September 2025 HCKC Newsletter

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

Introduction to Canoeing Class

This class is limited to the first 5 registrants due to instructor to student ratio.

If you have questions, please contact Brent Saucerman at 317-523-8417. I will be instructing, possibly with help. This will be a basic canoeing course covering safety, the Forward, Reverse, Sweep, Reverse Sweep. C Stroke, and J Stroke. If time allows we may add a few strokes.

UPCOMING CANOE & KAYAK TRIP:

Grayson Lake, KY, Oct. 31-Nov. 2

 Grayson Lake has some amazing cliff lined sections and is a beautiful place to paddle.  This trip is for both Canoe & Kayak and Sea Kayak, although we will travel a little slower than a typical SK trip.  This is a lake paddle, so all should be prepared for a paddle and not a float, since there is next to no current.

UPCOMING SEA KAYAK EVENTS:

Ohio River/American River Roots Festival                          Saturday, October 11, 2025

Trip Sponsors: Tony Pascuzzi & Greg Wood

Trip Level 2 with possible Level 3 conditions

Join us for a day on the Ohio River. We will paddle the Ohio River along the Cincinnati / Newport waterfronts, viewing the largest collection of riverboats in the country. Featured will be nine riverboats from seven of America’s historic river cities.

SK: Lake Monroe Overnight October 18-19, 2025

Trip Sponsor: Jeff Stejskal

THIS is a LEVEL 2 HCKC Sea Kayaking Trip (with possible Level 3 conditions) Please review trip level chart before signing up. Trip Level Guide 1-2021.docx

Join us for an overnight paddling trip on Lake Monroe.   Lake Monroe lets us camp from our boats along the shore in Deem Wilderness. This is our annual fall pilgrimage and we will camp out on the peninsula across from Cutright Public Access Site.   

If you only want to paddle on Saturday, our campsite should be only be about 3-4 miles from the Cutright put-in so that people are welcome to come out and day-paddle with us without camping.

UPCOMING WW TRIP:

Ocoee Last Weekend Release Oct. 25-26

Location:

ORE (Ocoee River Experience)

414 Parksville Rd, Benton, TN 37307

 (423) 769-1036

info@ocoeeriverexperience.com

Details:

The Middle Ocoee last weekend release will be 25 – 26 Oct 2025.  I will be down at ORE and there will be a Halloween Party 25 Oct 2025 and movie night featuring “Rocky Horror Picture Show”.  ORE will be fixing a special meal for sale and offering great beer on sale for purchase also.  I will be paddling the Middle Ocoee both days.  If you or your loved one can’t paddle the Middle Ocoee in a whitewater craft.  ORE will be running raft trips both days.  The Hiwassee River will be running also.  ORE has three different types of lodging: The Lodge, Bunkhouse, and Camping/ RV Sites.  Please go to ORE’s website and reserve your lodging.  If you want to raft the Ocoee, please go to ORE’s website to reserve your rafting trip. 

If you have any questions, please text or call me.  John Gates 207-522-0259

SAVE THE DATE!

HCKC ANNUAL MEETING/SWAP MEET/DINNER - NOV. 8

At Forest Park Inn in Noblesville.  

AGENDA FOR THE DAY:

12:30–1:00 Swap meet items placed and meet & greet/social time.

1:00—2:00 Fleet Breakout sessions: Review 2025 trips, early planning of possible trips for 2026.

2pm—3:00 Begin the annual meeting: fleet summaries from each breakout session, a trip’s presentation from each fleet.

3:00—3:20 Trip leader recognition

3:20—3:45 Business meeting with the election of the board

3:45—4:30 Dinner

4:30 Clean up

TRIP & EVENT REPORTS

Cataract Falls Full Moon Paddle Sept. 6

HCKC Non-Trip Report

Submitted by: Tony Pascuzzi

Qajaq TC, August 21 - 25, 2025

We had twenty-two HCKC members that participated in Qajaq TC (Training Camp). QTC (Qajaq TC) is an official Qajaq USA event that’s held each year in mid to late August. It takes place at Camp Lookout, near Frankfort, Michigan. 

QTC is a Greenland skills focused event, with on-water mentoring for rolling, rescues, bracing, edging, strokes, Greenland ropes, and surfing (when conditions are available). With only around sixty attendees and a very high mentor-to-student ratio, coaching is flexible and focused on helping everyone succeed.

This year we were lucky enough to have some decent surfing conditions on Saturday. Several folks headed out to Lake Michigan for surfing and rough water play.

Here's the link to the 2025 photo gallery -

https://qajaqtc.org/2025-photos/

 This is a great camp to build your skills and make new friends. Mark your calendars! The dates for QTC 2026 are August 27 - 30.  I’d highly encourage everyone to check it out.

Here’s a picture of the HCKC participants. Dubside (guy in black) is an honorary HCKC member. Not shown in picture is HCKC member Mike Carey.

Swiftwater Rescue Course 13 - 14 Sept. 2025 in South Bend IN L2-L4

A very good course for everyone that paddles moving water to whitewater.  John Gates along with fellow instructor James and very capable helpers had a highly successful class, enabling participants to hone rescue skills and learn new ones.  

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 since 8/6

Blake F.

Don S.

Cynthia S.

Chris W.

Susan O.

Missi C.

Timothy G.

Kay R.

Alex R.

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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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