June 2025 HCKC Newsletter

Low head dams are often colloquially known as "drowning machines" due to the hazard they pose to swimmers, kayakers, and other recreationalists, who may not recognize the structures or be aware of the turbulent currents they can cause, which are extremely difficult to escape. Be aware of where they are located and avoid them.

UPCOMING TRIPS AND EVENTS

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

UPCOMING CANOE & KAYAK TRIPS:

East Fork White River, Saturday July 12

Please join us as we partake our 16th annual East Fork White River float in south central Indiana. This year our plan will be from Columbus to Azalia for a distance of 11.5 miles with an easy shuttle of 20 miles in total distance. Our meeting time is 10:30 am @ the Columbus DNR ramp which is located (in view) 500 feet south (downstream) from the SR 46 bridge entering Columbus on the east bank. The put-in is an easy 44 mile drive from the center of Indy via I-65 & SR 46. Our take out will be at the DNR access site next to the (CR 800 south) Azalia bridge. The width of the stream will vary greatly due to summer conditions from 100 to 250 feet. You will experience some of the states longest sandbars providing ample opportunities for a lunchbreak. The reliable East Fork is one of only a hand full of Hoosier streams that can be paddled in near drought conditions. 

Lower Tippecanoe/Wabash trip, Saturday July 26, 2025

This trip will put in by the Springboro Bridge on SR 18. The access is west of the Tippecanoe River and north of the bridge. It should be suitable for all paddlers including beginners, although the full trip is a little long, about 14.5 miles. The take-out point will be from the Wabash at Davis Ferry Park north of Lafayette, south of the Wabash River and west of N. 9th St. There is an alternate take-out that shortens the trip to around 8.7 miles. It is a pay ramp by the confluence of the Tippecanoe and Wabash.

Eagle Creek Triathlon Safety Boat July 19 & August 23

Swimming portion of the Indy Sprint Triathlon Series. HCKC members and guests 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.

TRIP REPORTS

Summit Lake Open Water Rescue & Skills May 30-June 1       

by David Nord

Another Summit Lake Open Water Rescue & Skills weekend is in the books! It was definitely both cooler and windier this year than most of us hoped, but we still had 21 Hoosiers brave the chill to work on important self and group rescue skills last Saturday.

Our main focus Saturday was how to get back into a kayak in deep water, either alone or with assistance. We also discussed various tow systems and methods, including contact tows that can be done without a tow system of any kind.

Sunday was even chillier, so the numbers dropped to 15 and we basically worked one on one with each other on whatever skills the participants wanted.

A huge thank you to Linda Miles Decker and Jim Heichelbech for all of the organizational efforts. And also to all of the instructors/helpers (Tony Pascuzzi, Nicole Robinson, Martha Gitt, Judy Thompson, Jeff Stejskal, Mark Schneider) that volunteered their valuable time to make us safer paddlers.

Picnic and Demo Day June 7 at Geist Park

The HCKC Picnic and Demo Day was a success. Over 30 old and new members turned out to meet the new members and Demo new boats... Chef Vicki with sous chef, Richard, kept the burgers & brats comin'. A special treat was the traditional Sprandel watermelon. Thanks to all for their participation in helping to make the HCKC a stellar paddling club, and a special thanks to Mariann, star organizer.

Fall Creek June 15 - Sue Foxx

The trip down Fall Creek this year was wonderful but a trip leader’s nightmare. On Friday it appeared there would be a window on Saturday for the trip and a ‘go’ email was sent. Then early Saturday morning it was evident the front had sagged south and tropical rain along with a severe weather alert caused it to be moved to Sunday. Those registered got an email about the change proving that it pays to sign up rather than just show up. After 2 hours of rain on Saturday the gauge shot straight up more than 2 feet before it crested Saturday evening. On Sunday we had 8 paddlers and the river was at 3.5 feet when we departed about 11:30 am. There were several places where trees had fallen over the creek ( mostly by Fort HarrisonState Park) but we were able to limbo or squeeze through. At higher water levels, some of these obstacles might require a portage. A big thank you to Warren Rosenthal who alerted us to the issue after he paddled in the Saturday deluge. After Killer Falls the group ate lunch at the Skiles Test Put In and were visited by 3 people on horseback. The horses seemed mildly confused by our bright kayaks when they were trying to get a drink. The 10.7 mile trip ended at Keystone about 3:30 pm. The fast current and great company made for a memorable trip.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Kayaking Skills Clinic 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.

NEW MEMBERS

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

New Members 5/7 - 6/9

Carrie C.

Sid J.

Rob G.

BJ F.

Tyler W.

Ben N.

Laurie K.

Devon H.

Caity B.

Rachel H.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS WANTED

Do you have any tips, pictures, short stories or other items you think your fellow club members would be interested in?  I can't guarantee that I will use all submissions, and I may hold to put in a future newsletter if space seems to be an issue, but I will consider them all.

Thank you,

Yeoman Judy Thompson

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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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