LOAPC Event Schedule 2024

* Wearing a properly fastened life jacket is mandatory while on the water during all Club activities.

* A liability waiver must be signed and on file annually.

* Bring the boat or equipment needed for the activity.

All trips will have coordination information posted on the Club Meetup page (registration required) prior to the activity with contact info.  Note that a few trips require more advance commitment due to ferry or lodging reservations needed.  Participants are responsible for having appropriate equipment and ability.  Non-members must sign a Club waiver prior to participation.

Sign up for trips at:  http://www.meetup.com/Lansing-Oar-and-Paddle-Club/

General information and schedules:  http://loapc.org/

LOAPC blog:  https://loapc.wordpress.com/

*Wearing a properly fastened Life Jacket is mandatory while on the water during all Club activities.

Jay Hanks (JH) – Recreation    

Loretta Crum (LC) – Recreation        

Tony Kuhlman (TK) – Recreation

Rich Bailey (RB) – Recreation, Open Water    

Steve Lidia (SL) – Open Water

Linda Savage (LS) – Open Water      

George Stockman (GS) – White Water        

Todd Leigh (TL) – White Water

March 16-17 Paddle the Au Sable River
19 Club Meeting—”Kayaking” with Rich Bailey at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
20 Exploration at Rose Lake for the Spring Equinox— Portage and Paddle

April 6 Whitewater Practice on the Huron River
13 Paddle at Six Lakes—First Lake to Sixth Lake, out and back
16 Club Meeting—“Hiking in Glacier National Park” with Jeff Kacos at Jimmy’s Pub, East
Lansing
21 Paddle Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park
27 Paddle up to 50 miles on the Grand River—Hugh Heward Challenge – MGROW**

May 7 Paddle the Portage and Grand Rivers—Levine Rail Trail Access
11 Paddle the Grand River—Oak Grove Boat Launch to Trestle Bridge
18 Paddle the Shiawassee Flats—St. Charles
21 Whitewater Practice on the Grand River—Webber Dam to Lyons
21 Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
25 12th Annual Memorial Day Paddle and Picnic—Lake Ovid
31-2 Paddle at Lake Dubonnet—Traverse City

June Wkly Monday Night Paddling on Lake Lansing
4 Paddle the Grand River—Trestle Bridge to Onondaga
8 Bike riding in the Lansing Area
15 Paddle the Shiawassee River—Henderson Park to Ditch Road
18 Club Meeting and Kayak Instruction—Grand Ledge Jaycee Park
25 Paddle the Grand River—Onondaga to Eaton Rapids

July Wkly Monday Night Paddling on Lake Lansing
9 Paddle the Grand River—Eaton Rapids to McNamara Landing
23 Paddle the Grand River—McNamara Landing to Dimondale
27 Paddle the Flat River—Fallasburg Covered Bridge

August Wkly Monday Night Paddling on Lake Lansing
6 Paddle the Grand River—Dimondale to Grand River Park
20 Paddle the Grand River—Grand River to Old Town
31 12th Annual Club Paddle and Picnic, Grand River—Old Town to Delta Mills

Sept 10 Paddle the Grand River—Delta Mills Park to Grand Ledge
28 Paddle the Red Cedar River—Williamston to Harris Nature Center

Oct 15 Club Meeting—Annual Business Meeting and Elections at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
24-27 Paddle the Pine and Little Manistee Rivers

Nov 19 Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
29 34th Annual Turkey Paddle on the Huron River

Dec 17 Club Christmas Party at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
21 31st Annual Solstice Paddle on the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers

MARCH-APRIL 2024 NEWS FROM THE LANSING OAR AND PADDLE CLUB

Greetings from the President

The 29th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium was another great success based on my view from the LOAPC booth of all the folks in the arena, auditorium and speaking rooms.  It is always encouraging to see so many people interested and participating in our human-oriented activities.  I hope you were able to be there and had as great an experience as I did.

We shared our planned activities for the Club for 2024, and as always more will be added as the year progresses.  There are many different possible activities and some just pop up.  You can view them at our sites:  Trip Schedule | Lansing Oar and Paddle Club (loapc.org) as well as LOAPC Event Schedule 2024 | LOAPC blog (wordpress.com)
 
Upcoming dates you may be interested in:

The Great Lakes Paddlers are planning a gear swap/sale at Island Lake.  They are a Facebook group so you have to be on Facebook to view their site, but here is the relevant information:
     Outdoor Gear Swap/Sale Great Lakes Paddlers | Groups | Facebook
     Island Lake Recreation Area
     Saturday, May 18th. 10 AM – 12 Noon
     Kent Lake Beach Parking Area Lawn, north of the parking lot
     Michigan Passport required for park entry
     You’ve got all winter to sort through your paddling and camping gear!!! After 12 noon we can do an informal paddle on the Huron River, or some may choose to paddle over to Kensington Park. This event is not sponsored by the park, just a meeting of paddlers who want to recycle/sell usable gear. Great event for beginners/families getting started in outdoor activities.

The Michigan Waterways Stewards are planning many different river clean-ups and activities, and you can read about all of them at Red Cedar River Cleanup (miwaterwaysstewards.org)

The Friends of the Looking Glass River (also on Facebook ) have posted dates for their own clean-ups as follows:
     SUN, MAY 5 AT 1 PM  Spring River Clean Up Float – May 2024

     SUN, JUL 14 AT 1 PM  Summer River Clean up Float – July 2024

     SUN, AUG 25 AT 1 PM  Fall River Clean Up Float – August 2024

Finally, if all these activities are not enough, you can plan your own paddling destination here in Michigan with the following article from MLive:  8 Michigan islands where you can camp overnight – mlive.com
 
Don’t forget our next meeting is at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing at 7:00 pm on March 19!  Rich Bailey will be speaking on Kayak Instruction.
 
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks

Lake Lansing Boat Launch CLOSED Until May 1
Thanks to Rich Bailey for noticing this!

Lake Lansing Boat Launch Users: The Boat Launch located at 6271 E Lake Dr. in Haslett, is currently CLOSED and will remain so until MAY 1st due to a construction project with Meridian Township. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working to get the project completed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot allow boats to launch during this time. If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Meridian Public Works Department at 517-853-4440.

On Saturday, March 2, about 1,500 people converged on the MSU Pavilion to celebrate, learn, and talk about paddling, biking, camping, fishing, hiking, and more quiet sports. Speaker presentations and the new demonstration stage were well attended. The mini pop-up music sessions with Jerry Vandiver and Caitlin Evanson in the exhibit aisles had many people smiling. The wherry built and donated by Jon Bauer found a new home at the end of the silent auction. Over 300 raffle tickets were sold for the grand prizes of a bicycle ($1500) and a kayak ($2100). Your chances were always good at the raffle table. Next year look for the 30^th Symposium tentatively scheduled for March 1, 2025 at https://quietadventures.org/

– Kate Lederle, QAS Planning Committee

Getting Your Boat Ready for Paddling Season
Spring is almost here, earlier than usual. Punxsutawney Phil may have not seen his shadow this year, but even a hibernating mole could have seen that the paddling season was going to kick off in a hurry.

Which means that, as paddlers, we need to get going ourselves. And the first job is to go wake up your boat. If you have more than one, start with your favorite. (I know, your boats are like your kids. You don’t have a favorite. Yeah, right)

Some boats respond better to a gentle approach. These should be taken down off the storage rack, carefully placed on the tender blades of grass in the lawn and allowed to warm in the morning sun. Apply a gentle spray with soapy water to remove any dust and dirt and dried mud from the last season, followed by a rinse with warm (and preferably softened) water. Follow this up with a coat or two of hull wax, and maybe replace the deck lines with new ones. Your boat will thank you with many hours of enjoyable times on the water.

Other boats should be brought awake suddenly, with a hard, cold spray from the hose. Soon enough you will be paddling down the Misery River through Lumpenbump Rapids, so your pride and joy needs to be toughened up in a hurry. You can’t coddle these boats. Think of this as boot camp for watercraft. This boat may dump you in the cold water of a northern river 10 feet from shore while all your friends are watching, but it will get you to that point, safe and sound.

The same goes for your other gear. Check your paddle for cracks or splits in the blades and add a coat of decorative stickers to the paddle as well. And remember that half-eaten granola bar you couldn’t find at the end of the last trip?  Check the top left pocket of your PFD now. Your paddling buddies will thank you on that first trip.

See you on the water!

 – Tony Kuhlman, Recreation Co-Chair

Photo: MSU Extension Clean Boats Clean Waters

Copyright © 2024 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.

LOAPC Meeting Presentations 2008 – 2024 (list)

2008

January 15       “Kayaking in the Galapagos Islands”:  Tom Conner and Connie Page

February 19     “Winter Paddling Skills”:  Jay Hank

March 18         “Paddling in the Everglades”:  Loretta Crum

April 15           “Kayaking Basics”:  Jay Hanks

2009

January 20       “Paddling the Au Sable River from Grayling to Oscoda”:  Loretta Crum

February 17     “Kayaking in Alaska”:  Lynn Dominguez

March 17         “Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario”:  Jay Hanks

April 21           “Recreational Kayak and Canoe Safety Basics”:  Jay Hanks

May 19            “Favorite Places to Paddle in Michigan”:  Ron Smith

June 16            “Canoeing Big Bend National Park – Texas”:  Patrick Harrington and Robin Barfoot

July 21             “Ontario’s Algoma River”:  Mark Schultz

2010

January 19       “The Big South Branch of the Pere Marquette – the toughest little river in Michigan”:  Jay Hanks

February 16     “The Upper Missinaibi River – Hawk Junction to Mattice:  High Water in 2009”:  Rich Bailey

March 16         “Canoe and Kayak Safety – keeping warm and dry is no accident”:  Jay Hanks

April 20           “Big Bend National Park Wild & Scenic River – Desert canyon canoeing in the most desolate location in the lower 48”:  Pat Harrington

May 18            “Grand River Expedition 2010 – Kick-off celebration”

2011

January 18       “Grand River Expedition 2010”:  Jay Hanks

February 15     “Winter Canoeing”:  Jay Hanks

March 15         “The Adreanof Islands Expedition – 2010, kayaking with Stan in the Aleutians”:  Todd Leigh

April 19           “LOAPC Summer Trips – Middle Island, South Shore Superior, Bruce Peninsula, and the French River”:  Todd Leigh and Linda Savage

May 17            “Paddling Safety for Beginners and Experts”:  Jay Hanks

2012

January 17       “LOAPC Paddle Trips in 2011”:  Todd Leigh and Linda Savage

February 21     “LOAPC Paddle Trips in 2011”:  Jay Hanks

March 20         “Surf Kayaking on Lake Michigan”

April 17           “Drowning Prevention”

May 15            “Paddling in the Boundary Waters”

June 19             “Leadership 101”

2013

January 15       “2012 Club Paddling Trips”:  Todd & Linda

February 19     “2012 Club Paddling Trips”:  Jay Hanks

March 26         “Ontario North Shore Paddling Destinations”:  by Rich Bailey

April 16           “Mattice to Moosonee – Ontario by Canoe”:  Jay Hanks

May 21            “Safety/Skills”

June 18            Picnic and swap meet at Lake Lansing Park South

November 19   “Michipicoten Island, Ontario”:  Gary DeKock

2014

January 21       “2013 Paddling Trips”:  Todd Leigh and Linda Savage

February 18     “2013 Paddling Trips”:  Jay Hanks

March 18         “Batchawana River, Ontario”:  Rich Bailey

April 15           “Spanish River, Ontario”:  Joe Lessard and George Stockman

May 20            “Safety Skills”:  Coast Guard Auxiliary

June 17            Swap Meet and Picnic

November 25   “Mississippi River Voyage – Source to Sea by Kayak”:  Gary and Lind DeKock

2015

January 20       “2014 Paddling Trips”:  Jay Hanks

February 17     “Bloodvein River”:  George Stockman

March 17         “How to pick a boat”:  Trey Rouss and Scott Fairty from The Power of Water

April 21           “North Channel”:  Thad Vance

May 19            “Safety”:  Scott Fairty and Trey Rouss from The Power of Water

June 16            Swap Meet

November 17   “Paddling in Canada and California”:  Don Potter

•  

January 19       “2015 Trips”:  Jay Hanks

February 16      TBA – Gary and Linda DeKock

March 15         “Flack Lake/Ten Mile Lake”:  Rich Bailey and others

April 19           TBA – Todd Leigh and Linda Savage

May 17             TBA – Safety

June 21             3^rd Annual Swap Meet and Picnic

November 15   “Woodland Caribou Provincial Park”:  Don Potter

2017

January 17        “2016 Trips”:  Jay Hanks

February 21      “Looking Glass River Expedition”:  Loretta Crum

March 21         “Apostle Islands”:  Linda Hunt          

April 18           “Backpacking Red River Gorge”:  Rich Bailey

May 16             “Safety”

June 20             4^th Annual Swap Meet and Picnic

November 21   Little Bighorn River and more – Don Potter

December 19    Club Christmas Party @ Jimmy’s

2018     

January 16       “Flathead River and more”:  George Stockman        

February 20      “Paddle and Portage”:  Jay Hanks

March 20         “Backpacking Pictured Rocks”:  Rich Bailey

April 17           “Paddling Quetico, Ontario”:  Jeff Kacos

May 15             “1,000 Days in 40 Years”:  Jay Hanks         

June 19             5^th Annual Swap Meet and Picnic

November 20   “Missouri River”:  Gary and Lind DeKock

December 18    Club Christmas Party @ Jimmy’s

2019

January 15       “ASRO Compilation”:  Jay Hanks     

February 19      “Paddling the Missinaibi River”:  Jay Hanks

March 19         “Greenland Kayaking”:  Tim Gallaway                 

April 16           “Massasauga Provincial Park”:  Rich Bailey

May 21             “Seven Days at Lake Superior Provincial Park – Michipicoten to Katherine’s Cove”:  Thad Vance                

June 18             6^th Annual Swap Meet and Picnic

November 19   “Western Rivers”:  Don Potter

December 17    Club Christmas Party @ Jimmy’s

2020

January 21       “Bay Cliff”: Todd and Linda   

February 18      “Killarney Provincial Park”:  Jay Hanks

March 17         cancelled    

April 21           cancelled

May 19             cancelled                                 

June 16             Crego Park, East Lansing – open paddle

November 17   ZOOM: “Great Lakes Water Levels”:  Kate Lederle

December 15    Club Christmas Party downtown on the street

2021

January 19       ZOOM: “Whitewater Paddling Across the U.S.”:  George Stockman  

February 16      Virtual QAS begins

March 16         ZOOM: “Southwest U.S. National Parks”:  Rich Bailey            

April 20           ZOOM: “Buying a Kayak for Beginners”:  Loretta Crum

May 18             Wonch Park, Okemos – “Trip Planning”:  Jay Hanks                         

June 15             8^th Annual Swap Meet and Picnic

November 16   “Kayaking in Ireland”:  Cynthia Donovan

December 21    “Glorious Ectachrome – Whitewater Back in the Day”:  Jay Hanks

2022

January 18       “Southwest U.S. National Parks”:  Rich Bailey               

February 15     “Backpacking the North Country Trail”:  Jay Hanks       

March 15         “Grand River Experience 2021”:  Loretta Crum              

April 19           “Isle Royale – by Foot and Paddle”:  Todd Leigh and Linda Savage   

May 17             CISMA – Kate Lederle and Loretta Crum                                

June 21             “Introduction to Kayaking at Jaycee Park”:  Todd, Linda and LOAPC

November 22   “Obatanga Provincial Park 2004”:  Jay Hanks

December 20    “The Dog River – 2001”:  Jay Hanks

2023

January 17       “Kayaking Lake Superior”:  Mike Stout

February 21     “Kayaking Isle Royale”:  Rich Bailey

March 21         “Western Whitewater”:  Kathleen Imre

April 18           “Hiking the Camino”:  Richard Godbold

May 16            “Freestyle Canoeing”:  Lyn Dominguez

June 20            “Introduction to Kayaking at Jaycee Park”:

November 21   “Paddling the Everglades”:  Loretta Crum   

December 19    “Paddling Lime Island, MI”:  Joe Lessard

2024

January 16       “Boundary Waters Canoe Area”: George Stockman

February 20     “Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers, Alaska”: Thad and Patty Vance and Kate Lederle

March

April

May

June

November

December

January/February Newsletter from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

The weather may be colder but we always like getting together whether it’s indoors or outdoors.  Club meetings are at Jimmy’s Pub, 16820 Chandler Road, East Lansing. Come early to order food and visit. Presentations begin after 7 pm. On January 16 the club meeting will feature a presentation by George Stockman on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota. Our February 20 presentation will be by Thad and Patty Vance and Kate Lederle on their trips down the Tatshenshini River in western Canada and Alaska.

On February 24 we’ll be on the Au Sable River for a day paddle launching in Grayling. See the posting on Meetup for all the details and to sign up.  

Our 2024 paddling activity schedule will be out in early March. You can keep up with all our Club activities on our Meetup site at Lansing Oar and Paddle Club | Meetup  And as a final bit of business I just want to remind everyone that we are gratefully accepting your 2024 membership dues of  $10 and THANK YOU to all of you who have already paid.

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Michigan river towns ‘very vocal and upset’ about possible changes at hydro dams

I ran across this article on mlive.com recently.  I have paddled many of these rivers and portaged many of these dams.  Dams are part of our state’s, nation’s, and world’s history relative to rivers and hydropower generation, but their construction has a finite life.  The problem is compounded when whole communities grow up around them, and then the dam must be modernized or removed.

You can read the article in its entirety here:  Michigan hydro dams – mlive.com   Read for yourself and get involved if this is something that you feel strongly about.  I have seen the Old Stronach Dam, and the Brown Bridge Dam removed in recent years on the Pine and Boardman rivers, respectively.  There are things that went well and things that did not.  Riparian issues affect us all, and knowledge of these events is the beginning of positive change and understanding.

Photo: Jay Hanks

*******************

4,800-mile trail that crosses Michigan now recognized with National Park status

The North Country Trail has become a part of the National Park system.  This will have a huge impact on the future of the trail as it passes through Michigan.  You can read the article in its entirety here:  NCT National Park status – mlive.com

Photo: Jay Hanks

We hope to see everyone out on the water very soon!
 
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks

March 2, 2024Mark your calendars to attend or volunteer at the 29^th Quiet Adventures Symposium on Saturday, March 2 at the MSU Livestock Pavilion, 9 am to 5:30 pm. We’re proud to host this event in Mid-Michigan. It brings together an amazing community to our backyard. A local event needs local volunteers. There’s a job for everyone. Please look at the list at Quiet Adventures Volunteers 2024 for a job that interests you.  The volunteer list can also be accessed from the QAS website:  QuietAdventures.org > QAS 2024 > Volunteer Signup. The LOAPC booth will be providing QAS event information and directions to the attendees.

Marketing of QAS is underway. You can help by sharing social media posts that show up in your feed. In February look for QAS signage on CATA buses. A week before the event there will be yard signs with event location and time information placed on intersection corners.

This annual event will feature speakers on paddling, biking, camping, and more. Exhibitors will show off their wares and take time to tell you about their organizations. A beautiful Cosine Wherry rowboat has been donated for a silent auction at the event. The boat is made of Western Red Cedar, is 14 feet long and weighs 120 lbs. Oars are included with the boat. The winner will need to bring their own trailer. Prizes for the Grand Prize raffles have been negotiated with Denny’s Central Park Bicycles and The Power of Water. Stay up to date on the speakers and exhibitors at QuietAdventures.org.

– Kate Lederle

Paddling Bingo
Play paddling bingo on those long winter nights when friends come over and you’re waiting for paddling season to begin. The stories will never stop as you call out “Seal Launch” or “Wet Exit.” Have fun.

 – Tony Kuhlman

Copyright © 2024 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.

Footbridge at the English Inn on the Grand River being looked at for removal.

The hazardous steel footbridge structure on the Grand River near Eaton Rapids, downstream from Bunker Road in front of the English Inn, is being considered for removal.

Since its installation in 1981, this structure has partially or completely blocked navigation on the Grand River for paddlers. The bridge rests atop stone pilings that are much older and was moved to the pilings from another location before the State of Michigan got strict about permitting. The bridge is of modern design and has no historical value. Over the years, floating logs and ice jams have mangled the steel to the point where its only value is scrap.

Now Ingham County is looking at whether funds are available to pull the steel structure off the pilings and partially or completely eliminate this hazard. It’s been a long time in coming, with a lot of complaints from paddlers voiced over the years while the bridge was tied up in legal limbo.

LOAPC recently voiced its support for removal of the footbridge in a letter to Ingham County. We feel it’s an important step to protect the safety of the public. The footbridge creates an extremely dangerous entrapment situation on the river because:

• The pilings are too short to provide clearance for paddlers to float underneath the metal structure when the river rises above a certain level;
• The structure frequently traps large logs, entire trees, and other river debris floating downstream, requiring constant maintenance;
• This stretch of the Grand River has swift current. The hydraulic force of the river flowing downstream can jam a paddler underneath the bridge or trapped logs with no means of escape. The only safe way to move downstream at higher water is to get out of your boat on private property and portage around the footbridge. Because of the speed of the current, it’s a difficult exit and reentry for beginning paddlers.

The bridge came to rest at this location because of bad decision making by individuals who are no longer alive or involved with the English Inn. LOAPC supports the use of public funds to protect the public and open this stretch of the Grand River for safe recreational use. We’ll keep you updated on this blog and in our Club newsletters as the process moves along.

November/December 2023 Newsletter from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

I hope everyone has had a great summer of paddling.  We are winding down our activities with a few traditional events.  November 24 is our 33^rd Annual Friday After Thanksgiving Paddle on the Huron River, and Thursday December 21 is our 30^th Annual Winter Solstice Paddle.  All of the pertinent information is on our Club Meetup site: Lansing Oar and Paddle Club | Meetup  There are other paddling activities that will be posted, so subscribe to announcements on the Meetup site if you have not already done so.
 
The 2024 annual membership dues of  $10 are beginning to be turned in and yours are welcome.  Our budget allows us to exist as a 501(c)4 non-profit organization and business in Michigan and the IRS.  For the past 37 year we have been offering paddling opportunities for folks in the greater Lansing area, Michigan, and beyond.  We are all looking for other people to safely paddle together with, along with a high degree of proficiency and respect.  We welcome new paddlers with similar interests.

Our next Club meeting is Tuesday November 21 with Tim Novak, Michigan’s new State Trail Coordinator, at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing. Did you know the Department of Michigan Natural Resources manages approximately 15,000 miles of trails throughout the state, with motorized, non-motorized and even water trails?  Tim will speak to the important role the DNR plays in making sure trails are available and maintained for all sorts of Michigan recreationalists’ interest and give you some insight into the opportunities available for you to enjoy Michigan out-of-doors year-round.  Take advantage of this opportunity to ask a question and perhaps even provide your perspective to the person at the top of Michigan’s trail system. 

Our December meeting is on the 19^th at Jimmy’s Pub featuring Joe Lessard on Paddling Lime Island. The DNR identifies Lime Island as a “hidden gem” that lies in the St. Marys River Navigation Channel.  When you read the promotion of this relatively newer Michigan state park, you’ll note it appears to always require a motorized conveyance to get to Lime Island.  Likely, this is a reasoned effort to discourage unprepared paddlers attempting to cross the “15 minute” by motorize craft, two-and-a-half-mile paddle across one of the busiest big lake freighter channels you’ll find. Join us in December as participants share experiences and photos of just one of the many terrific paddling options.

The 29^th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium is on Saturday March 2, 2024.  LOAPC has long been involved with the symposium. The club has been instrumental in its development and success. They need folks to help plan for the event, as well as on the day of the event itself.  If you would like to help, then go to  QuietAdventures.org  or email Volunteer@quietadventures.org  We will have more information in our January newsletter, as well as on our Meetup site.

________________________________________________

I get asked a lot about why I paddle.  Sometimes they are general questions from strangers that hear that “he does a lot of kayaking”.  Others actually know that I paddle a canoe for the most part.  I know how to paddle both, but it is true that I prefer the canoe.  I was a canoeist long before I ever picked up a canoe paddle.  It’s what I am.
 
So why do I paddle?  I could probably spend the rest of my life answering that question, but fundamentally it is about who I am.  When I am in a canoe the boundaries of this world melt away and it feels like anything is possible.  It is in the most profound sense that I am in some transition zone from one world into another, and I will get there if I just keep paddling.  As the river winds around each bend it feels like the river is actually unravelling before me and the horizon keeps rolling up in front of me. 
 
I have the distinct feeling of being very small and yet infinite at the same time.  Of course, a cold and rainy-day kind of puts a damper on that sensation and the consequential discomfort keeps a firm tether on my connection to this world.  But no matter how cold and wet it may be the river will always draw me back with the siren song of the sound of moving water.  Aching muscles recover, clothes dry out, the sun rises, and I am off onto another adventure.  There is a native American saying the you can never step in the same water twice, and the cycle is renewed as my canoe slips away from the shore.

“The beauty of being in the backcountry on a quiet day. Alone in your canoe, but not completely alone. A few friends nearby is a shared solitude.”  (Photo by Jay Hanks)

Stay safe, – Jay Hanks

Pine River 2023 Trip Report
October 28, 2023

Up at a quarter to five in the morning to be ready for a 6 AM start for the drive to the Dobson Bridge put-in on the Pine River makes for an early start to a day. Still worth every bit of the early start to get in a run on one of my favorite rivers with good friends from LOAPC. The gauge had been coming up over the past day or two from 251 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 294 cfs on Friday evening so the water levels were looking very good. After the usual flurry of unloading boats & gear (oh yeah, don’t forget the paddles) we ran shuttle down to Low Bridge. At launch, there was time for some of us to get in a round of surfing on the Dobson wave. It’s pretty decent at this water level.

(Photo: Jay Hanks)

Heading down river we found ourselves enjoying the day as it started to warm a bit and there were occasional sun showers. The recent rains had clouded the water, and, in retrospect, I realized that I was not seeing the clay ledges that the Pine is noted for. After a quick 2 hours we found ourselves at the Peterson Bridge access site and time for a lunch break. As we were wrapping up our lunch a canoe livery trailer showed up along with a group of people and several massive coolers. We thought it best to be on our way ahead of that group and so, after a couple of passes at the surf wave, we headed down river. The stretch from Peterson’s to where the river flattens out where the backwaters of the Stronach dam had been is often the more challenging sections of the Pine but today with the higher water level it seemed straight forward. There was usually more than enough water over the gravel bars so that minimal attention was needed to route finding. The clouds lifted more, and the sun showers became more the norm. The glow of the Aspens against the oaks and pines was amazing.  All too soon I noticed the logs buried in the banks that signaled that we were nearing the old dam site and the end of the trip. A quick paddle after the old dam site brought us to the takeout and time to load our cars and go our separate ways. All in all, I couldn’t have wanted a better October day on the river. Thanks to Jay and the weather committee for a great paddle.

– Rich Bailey

(Photo: Jay Hanks)

March 3, 2023

The Quiet Adventures Society is busy planning the next symposium (QAS) for March 2, 2024, at the MSU Livestock Pavilion. Planning is led by the Society’s Board members; Cynthia Donovan, president, Lauren Smith, vice president, Joe Lessard, treasurer, Pat Harrington, director, Gary de Kock, director, and new directors Emma Bailey, Susan Hopp, and Collin Tarr. Returning speakers and exhibitors include Cliff Jacobson, Kevin Callan, and Jerry Vandiver. Advertising has begun with the printing of information cards about the QAS. The cards are on display at the MDOT Welcome Center in Clare on US-127. A bulletin board inside, on welcome center right, has information describing quiet adventures and the upcoming symposium. Check it out on your next trip north. Exhibitor and sponsor registration will be open soon as well as speaker proposal submissions and volunteer options. Learn more about the society, the symposium, and volunteering at QuietAdventures.org or email Volunteer@quietadventures.org

Enjoying the Apostle Islands
In September, I was lucky to have a group of four friends who wanted to kayak camp in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore of Lake Superior. The islands are located off the northern-most point of Wisconsin near Bayfield. Among the gang, were paddlers skilled in navigation, weather assessment and planning. We all had rescue skills as well. I benefited from the skills the other paddlers brought to bear. We all had sea kayaks, although at 15’ 3” my Karla was the shortest boat in the fleet.  Dry suits were our fashion statement, as Lake Superior water is cold. Taking dips was refreshing!

We had planned our route and reserved camping sites, but Lake Superior made a few changes necessary. Small craft warnings are nothing to ignore. In the end, after taking off from Little Sand Bay,  we spent two nights at a campsite on the north side of Sand Island, two nights on Oak Island and then another back at Sand Island, in the campsite above the caves. Each established campsite came with a bear box, which we were relieved to see, especially on Oak Island as we saw fresh large paw prints along the beach where we parked the kayaks.  

I was faced with some of the most challenging conditions that I had seen. The trip from Oak back to Sand Island provided the whole gamut of wind, swells, downpour (I call it a squall). Making it safely to Sand Island, we had an adrenaline kick to play in the sea caves!  Three of our group had also gone to Devil’s Island for the sea caves there and said they were awesome. I had a side ache and decided not to go, so I have left something for the next trip to the Apostle Islands. So much to explore. Thanks to my paddling friends, Jeff, Laurie, Chris, and Alex!

– Cynthia Donovan

Sea caves. (Photo by Cynthia Donovan)

Cooking dinner. (Photo by Cynthia Donovan)

A Paddler’s Letter to Santa Claus
Dear Santa,

As you probably know, I have been a very good person this year.  I helped organize several trips for our local paddling club, and several people thanked me for doing so.  The trip down Roaring River drew several compliments from the EMTs who are permanently at Windowmaker Rapids.  They said they had never seen anyone go through the rapids backwards before.  I didn’t want to seem like I was bragging, so I just said it was an accident.  And please, please don’t mention this to my life insurance agent.

I want to address the incident on the 4th of July picnic paddle.  I would like to point out that I did not intentionally flip old Mrs. Merkle out of her canoe.  I’m sure that her boat is so old that termites must have chewed almost all the way through the hull anyway, and she would have started leaking even if I had not bumped into her (several times)…  She did tell me that her husband had bought the boat during the Eisenhower administration for their honeymoon, so the termite explanation must be considered at least possible.

And while we’re on the topic of the picnic, I had no idea that Eddie Carson was allergic to rhubarb.  I thought everyone loved strawberry rhubarb pie – honest!  

So here is my wish list:

I would like a new set of kayak bars for the top of my wife’s minivan.  Oh, and a new roof rack to bolt them to.  The body shop said they could fasten that to the holes where the old one was torn away by that low hanging tree limb.

I would also like a new PFD.  The bear that was attracted to the chocolate bars in the pocket of my old one was darted and sedated by the DNR, but the officer said my old PFD was too damaged by the wild chase through the woods before the sedative took effect.

Finally, I’d like one of those jazzy folding kayaks.  Apparently, the one that got caught sideways against a rock in Windowmaker Rapids was not supposed to fold that way.  I’m hoping the new one won’t be quite so fragile.

Sincerely,
Tony Kuhlman

Copyright © 2023 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

PO Box 26254

Lansing, Mi 48910

October News from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

Our 2024 Elections will take place at our Annual Business Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing on Tuesday October 17 at 7:00 pm.  These are the people wishing to continue to serve on our Club Board:
President:  Jay Hanks
Secretary: Loretta Crum
Vice President: Rich Bailey
Treasurer:  Joe Lessard

Chair positions:
Recreation Committee: Loretta Crum and Tony Kuhlman 
Whitewater Committee: Todd Leigh and George Stockman
Open Water Committee: Linda Savage, Rich Bailey, and Steve Lidia
Communication Committee: Kate Lederle

Middle Grand River Paddling
This past year has been the third consecutive year that I have paddled the Middle Grand from upstream of Lansing, through, and then downstream.  I have put these together as progressive daytrips that began in 2021 with MGROW’s Grand River Experience.  It is adjusted a little every year regarding exact put-ins and takeouts, but essentially it starts with the Hugh Heward kicking it off the last Saturday in April, and then heading upstream to paddle back down to Grand Ledge.

Most recently I have started at the Trestle Bridge launch up near Rives Junction and in segments have made it down to Grand Ledge.  Some of them have been on weekdays, and some have been on Saturdays depending on the amount of time spent on the water.  Folks upstream have been doing a real good job of keeping the river clear of downed trees, and although there have been a few duck-unders and squeeze-throughs, nobody has had to portage their boat.

(Photo by Jay Hanks)

Participation has been modest, but I am not looking for large crowds anyway.  “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” – Kenneth Grahame

Stay safe,

– Jay Hanks

Red Cedar River Day a Successful Event

The Red Cedar River Water Trail Committee held a day of celebration and activity in Williamston on September 30, 2023. Events included paddling on selected stretches of the newly-designated water trail, a food tent, and display booths with environmental and water safety information. Rivertown Adventures was recruited for canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle duties. Scout Troop 64, based in Williamston, lent their fleet of tandem canoes to the festivities and provided shuttle and safety support. The Eastern Ingham Farmers Market provided booth shade for the exhibitors and all-around support, along with the Sunrise Rotary Club.

The organizers happily report that they put over 40 people on the water that day. Nature cooperated in spectacular fashion, with perfect early fall weather and an inch of rain two days before the event. This nearly doubled the streamflow in the Red Cedar River and made the downstream run from Williamston to Harris Nature Center a breeze. Top Notch Tree Care spent a full day on the river the day before it rained and cleaned up the deadfall from the storm the night of August 24.

LOAPC has provided support and advice for this event from the beginning, and we shared an information booth with MGROW for the day. A group of Club members made the paddle from Williamston to Van Atta Road, where shuttle vehicles and trailers were waiting to take them back upstream to their cars. Check out the photos below, with more on the Meetup page for the event. (Photo credits: George Stockman and Fred Cowles.)

– Loretta Crum

Copyright © 2023 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

PO Box 26254

Lansing, Mi 48910

September News from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

Summer has gone by in its typical speedy manner, and I hope everyone has been out enjoying the lakes and rivers.  There is a tremendous variety of things to do in paddlesports from recreational day trips to wilderness excursions, and they are all great.  As we head into fall there are a few activities you may be interested in, and our Club business to take care of.

Red Cedar River Day Inaugural Celebration!
https://www.redcedarriver.org/riverdayinfo
Check in on the day of and enter a drawing to win a kayak, paddle, PFD! (Drawing at 4pm)

Please share with friends, family, community; and check back at the website for updated details!

The Michigan Waterways Stewards with Mike Stout have been busy with a large number of volunteers removing bikes, scooters, and other debris from the Red Cedar River.  You can read all about what they have been doing on their website, as well as the Friends of the Red Cedar Facebook page (different site), at:  https://www.miwaterwaysstewards.org/stewardship-survey-823—overview.html.  Mike is working on a survey that you may be interested in submitting after reading about it.  There is also an event on Friday September 22 down on the riverfront at the Rotary Park that he is organizing: Michigan Waterways Stewards (miwaterwaysstewards.org)

Our 2024 Elections will take place at our Annual Business Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing on Tuesday October 17 at 7:00 pm.  Here are the people wishing to continue to serve on our Club Board:

President:  Jay Hanks
Secretary: Loretta Crum
Vice President: Rich Bailey
Treasurer:  Joe Lessard

Chair positions:
Recreation Committee: Loretta Crum and Tony Kuhlman 
Whitewater Committee: Todd Leigh and George Stockman
Open Water Committee: Linda Savage, Rich Bailey, and Steve Lidia
Communication Committee: Kate Lederle

Stay safe,– Jay Hanks

Red Cedar River Day Planned for September 30

The Red Cedar River Water Trail Committee is planning a day of celebration and activity in Williamston on September 30, 2023  from 12 noon-4 pm. Events include guided paddles on selected stretches of the newly-designated water trail, and other activities, including food tents, display booths, and paddle clinics. Keep an eye on their website for additional updates as the date draws closer.

Copyright © 2023 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

PO Box 26254

Lansing, Mi 48910

July and August Newsletter from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

The annual Youth Sports Event is Sunday August 27 at Burchfield Park from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Lansing Oar and Paddle Club has been a part of this introduction to the kayaking experience there for many years now.  We show young people how to get in and out of a kayak and perform basic strokes in a supervised swimming area using Ingham County Parks equipment.  Members from the Club have voluntarily brought some of their own boats along in the past to demonstrate the differences and give examples. If you are interested in helping out there is a posting on our Club Meetup site for the event.

The City of Lansing and the Michigan Waterways Stewards with Mike Stout have been actively working on cleaning and clearing the walking trails along the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers, as well as the rivers themselves. You can read more about their work by going to their website at MiWaterwaysStewards.org   Their activities on June 8 – 10 resulted in trash and debris being collected and passages cleared on the lower Red Cedar River from Kruger Landing down to the confluence with the Grand River, and the Grand River from there down to Tecumseh Park.

They are also planning another event for September 22 at Rotary Park downtown on the riverfront.  Connect to their website highlighted above for more information on how to participate.John Bollman, volunteers, and manpower from Top Notch Tree Care worked on Friday, June 23, on the Red Cedar River from Williamston down past the Harris Nature Center cutting and removing logjams and other natural obstructions. George Stockman has a more detailed report in this newsletter.

Considerable clearing work has been done by others over the years on this section, but there are always new logjams. More work is being planned in the future. Logjams are a natural feature of the Red Cedar River. Paddlers should always be prepared to portage safely around a logjam.

 Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks

photo by George Stockman

Red Cedar River Log Jam Work on June 23, 2023

Top Notch Tree Care experts from the Jackson area volunteered to work on log jam removal and a good volunteer crew was hastily recruited by John Bollman to work on the log jams between Williamston and Okemos.

A lot of work was done — more than our LOAPC crews could do in five outings if at all. Crew 1 floated from Williamston down to Roadside Park on Grand River Ave. I think they cut out 3 jams but had a long 6 miles to cover with very little river flow. Crew 2, of which I was a member, cut open 6 large jams from Roadside Park down to Harris Nature Center in a mere 1.7 miles of river. Crew 3 mainly worked from the bank hiking trails from Legg Park back up to Harris. After lunch from 1 to 2 at Harris, most of the volunteers worked together on a total removal of a large jam just downriver from Harris.

The hard cutting was done by the professionals from Top Notch and I was glad to watch and support. Crew 2 pro “Dave” worked long and hard and did things I wouldn’t try myself. He often used plunge cuts on the large horizontal trunks across the river. He would pierce the log using the saw like a sword, plunging through the log about 6in below the top, then saw down to the bottom, sometimes ending up with the chain under water. Then he would return to the top and finish the cut. Of course, his saw was more powerful and had a different chain than what we LOAPC volunteers use. Our Rotary Club and paddler volunteers did mostly the grunt work of moving the logs up out of the riverbed and of transporting the gear and work crew down the river.

Removal of jam 7 was a circus or an opera depending on how one viewed it. Saw men traversed the jammed logs cutting pieces off in a clever order. Waders either removed small pieces and threw them or walked them to shore or tied ropes or chains to the big pieces for the machines to handle. Machine operators bobbed and weaved through the standing trees to get the big logs as high as possible from the riverbed. It was amazing how much weight the machines could handle. Sometimes two separate logs would be tied to the same line and pulled from the river. We “mules” on the shore dodged the machines and moved the small stuff to the same piles. I was tuckered out by 4 PM and content to stay out of the way and rest.

Our support crew was mainly seniors: it was good to see their skill in the boats and energy removing logs from the riverbed; and it was good to make new friends. I enjoyed the results and the optimism of the organizers; however, declarations of the “river being clear from Williamston to Okemos” is naïve. Those of us who paddle often know that the river is only clear until the next storm or until the next leaner loses grip on the bank or loses to the ants or bees eating its belly.

– Story and photos by George Stockman

A passage is cut on the left through a huge jam just downstream from Grand River Ave. Removing all the logs from the riverbed would take another full day.

A jam just below Harris was totally removed by about 12 men and two machines. There is an island at the top left and for years the open channel was on the other side; however, that channel was jammed even more than the left one. (Unfortunately, this left channel will jam again soon when the already dead leaner seen in the upper right falls and collects floaters from upriver.)

Lunch was brought to the Harris Center and was greatly appreciated by the three crews. Crew 2 pro “Dave” is in the center with the yellow helmet.

Red Cedar River Day Planned for September 30

The Red Cedar River Water Trail Committee is planning a day of celebration and activity in Williamston and on the MSU campus on September 30, 2023. Events include guided paddles on selected stretches of the newly-designated water trail, and other activities, including food tents, display booths, and paddle clinics. Keep an eye on their website for additional updates as the date draws closer.

Opinion: Rethinking Bridges, Dams, and Portages
by George Stockman

Recently, there has been a lot of good work in our mid-Michigan area on developing and maintaining water trails. Volunteer organizations such as MGROW, LOAPC, Friends of the Red Cedar, and Rotary Clubs have joined with various overlapping units of local government to define features of our Middle Grand River Water Trail and Red Cedar Water Trail and to work on logistics to create accesses, clear log jams and remove trash from our waterways.

One key issue is missing. There has been progress on signage for bridges and portage trails, which can be seen along our river trails today. We are missing the need to design the portages themselves and integrate that in the design and construction of new bridges and restoration of existing bridges. In my opinion, we need to change both the engineering design processes and the civil laws governing construction. This has been done with wetlands and it is needed with portages.

This recent case study puts sharp focus on the issue. In late 2022, Mike Stout of River Angels organized removal of a large log jam on the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad bridge just downriver from MLK Blvd. Several volunteers joined with RR company employees and a large mass of logs was removed from the riverbed as well as the trash behind it – quite an achievement. However, there was never consideration for a safe portage path in case of a future river-wide jam. The high water of early April 2023 jammed the bridge again and this time when the water level dropped, both spans at river left and river right became unsafe for portaging. At the time of the Hugh Heward event on April 29, there were two tight passages where skilled paddlers could slide over logs in the jam, and most did. However, one experienced team decided to portage on river right. They paddled back up the river bout 20 yards where there was a shallow bank for take-out, and then up a steep rough path to the top of the bank, then over the RR tracks and down to an easy low water put in. I believe that there is old fencing along the tracks with a break in it, probably designed by fishermen. Possibly this path goes through Peckham property.

All bridges are impediments to river travel when jammed. By design, they must be above the water at flood level. To be efficient, their banks are often steep and often have concrete walls. To portage, paddlers must be skilled enough to paddle back upriver to find a safe take-out. A few years ago, just upriver, an old bridge was replaced, and the construction work quickly created a dangerous floating dam and access road. There was no proper warning signage and no planned portage. JH went through on a Friday with help from the construction crew. I went through on Saturday morning and portaged over the new rock road on river right. It was difficult to even walk on that material. Today, those rocks are still there (for portaging) but there is a fence discouraging any access to a walking trail leading to a good dock!

Same thing happened in the construction of the new Okemos Road bridge over this winter of 2023. Crews blocked off the Red Cedar for a few weeks without warning signage and with NO PLANNED PORTAGE. A portaging paddler would have had to find her own way from Ferguson Park through all the construction materials and machines, over a highly trafficked Okemos Rd, and into the Wonch Park construction site. It’s important to mention that there was lots of planning and signage controlling road access by cars and pedestrian access on the sidewalks. There was a similar situation about 15 years ago when the Dobie Road bridge was restored. My daughter and I ran into plastic fencing closing the entire span. No warning, and no portaging signs! We were able to pull the fencing back enough to slide along the abutment and get through. It’s important to note that construction crews understand the situation and have always been helpful when present, but on weekends or evenings paddlers will be on their own.

In summary, bridges [and dams] can be impediments to river use. The need for safe and efficient portage needs to be considered during the design stage of a build or restoration project. Moreover, civil laws are needed to guarantee that proper design and costing is done in the process and that legal access is available, if needed, in adjacent private property. This is especially important in Michigan since we have many small rivers and small cities with multiple bridges and dams and many paddlers.

Copyright © 2023 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

PO Box 26254

Lansing, Mi 48910

June Newsletter from the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Greetings from the President

Welcome to summer in Michigan!  We have many local trips, and some not so local, planned for the summer. Locally we’re paddling our way down the middle section of the Grand River over several one-day trips. One of the not so local trips is paddling on Lake Michigan near Fisherman’s Island State Park in Charlevoix County. Other activities will be posted when trip leaders are available. You can see the entire list on the LOAPC blog. Signup is on Meetup.
On Tuesday June 20 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Jaycee Park in Grand Ledge on the Grand River the Grand Ledge Area District Library is hosting “Paddle On! Intro to Paddle Sports in Mid-Michigan.” LOAPC will present kayak paddling and safety on the water. Presentations will also be made by folks from Michigan Sea Grant and the Lansing Coast Guard Auxiliary. A local kayak rental business will be onsite for those who want to get on the water after the program.

The Michigan Waterways Stewards with Mike Stout are planning clean-ups on the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers.  They are working with the City of Lansing and local Rotary Clubs to keep these rivers clean and clear. Clean-ups are planned for June 8, 9, and 10 and September 22. Sign up on the website.

The Friends of the Looking Glass River have posted pictures of their successful May Cleanup on Facebook:  Friends of the Looking Glass River | Facebook  This year’s summer cleanup float is scheduled for July 16:  Summer River Clean Up Float – July 2023.  The Fall cleanup float is scheduled for August 27:  Fall River Clean Up Float – August 2023.

At the North Lake Lansing Boat Launch rocks for erosion control were installed where paddlers have historically launched their canoes and kayaks. The rocks make it difficult to launch safely at the old location. LOAPC met with Coe Emons, Ingham County Parks Department, to discuss a solution for paddlers launching at the boat launch. The discussion ended with the Parks Department committing to installing flexible matting east of the boat launch for canoes and kayaks to access the water. It’s unknown when the matting will be installed.

– Jay Hanks

Cedar River Trip Report

In May, we went to Leelanau County, to paddle the Cedar River and Cedar Lake. Saturday’s paddle was on the Cedar River. This is a small stream that flows through the town of Cedar and Solon Swamp, out to Lake Leelanau. The club has paddled this bit of water several times in the past and enjoyed it immensely. The land on either side is owned by the Leelanau Conservancy, which is dedicated to protecting pristine and remarkable properties throughout Leelanau County. The paddle was an out-and-back trip. The current on the river is barely negligible, which makes the return trip almost as easy as the downstream part. Along the way we spotted a sandhill crane on her nest. She was very vocal about our intrusion, and we tried to appease her on the way back by paddling single file on the opposite side of the river. After paddling we had a late lunch at the Cedar Tavern. I’m glad to report that nobody walked away hungry.

On Sunday we paddled a lap around Cedar Lake, a small lake just north of Traverse City in the Greilickville neighborhood. This lake is about 1.5 miles long, and about 250 yards wide at the narrowest point. We also paddled down Cedar Creek, through which the lake drains into West Grand Traverse Bay. It’s a narrow stream, just wide enough to thread kayaks through single file, or sometimes 2 abreast. This also has a very slow current. The entire outing was perhaps 2 hours and made for a pleasant time on the water before people headed back to Lansing and the real world.

One special feature of the trip was a chance to see LOAPC member Kathleen. She and her husband moved to the Traverse City area a few years ago. She is active in the Traverse Area Paddle Club and told me about some interesting places to paddle in the area. Yes, that’s a hint about upcoming trips – stay tuned to the LOAPC calendar and newsletter!

Next up – we are paddling the Chain o’ Lakes in Antrim County. The details are in Meetup, and spaces are available. Come out for an enjoyable time!

– Tony Kuhlman, Recreation Committee Co-Chair

(Photo by Cynthia Donovan)

Risk Management – Deciding to Launch

Condensed from “Economics of Decision Making’” by Aras Kriauciunas (Sidebar in “Sea Kayaker More Deep Trouble”)

Do I launch today? That is a question that we all face every time we put a boat in the water. Let’s say that I have carefully hoarded vacation time, saved the money, and have driven 400 miles to the put in. Should that be a part of my decision to head out today? Well, economics would say NO, those are sunk costs and should not affect your decision to launch.

How do I make the decision to launch? Consider the relationship of how much you will enjoy the activity (potential value) to the downsides of paddling today (perceived risk). Then compare this perceived value to what else you might be doing on the trip.

An example: You have planned to paddle the Sleeping Bear shore on Lake Michigan with a small group in August. You have taken a long weekend, paid for a campsite, and arrived at the shore to find the weather is windy and rainy. You wake to 15-20 mph winds from the northwest with gusts to 30 mph, cloudy, air temperatures are 50 degrees rising to 65 degrees with occasional showers. Water temperatures have dropped to the low 50s. Does the group launch?

Consider the value and risk of the trip, and options for the group of paddlers on the trip. The goal is to have a safe and fun trip. Below are two options for the day depending on the experience level of the group.

Very Experienced Group of Paddlers

• Value – The value of a trip in these conditions is high for the group as this is the type of paddle they live for.
• Risk – The risk will be moderate as the winds are on-shore. The group has dry suits and helmets, and they have the skills for the environment.
• What are the options if you don’t paddle this shore. – Find an inland lake that is more protected from the wind, hike local trails, or visit local wineries.
• Decision –  Possible launch today after careful consideration of conditions and potential changes in weather.

Less Experienced Group of Paddlers

• Value – The value of the trip for this group is low to moderate as they are more comfortable in calmer and warmer waters.
• Risk – The risk is high even with on-shore winds. Not all the group will be wearing dry suits and helmets, and they do not have the skills for these conditions. The paddlers have not been evaluated by an expert in rolls, rescues, or recoveries in these conditions.
• What are the options if you don’t paddle this shore. – Find an inland lake that is more protected from the wind, hike local trails, or visit local wineries.
• Decision – No launch today. A hike and the wineries sound like a great option.

Remember, Launches are Optional, Safe Landings are Mandatory!

– Rich Bailey

Sea kayaks on big water. Photo by Pamela Beauchamp.

Copyright © 2023 Lansing Oar and Paddle Club, All rights reserved.