Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club upcoming events

Swiftwater Rescue Course L2 - L4 (September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Swiftwater Rescue Course L2 - L4

12 - 13 Sep 2026

AUGUST 26 2026 UPDATE

To make sure we have everyone that is going to be at the course. Please send $110.00 to my Venmo Account by 03 Sep 2026 and email me your ACA Membership Number. If you are not an ACA Member please go to ACA Website (https://americancanoe.org/) and join the ACA. It costs $40 a year for membership.

Also, if you need a “Pin Kit”, I have loaner kits that require a deposit of $100 which you can add on and include in payment for the course. You will need to email me so I can set aside a kit with your name on it. The $100 deposit will be refunded on the last day of the course upon turn in. I will require a notice to ensure the appropriate amount of kits are available.

Please let me know if you are a vegetarian or have food allergies, so I can make sure you have plenty to eat.

UPDATE: 27 JULY 2026 - I spoke to the City of South Bend and we WILL be able to use the course for the Sep course so we are a GO... If you have never taken a Swiftwater Course or it has been more than 4 years since your last one and paddle any water that MOVES this is the course you want to take!!!! This course is not just for Whitewater. You will learn how to rescue fellow paddlers or know how to be a "Good" victim from things that we have here in Indiana to tougher class whitewater streams. If you think you are too old you aren't! But be prepared to swim and have fun while you learn many things that will help you be a better paddler!

Welcome to the Swiftwater Rescue Course! Richard and I will be guiding you on your path to become a better rescuer. Our weekend together, you will learn several new techniques so you can have a toolbox full of “tools” that you can use to rescue a fellow boater and their gear. We only ask you to come rested and with an open mind because we are here to guide you on your journey.

This course is for anyone that paddles moving water to whitewater. If you paddle any streams here in the Midwest, you NEED this course! This course gives you the skills to know how to rescue others and be rescued by your fellow paddlers!

Here is the plan:

I will arrive at the Suzuki Music School around 9pm on 11 Sep 2026 and set up at the school. Saturday morning, I will be getting up around 6am to start fixing breakfast at the school. I will move to the East Race, so I’m set up and ready to go for an 8am start time. We will be conducting class on Saturday from 8am to around 5pm with a lunch around noon. After that if anyone wants to play on the race, they may do so that is taking the class. I will move back to the Music School to start dinner and have it ready around 630pm. We will eat and talk rescue and paddling stuff until everyone is tired. Sunday morning, I will get up and follow the same schedule as Saturday and have breakfast ready and be at the East Race by 8am on Sunday morning. We will teach and finish up our training on Sunday afternoon around 4pm. I will serve lunch around noon on Sunday.

Lodging:

Anyone interested in staying near the course for free, Monica Davis’s Mom has a music school near the course and has offered for anyone attending the course to stay at the school. Part of the cost for the course is to pay for the use of school.

You will need to bring the following:

· Sleeping bag

· Pillow

· Sleeping mat

· Towel, personal hygiene products

The school will be available for entry after 9 pm on Friday 11 Sep 2026. No one will be at the school on Saturday or Sunday except the Swiftwater Rescue Group. The school has one shower and 3 bathrooms. Inside the building, there are several classrooms and a large room downstairs for people to sleep on the floor on an air mattress. The kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee machine, stove, and sink. John Gates will provide food for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning at the school. I will also be providing lunch both Saturday and Sunday. There is plenty of paper plates, bowls, silverware, cups, and cookware to use. The school is in a very nice part of town with a grocery store across the road. There is a huge yard for outdoor play. No campfires are allowed since we are in city limits without a burn permit which we will not need. The building has internet, and Monica will bring her projector to play kayaking videos or whatever people want to watch.

Address:

Suzuki Music School

52549 Gumwood Road

Granger, IN 46530

The following items you will need:

River gear that keeps you warm. Drysuit or wetsuits because we will be in the water most of the day.

Your Rescue Kit (Pulleys, carabiners, webbing, etc)

Helmet

Paddle craft: whitewater kayak, etc.

Throw bag

Air Bags for your craft

Paddle

Foot wear. No sandals

Rescue knife

Rescue PFD or PFD

If you do not have any of the above, please reach out to me and we will discuss.

Cost:

The cost for the course is $110 if you are an ACA Member. If you aren’t an ACA Member, the cost will be $150 and you will become an ACA Member. Also included in your $110, you will become a HCKC Member if you are not already. The cost of this course is to cover cost of food, donation to the music studio, and cover Richard and I’s cost. We do not make anything off this course. We do this because we want our fellow boaters to be able to rescue others and even us on the river!

If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say Hi please reach out to Richard or I and we will be happy to chat. We look forward to working with each one of you.

John Gates

Rock the Yough is Back !!! (October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

ROCK THE YOUGH IS BACK !!!

One of the club's most popular events. Rock the Yough pitch-in party and paddling event is back with a twist as it will be the fall weekend of October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2026. This isn't just for whitewater – it’s a trip for everyone!

Sponsors: Wendi and Bob Heckler - email: Hecklerwendi@att.net

Party, Camping & Sat. Night Pitch-In

This will be a trip you won't want to miss - especially the Saturday night pitch in dinner with live music from the infamous Bob (Big Drop) Heckler (an HCKC legend and all-around great guy)! The main course protein will be available, and we ask for everyone to pitch in either a side dish or a dessert. There will be a $10 cash event fee per person to cover costs of the main course protein, tent rental and consumables (plates, napkins, flatware, etc.). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE low, low CAMPING FEE. All other meals (breakfasts, lunches, and Friday dinner) are to be self-provided.

Paddler’s Lane Campground

Address: 255 Paddlers Ln

Confluence, PA 15424

Do not call the campground for reservations, as we have a large area already reserved for the HCKC. Camping is $10 per person per night. Upon arrival to the campground, cash payment should be paid to Wendi Heckler directly, NOT to the campground. We are taking care of all accommodation coordination with the campground to make things easier on everyone.

The campground does not allow firewood to be brought in from outside PA in compliance with PA forestry recommendations. There are bundles in front of the bathhouse that can be purchased. (This WOULD be paid directly to the campground.)

There is a bathhouse with hot showers, and a utility sink for washing dishes.

If you have not done so for this year, PLEASE FILL OUT THE NEW E-WAIVER. HCKC is moving to a new electronic waiver system instead of our old paper waiver. This only needs to be completed once each year. If you have already submitted your e-waiver, you do not need to do it again until next year. If you are bringing a non-member guest, they should use this e-waiver.

HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/

Flatwater and sea kayakers will enjoy checking out Youghiogheny River Lake. Jockey Hollow Boat Ramp will be a good place to put-in/take-out to avoid some of the power boats. It has also been recommended to travel a little further to the Maryland side and put-in at Mill Run Recreation Area (25 minutes from the campground). High Point Lake and Deer Valley Lake are also spots to check out (about a half hour away from our campground, and within minutes of each other) and are a bit more secluded. Cheat Lake a 1,730 acre reservoir 53 min. from the campground has two launches at Cheat Lake Park and by the Ices Ferry Bridge. The quiet areas of the lake known as the “backwaters” are best for kayaking.

For the adventurous recreational paddler who is comfortable with moving water, we recommend the Class II Middle Yough River (put-in right at camp!). All of the minor class 2 rapids can be easily missed because the river is very wide. If you are unsure about your watercraft, inflatable duckie kayaks are available for rent in Ohiopyle.

Middle Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1686/main

For whitewater boaters who are not ready for the Class II/III waters of the Lower Youghiogheny River, there's the nearby Class II Casselman River as well.

Upper Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/753/main

For Whitewater paddlers the Upper Youghiogheny is the Class 4/5 crown jewell of the east with regular releases, Friday the 2nd, Saturday the 3rd, and Monday the 5th. Make sure you have a good crew!

Lower Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/state-summary/?state=PA AKA the "LoYo" is a great class 2/3 paddle through the gorgeous Ohiopyle State Park which starts just below the gorgeous Youghiogheny Falls pictured above. Many Hoosiers have made this run over the years and there will no shortage of help to show you the lines.

Casselman: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/87/main Under typical conditions the Casselman is an easy class 2 stream but is more challenging if the rain gods put down a few downpours. In the past it has been a great alternative if the Lower Yough is too high.

Other Activities:

Hiking
Don't want to kayak? Come for the hiking, sightseeing, fishing, mountain biking, or join a commercial raft trip! There are many trails located in and around the Ohiopyle State Park area. If you enjoy hiking to see some waterfalls, we recommend the Cucumber Falls Trail, the Jonathan Run Trail, and the Meadow Run Trail (towards the Cascades).

Sightseeing:

Enjoy the best scenic mountaintop views from some of the most easily accessible upper elevations in West Virginia at Cooper’s Rock and Snake Hill.

in addition there are two Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area – Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. If you are interested in checking out Fallingwater, we recommend booking tickets early, as the tours fill very quickly.

The French &Indian War’s Fort Necessity, built by Lt. George Washington, Gen. Braddock’s Grave, George Washington’s Tavern and the Jumonville Glen battlefield managed by the National Park Service are popular sightseeing destinations in the area. Within an hour’s drive, there is also a Casino and many golf courses.

Fishing:

For the fishermen of the group, this is a very stream-rich area. You can fish for trout in Laurel Creek in Laurel Hill State Park, Meadow Run in Ohiopyle, and the Middle Yough River in Ohiopyle. For small mouth bass, the Casselman River is a great option. Most of these rivers have full trail access. Nearby Cheat Lake has 46 recorded species of fish in the lake.

Biking and Climbing:

There is mountain biking on Sugarloaf Mountain with beginner to difficult trails and flat trail biking on the Great Allegheny Passage biking trails most of which are rails to trails which means only small elevation gains. Bike rentals are available in Ohiopyle. Ohiopyle State Park has several designated Rock Climbing areas providing Top roping and Sport climbing routes.

Rentals in Ohiopyle

Bike rentals

- Wilderness Voyageurs Rafting & Bike Tours

103 Garrett St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

wilderness-voyageurs.com

- Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

4 Sherman St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

laurelhighlands.com

Duckie kayak/raft rentals/Guided raft trips

- Wilderness Voyageurs Rafting & Bike Tours

103 Garrett St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

wilderness-voyageurs.com

*Stand-up Paddle Boards also available for rent – call number on website to reserve!

*Paddle-cats/Shredders also available for rent

- White Water Adventurers Inc.

6 Negley St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

wwaraft.com

- Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

4 Sherman St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

laurelhighlands.com

*Paddle-cats/Shredders also available for rent

Flatwater Boat Launches

Jockey Hollow Boat Ramp

Confluence, PA 15424

Mill Run Recreation Area

Mill Run Rd, Friendsville, MD 21531

High Point Lake

South Access Boat Launch – T348, Fort Hill, PA 15540

North Shore Boat Ramp – Lake Shore Rd, Fort Hill, PA 15540

Deer Valley Lake

S Access Road, Fort Hill, PA 15540

Local Sightseeing Attractions

Fallingwater

1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464

www.fallingwater.org

Kentuck Knob

723 Kentuck Rd, Dunbar, PA 15431

www.kentuckknob.com

Fort Necessity

National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437

https://www.nps.gov/fone/index.htm

HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/