our club and helps to boost membership.

LOW HEAD DAMS

MAYBE WE CAN HELP

Once again the HCKC has the opportunity to pursue a river safety initiative with a fierce Indiana advocate through his environmental company.

Jerry Sweeten, Professor of Environmental Studies, Manchester University, & founder of https://ecosystemsconnections.com/, contacted the club through Mariann. Jerry introduced his partnering ideas on the important issues of stream restoration and Low Head Dam removal. (The club had been involved with a LHD initiative in 2018— 2019).

Jerry delivered a very compelling argument for this important work to the board via Zoom. Hopefully, we will have the recorded interview available on our HCKC website for any interested member to review. (we are working on processing it). 

Further information about Jerry’s work can be viewed on his website @ save lives; save our rivers Contact Mariann Davis @ mariandvs@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out how the club can participate.

In 2019, these were the the locations of LHD dams in Indiana causing death and destruction to human lives and our living streams… Maybe we can help!

UPCOMING TRIPS & EVENTS

MOST OF OUR TRIPS ARE NOW ENTERED ON OUR CALENDAR.  THERE WILL HOPEFULLY BE SEVERAL MORE TRIPS ADDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.  THE CANOE AND KAYAK FLEET IN PARTICULAR HOPES TO ADD SHORT NOTICE TRIPS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE GOING TO BE FAVORABLE FOR STREAMS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST FAR IN ADVANCE.

UPCOMING WHITEWATER TRIPS:

WW Elkhorn in Frankfort, KY - Class 2 - March 2

WW - St. Francis Class 2 (3)/Missouri Whitewater Races - March 21-23

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

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

CK SUGAR CREEK ICE FALLS TRIP - RESCHEDULED

February's trip was cancelled due to low water and marginal weather.  We are tentatively rescheduling for Sunday March 16.  If that isn't a good day, then Saturday March 22.  There will be an email announcement if it looks like the trip will take place.  

HCKC SK  2025 Spring Trip North Carolina       April 11-19

Trip Level: L3

Trip Sponsors: Jim Heichelbech & Linda Decker

Location: Camping at Cedar Point Campground in the Croatan Coastal National Forest (Recreation.gov) Discounts with Senior Pass  Campsites may become difficult to reserve. It is recommended that you reserve a site asap if you are considering participating.  If tent camping, you may be able to share a site with someone already registered.  Check with trip sponsor.

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 currently Saturday mornings 10:00 - 12:00. Sometime later the sessions switch to Wednesday evenings so as to leave weekends open for trips.

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.

FROM THE SKIPPER

As I travel around the country, there is an opportunity to meet a wide variety of paddlers that paddle recreational kayaks, canoes, sea kayaks, white water, fishing kayaks or paddleboards.

I find we have a common language not limited by age, background or culture……..the love of being on the water. We share stories and experiences, our favorite destinations, our concern for the environment and preservation of our waterways. Our rich paddling network gives us opportunities and learning that we may not have on our own.

Often, our conversations with other paddlers often lead to new members into our HCKC community.  I feel fortunate to be part of such an active, thriving paddling club as well as getting to know others that share our universal language.

See you on the water,

Linda Decker HCKC Skipper

NEW MEMBERSHIP

Let’s Meet Our HCKC New Members 2025

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

Training : Weekly pool sessions, beginner/intermediate skills, open water rescue, swift water rescue and rolling

Paddling: Check out our online calendar for paddling events. We have over 40 events listed so far for this year, led by our safe, skilled trip leaders

Socializing: Participate in some of our club-wide events like the annual planning meeting, working the Indpls. Boat & Travel Show, Demo Day, Annual meeting ….stay tuned for additional events!

New Members since 1-1-2025

• ·         Patricia W
• ·         Claire R
• ·         Timothy D
• ·         Judi D
• ·         Collin W
• ·         Austin S
• ·         Jaedyn W
• ·         Scott P

• ·         Richard H
• ·         Shawn B
• ·         Colleen M
• ·         Frank G
• ·         Mary W
• ·         Nava S
• ·         Orry M
• ·         Jerusha M

• ·         Julie M
• ·         Kevin M
• ·         Laurel C
• ·         Chris T
• ·         Rebecca W
• ·         Steve W
• ·         Wrenn V

CANOECOPIA 2025

This year's Canoecopia will be held March 7-9.  This paddlesports trade show has a lot to offer, and one of HCKC's own, Lisa Yoder, will be presenting: How To Find People To Kayak With.  Please use the button below for more information on this non-HCKC event.

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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