Wichita Area Paddlers (WAP)
2007 Wichita Area Paddlers TRIPS & EVENTS:
March 3-4, 2007. KCKA - Kayak Chapter Swiftwater Rescue Workshop. Land based topics covered in Wichita. Learn, review or practice various rescues, knots and mechanical advantage systems on dry land, in preparation for future water based training. Expect a mixture of topics extracted from the ACA 2-day SWR and the ACA 1-day Advanced SWR classes. This workshop is not an ACA or KCKA sanctioned activity. Saturday 8 AM-5 PM. Sunday 8 AM - 1 PM. Enrollment is limited. Advance registration and waiver are required. Contact: Chris Collins 316-942-4339. Registration cutoff: Feb 1, 2007.
March 10-11, 2007. Missouri Ozark River Running Workshop. [Class I-II] [Base Camp]. Plan for one of the spring fed rivers such as North Fork of White, Current, Jacks Fork, Nianqua, or the Spring River in AR, or the Buffalo in AR.. This trip is designed to help graduates of a basic kayaking class such as those hosted by the Red Cross, YMCA or UMF. We will work on learning to read the river and catch eddies with a whitewater or recreational kayak. Since the water will be mild enough to be used for rental canoes in the summer, it will be a baby step between pool training and real whitewater. RSVP: Chris Collins 316-942-4339
April 21-22, 2007. Basic Whitewater Workshop. [Class II][Base Camp]. Mulberry River will be our first choice. Focus will be on eddy turns, ferries, surfing, rolling and basic rescue techniques. Whitewater equipment and appropriate dress for a coldwater swim are required. Some previous training or experience required. RSVP: Chris Collins 316-942-4339
***** ***** ***** SHORT NOTICE TRIP ***** ***** Posted June 26
Friday, June 29-30, 2007. Arkansas River - Paddle & Sandbar Camp [Public Service Announcement] [Class I] [Boat Camp]. I am taking my visiting grandson (5 ½). Expect to launch north of Arkansas City at 6 PM Friday, taking out at Arkansas City Saturday morning. I am hoping for a short float and a great camping experience. If the river comes up, I will change locations. RSVP Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
July 11, 2007 Wichita Area Paddler Meeting - ON THE RIVER. Local Recreational Evening Float. Be dressed and ready to launch or run shuttle at 6:30 PM sharp. Bring headlamp and bug spray. RSVP 316-942-4339.
July 14-15, 2007, Arkansas River Float with Optional Overnight. [Public Service Announcement] [Class I][Boat Camp]. This trip will be suitable for recreational kayaks and canoes. Paddlers will need some previous paddling experience or pool training. A variety of rental canoes and kayaks are available as needed. If you have not sandbar camped from your boat before, please feel free to call for help with packing, camping and eating options. Float trip length will be adjusted for the water level. If the river is not suitable for floating then, as always, we will have a fun paddling option arranged. A typical trip would include 2-4 hours of actual floating on Saturday and 1-3 hours of actual floating on Sunday morning, finishing by Noon. Schedule all day Saturday to allow for a mid-morning rendezvous, transportation, lunch and river breaks. If you choose not to sandbar camp, please advise in advance and a Saturday evening take-out point will be provided. Guests are
welcome if they RSVP. RSVP and signed liability waiver are required by Friday July 6, 2007. RSVP, waiver and contact: Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
July 21,
2007. Wichita Area Paddler's Grouse Creek Float. [Public Service Announcement]
[Class I+] [Day Trip]. Alternate will be Walnut River and Arkansas River.
Grouse Creek is always an unknown since there is not a gage. Water can be
up and swift or shallow and slow, and strainers will be abundant and a portage
is not out of the question. A few rocky riffles exist. It is suitable for
short and mid-length boats such as recreational kayaks. Long boats are welcome
but might have maneuverability issues. Helmets are encouraged. RSVP:
Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, 6:00/6:30 PM. Wichita Area Paddler’s Local Float. [Public Service Announcement] [Class I]. This free beginner level float/paddle will be somewhere in Wichita and is designed to promote our sport to new people, and have a pleasant evening on the river. Bug spray and a headlamp are recommended although we are going to try to avoid the after dark take-out. We might even run the shuttle after the float so we can launch a 6:30 sharp. Our last local evening float had 17 participants and we met several new faces. We have a limited number of boats to loan by reservation only. Guests are definitely invited but ALL participants must RSVP and provide a 2007 waiver and medical form in advance of the day of the float. I would appreciate an additional interest questionnaire from new folks. Experienced paddlers who paddle with me frequently are invited to help, have fun and are excluded from the forms. Details will be emailed Monday or Tuesday to those who have RSVP’d and submitted the needed 2007 forms. Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
August 11-13, 2007. Colorado Novice Whitewater Workshop & Float. [Public Service Announcement] [Class II-III] [Base Camp]. Arkansas River near Salida, CO. Mostly Class II. Class III rapids can be portaged. Plan to travel Friday and then paddle Saturday, Sunday and maybe Monday morning. Call as needed to discuss your skill level, equipment requirements and clothing. This trip is probably for you if you have taken the Red Cross class or the YMCA workshop and at least have good boat control on flat water. The basis of the trip will be to improve our eddy turns, ferries, ability to read the river, and have fun. Saturday will begin with practicing (or learning) eddy turns and ferries, followed with a fun float and a first class surfing hole for those interested. Sunday will be a fun float with several Class III rapids that can be scouted and run, or portaged. I expect we will all get some SWR practice. The number of novices permitted will depend on the number of experienced boaters who help. Advance RSVP is required of ALL participants and helpers. Novices and anyone new to me will need time to submit a waiver and medical form. Please RSVP ASAP! Chris Collins 316-942-4339. This trip is FULL
Tuesday, August 7, 2007. WICHITA AREA PADDLER'S PIZZA NIGHT. Buffet night at Godfather's Pizza in Twin Lakes Shopping Center - 21st & Amidon in Wichita. Meet 6:30 PM. Swap stories, photos, paddling BS and contact information with new friends. Please bring written ideas for kayak games and/or races that might interest you, and be prepared to present or discuss those ideas. Dwan Green will be presenting an idea for a kayak race that should be fun for all paddlers using any type of kayak. Except for the food, the meeting is free and open to the public. Bring a guest.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 6:30 PM. WICHITA AREA PADDLER'S LOCAL FLOAT. [Public Service Announcement] [Class I]. This free beginner level float/paddle will be somewhere in or very near Wichita. This activity is designed to promote our sport to new people, and for all of us to have a pleasant evening on the river. Bug spray and a headlamp are recommended. We will launch a 6:30 sharp and run shuttle afterwards. We have a limited number of boats to loan, by reservation only. Guests are definitely invited but ALL participants must RSVP and provide a 2007 waiver and medical form in advance of the day of the float. Experienced paddlers who paddle with me frequently are excluded from the forms. Details will be emailed Monday evening or Tuesday to those who have RSVP'd and submitted the needed 2007 forms. Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
October 13-14, 2007. WAP Ozark Recreational Trip. [Public Service Announcement] [Class I-II] [Base Camp]. Could be in Arkansas or Missouri. Helmets and proper clothing are required although the water will be mild enough for all types of boats. Expect to travel 7-8 hours from Wichita, paddle Saturday and then Sunday morning early. 2007 Waiver and medical forms will be needed if not already on file. Participants and guests - advance RSVP only. Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
*** Saturday, November 10, 2007
10:00 AM River Cleanup. We will be doing a clean up on the Little Arkansas River. Meet and/or launch 10 AM at 12th & Bitting. In case of questionable weather confirm with Roger Norton at 316-943-0565.
Lunch: Bring your own food and eat with us on the riverbank in the park, or grab a bite from a nearby fast food joint.
1:30 PM Boat Race begins. Record your best time over a 5-mile course on the Little Arkansas River. Depending on boat length and stamina, this section will take from 1 – 2 hours. Any length canoe or kayak will work. This race is for fun and to test the interest level for this type of activity. Participation in this event requires 2007 waiver and medical forms in advance. If you think these forms are already on file, please call to confirm. Chris Collins 316-942-4339.
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