CLUB MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH (Excluding December, January and February) AT THE

5 RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER (map) AT 7PM. SEE THE POSTS BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS!

To post information to this website or for further information about this website, just ask Tracy at tracy@thelannies.us
Current Club Coordinator: Tracy Lannie
MBCKC would like to express our appreciation to 5 Rivers and it's staff for all they do.

Disclaimer: This site provides general information & links on topics of paddling. Paddlesports can pose serious risks of damage to personal property & serious bodily injury including permanent disability & death. Anyone participanting in any MBCKC event or participating in any event mentioned on this website does so at their own risk and agrees to hold MBCKC harmless from any liability as a result of such participation or use of information contained herein.

Sunday, December 31, 2017



February Meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 at 7pm.   Meetings are held at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in the  Long Leaf room of Delta Hall.



Events
Feb 17th 10AM to 2PM  - 2nd Annual February Floating Cleanup of Fish River and Weeks Bay
Where:  Tonsmeire Resource Center, under the Fish River Bridge, Hwy 98
Join the Weeks Bay Foundation and Thompson Engineering for our 2nd Annual February Floating Cleanup of Fish River and Weeks Bay. This paddling cleanup is a great way to help get the trash out of hard to reach spots on our beautiful waterways.
Bring your canoe, kayak, or favorite water craft and meet at the Fish River boat ramp at 8 am to explore the banks of the river and bay picking up trash and recyclables. We will finish up back at the boat ramp by 12 pm.
Weeks Bay will provide trash bags and nitrile gloves.



March 17th - Battle on the Bayou Kayak Race  for more info:  http://www.battleonthebayou.com/

April 5-8 Paddle Bayou Lafourche  - for more info:  https://outreach.btnep.org/events/paddle-
bayou-lafourche/

April 21st  - 8th Annual Great Drift
When:  April 21st - 1:00 pm launch
Where:  Dog River Scenic Blueway, Perch Creek East Landing
 The canoe and kayak paddle will begin and end at the newly established Perch Creek East launch site inside McNally Park located at 4380 Park Road off Dauphin Island Parkway near the tip of the Peninsula. The site offers plenty of parking.

The route takes paddlers through serene areas of one of the watershed’s cleanest streams. Bring your own canoe, kayak or SUP (no motorized vessels) or rent from Sunshine Canoes (251-367-4144). Reserve early. On-site help available beginning at noon.

Participants are encouraged to attend the annual Post Drift Party held immediately following the event at the River Shack Restaurant and Oyster Bar at the mouth of Dog River – only a quick 2 mile drive south. Again this year, the River Shack will provide DISCOUNTED FOOD for registered paddlers presenting required coupon. The Dog River Scenic Blueway string of six (6) launch sites inside the Dog River Watershed. The DRSBW is a National Scenic Recreational Water Trail and part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail System’s Coastal Trail.

May 19 - 20 - Hatchet Creek Festival in Rockford, AL
Hatchet Creek Festival is a two day float trip held once every year on or around Memorial Day on Hatchet Creek in Coosa County, Alabama.  (save the date, registration will open soon.  Will post more info as available)
 
May 26th - Guided Canoe Trip to the Cahaba Lilies
 

Important Notice - MBCKC will not meet during the months of December and January.

Monday, November 06, 2017

November Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room at Five Rivers.   Come share your paddle stories with us!

Sunday, October 01, 2017

October Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Long Leaf room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  

This month's presentation will be by Steve Kohrman, MBCKC member.  Several years ago, Steve had an urge to get out on the water.  He had owned a motor boat before, but he yearned for something simpler.  He was tempted by a kayak-making course in Mississippi, but he worked and didn't have weeks to spend in a classroom out of town.  So, Steve bought a book, "Canoe & Kayak Building the Light and Easy Way", and began building his own kayak.  This kayak was to be the first Kayak Steve had ever been in!   Come join us as we learn about Steve's kayak building venture and see what a beauty she turned out to be!  


Paddles
Saturday, October 7th - Indian Mounds Paddle   - Jared Walker is  leading a group to the Indian mounds on October 7, meeting at the Stagecoach Cafe parking lot at 7:30 A.M.   Watch the website later this week for more information.  Due to high water from tropical storm Nate, this paddle has been postponed until further notice. 



Sunday, Oct 15th - Alabama Scenic River Trail Sanctioned Paddle:  Bob Andrews' "Bayou Tallapoosa" Delta Paddle - will meet at Stage Coach at 9 a.m. - MUST call Bob if you plan to attend.  (251) 367-4144.   Rental kayaks available Due to high water, this paddle has been canceled.  If rescheduled, we will post info.
 


Paddling Events
Saturday, October 7th - Arts & Paddle Peninsula Style by Dog River Clearwater Revival 
DRCR is joining hands with the Peninsula of Mobile for their first large fundraising event. Participants will experience art of all kinds from music to food to the picturesqe scenry of of both Mobile Bay and Perch Creek.

The paddle portion of the event begins at Perch Creek 10am with canoes, kayaks and paddleboards welcome. Need to rent? Call Sunshine Canoes at 251.367.4144 and reserve yours today! All participants must observe all safety rules and sign a waiver. Though registration is free, donations are welcomed. All donations help implement the Peninsula's master plan for low-impact redevelopment of Mobile's coastal community.

 



News:
Lower Delta Platforms Now Available for Reservations!  -  
While the suggested landings, routes, and shelter information are not yet shown on the website, the lower delta shelters have now been activated on the reservation link and can be rented.



Visit www.AlabamaCanoeTrails.com and click on the reservations link at the top of the page. Then click the “select campsite” box and you will see Yancey, Mudhole and Justins Bay shelters listed.  Hank Burch said he would characterize this as a "soft opening" because there are still planned improvements to be made in the near future.  For example:   the shelters do not currently have hammock rings, but we will be installing those, as well as some built in fold down tables, benches, permanent signage, and such. So, although the shelters are open, just know that there will be even more to look forward to once the funding is available. 

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

September Meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 5, at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall, Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  Nancy Ward has offered to present the documentary The Underwater Forest which details the study of the ancient cypress forest found 60 feet underwater due South of Gulf Shore in the Gulf of Mexico. "The Underwater Forest" is written and directed by Ben Raines and is co-produced by This is Alabama and the Alabama Coastal Foundation.  

Update on Hank Landau:
 Sometime before noon on Sunday, 08/27, Hank Landau completed his quest! He reached the Atlantic via the St Marys River! Way to go Hank!

Events

Sept 2nd - Yak-A-Du Kayak Duathlon  Long Beach, MS-  For those of you that enjoy running and paddling:
This is a first time fun event. It consists of individuals running 2 miles (one mile up Tucker Rd. and back), then kayaking 2 miles (one mile south on Wolf River and back), and then doing the 2 mile out and back run on Tucker Rd. again. This will be a solo event only. No teams or relays for the Yak-A-Du.   For more info:  http://local.aarp.org/event/yak-a-du-kayak-duathlon-2017-09-02-long-beach-ms.html            

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

August Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 1st at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall.  
Special guest speaker announcement:

Two hundred and two years after the Lewis and Clark expedition left Fort Clatsop on the Pacific coast, Hank Landau (74) launched his kayak (from Oregon) and followed in their wake, on what he refers to as, his great misadventure. He kayaked up the Columbia and lower Snake Rivers, portaged the Rocky Mts. and then kayaked the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis. Although St Louis was to be the end of the trip, Hank continued on the less frequented Tennessee River route to Mobile where he was met with true southern hospitality. After a health related delay Hank is ready to pick up his paddle again and continue eastwards, perhaps reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Hank will launch from Mobile on the morning of our meeting and cross the Mobile Bay to the Eastern Shore. Hank will join us at our meeting and be our guest speaker sharing some details of his "misadventure" and where he plans to paddle from here!   Please bring a friend and join us to hear Hank's story!

Paddles & Events

Events
August 19th - 6th Annual Paddle at the Porch - for more info:   https://paddleguru.com/races/6thAnnualPaddleatthePorch

 Paddles
Sunday, August 13 at 9am - Fish River Paddle
On Sunday, August 13 at 9 am meet at Big Daddy's Grill ( Ferry Rd near Highway 32). Kayaks are allowed to launch from the (closed) boat ramp, but we must then move our cars in the parking lot way away from the restaurant so as not to hinder patron parking. Let's respect the owner's wishes so he'll continue to allow kayak launches. We'll paddle upstream on Fish River. After the Highway 32 bridge, boats can't make wake and it's pleasant. We'll paddle for a couple hours then turn around when we want to. Nice easy paddle. Email or call me with questions. Leave me your number if you want updates of changes. I hope the weather is good. Home phone 251-990-5575. Near time of paddle only I'll have my dumb phone on, 251-454-6084. Bring pfd, sun screen, and (if you want) a snack. Nancy Ward

Friday, August 18 at 6pm - TGIF Paddle
What:  TGIF Sunset Paddle on Chickasaw Creek
When:   Friday, August 18, 6PM

Where: Off The Hook Marina and Grill  
621 US-43, Chickasaw, AL 36611
Phone: (251) 422-3412

Are you ready for a short, relaxing paddle to kick off the weekend? Come join us for a sunset paddle exploring the creeks around the marina. After the sun goes down, we’ll have burgers and beer at this waterside restaurant. There is a launch fee, so bring cash.  MUST bring all USCG required safety gear

DIRECTIONS: From I-65, Take Exit 13 to 158 Saraland. Turn right on 43 Saraland Blvd, and look for a gravel lot marina on the right before you cross the bridge. 


July Meeting
There will be no club meeting in July due to July 4th falling on our regular scheduled monthly meeting.   Everyone have a safe and Happy Independence Day!

June Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall, Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.   Todd Durren, MBCKC member, will do a slideshow presentation entitled "Canoe and Kayak Camping in Lower Alabama:  My Favorite Five."
Everyone invite a friend and come out to learn about Todd's favorite paddling destinations and to share your own favorites!

Paddles

Saturday, July 22 9am   Pelican Point Paddle

Meet at Pelican Point end of (county road ?) 1 at 9 am. After we launch we can decide where to paddle based on waves, wind, etc. Choices are into Mobile or Weeks Bay---keeping near the shoreline---or into nearby marsh/wetlands close to our Weeks Bay Area. Bring PFD, water, sunscreen, hat, and anything else you think you'd like including a snack. Throughout the week I can be reached via email at wardn@earthlink.net or at home phone 251-990-5575. Just before the Paddle only call my dumb phone 251-454-6084. Letting me know you hope/plan to come does not oblige you , but I can notify you of any changes. The weather looks great for Saturday! Nancy Ward

Saturday, July 22 7am Hurricane Landing to Byrnes Lake
Flash paddle! Saturday, 07/21 at 7am.
Jarod is paddling and you are invited. Shuttle paddle from Hurricane Landing to Byrnes Lake. Be at Byrnes Lake 7am to leave a few vehicles and head to launch site. Probable route is to leave Hurricane Landing headed North, cross the Tensaw via the gas line cut, then head South on Big Briar Creek going back into the Tensaw with a stop on Gravine Island before going to Byrnes to take out. Bring all safety gear, snacks and fluids.
 


Friday, June 16 -   Todd's TGIF Paddle Party 
6 pm Friday, June 16       LAUNCH FEE:  $3
Off the Hook Marina and Grill in Chickasaw
Address: 621 US-43, Chickasaw, AL 36611

Bring your kayak or canoe to this new restaurant in Chickasaw. It has plenty of parking and is right on the water. We’ll paddle around Chickasabogue Creek. Must have PFD and whistle.  Suggested:  Water and insect repellent (just in case!)  Bring a headlamp for visibility, and stick around for beer and po boys later!

Events

June  - Grandman Triathlon - June 3rd   - Need volunteers!!!  
Kayakers needed for water support for the swim portion of the race.  If you are interested, contact Harriet at hvk1457@aol.com

 June 3rd - Paddle Skedaddle -
Spend the morning on the water racing (or moseying) this 1.5 mile course with your family or as an individual! There will be awards, lots of fair games & concessions on the grounds!
Funds raised will go to support the University of South Alabama Wesley Foundation.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddle-skedaddle-2017-tickets-32696623481
August 5th - 5th Annual Weeks Bay Pelican Paddle - For more info:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-weeks-bay-foundation-pelican-paddle-canoe-and-kayak-race-tickets-33896727023
Water/Ways - Smithsonian Exhibit - November 18,2017 - January 6, 2018 - The Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibition dives into water--an essential component of life on our planet, environmentally, culturally, and historically.
 

Monday, March 06, 2017

May Meeting - special announcement


MBCKC May 2nd Meeting. - A Night of Paddling Films - Tensaw Theater -Five Rivers

The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club and the Mobile Bay Sierra Club are proud to present the second annual  A Night of Paddling Films.    The purpose of  "A Night of Paddling Films" is to share our love of paddling and the outdoors, to inspire people to get out and explore waterways both local and afar, and to encourage others to appreciate the wild places and the heritage and culture associated with those places.  We are excited to announce that our two feature films are:
Dale Sanders - From Source to Sea:
At age 80, Dale Sanders, a Mississippi River Angel, sets out to be the oldest man to ever paddle the entire 2,400 miles of the Mississippi River.   Follow Sanders along his journey from the headwaters at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the salt waters beyond the Louisiana coast as he not only strives to set a record of being the oldest person to complete the feat, but also raises money for childhood diabetes while doing so.
10 minute intermission (more refreshments)
Paddle for the North - six mates-six rivers-three canoes-two months:
Deep in the Canadian North, six young men embarked on an epic 933-mile adventure. It was certain to be a mighty test of endurance, determination and friendship.  What they didn’t expect was the impact of the stories from the First Nations families. This chance encounter showed the team that the Peel Watershed debate is not just about protecting the environment, but also a way of life.

Special Meeting time: Show begins 6:30pm sharp.   Arrive 6:15 pm for refreshments - each film is approximately 55 minutes .
NOTE:  FIVE RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER AND THEIR STAFF WORK HARD TO ACCOMMODATE GROUPS SUCH AS OURS FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS, EVENTS AND MORE.  THERE IS NO ENTRANCE FEE TO THE PARK,  AND OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND (free canoe & kayak launch, beautiful wooded trails, wildlife viewing, picnic areas, exhibits and more).   WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY TO UTILIZE, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION.   THERE WILL BE A DONATION BOX AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE THEATER AND WE REQUEST THAT EACH FAMILY MAKE A DONATION OF $5 OR MORE.  WE WILL PRESENT THIS GIFT OFFERING TO FIVE RIVERS AS A WAY OF SAYING "THANK YOU!".  



Events




May 13th - Creekfest   for more info:  http://www.creekfest.org/

May 27th - Mobile Yacht Club SUPCUP - Join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Saturday May 27th at the beautiful Mobile Yacht Club for our first annual SUPCUP. The SUPCUP is open to stand up paddle boards, kayaks and open canoes. Registration will begin at 9 and the race will start promptly at 11.

The entry fee is $25 which includes participation in the race, a limited edition SUPCUP 2017 T-shirt and a sandwich and beverage post-race. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Friends and family are welcome to come cheer on participants while enjoying the amazing views from the yacht club. Food and beverages can also be purchased from the dining room in the club.

For sponsorship opportunities or questions about registration please contact:
Stacey Brandau
stacey.brandau@lls.org
251.406.8471

June  - Grandman Triathlon - June 3rd   - Need volunteers!!!  Kayakers needed for water support for the swim portion of the race.  If you are interested, contact Harriet at hvk1457@aol.com

August 5th - 5th Annual Weeks Bay Pelican Paddle - For more info:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-weeks-bay-foundation-pelican-paddle-canoe-and-kayak-race-tickets-33896727023

Water/Ways - Smithsonian Exhibit - November 18,2017 - January 6, 2018 - The Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibition dives into water--an essential component of life on our planet, environmentally, culturally, and historically.



Paddles

Full Moon Paddle - Possible Full Moon Paddle Tuesday, May 9th  - watch website for future postings



April Meeting
The next meeting is Tuesday, April 4th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall.  MBCKC members will present on the Silver River Paddle trip that they just did three days prior to the meeting.   We will also discuss the MBCKC Annual Paddling Film Festival which will be held on May 2nd.

Paddles
April 1 - 2 - Silver River/Ocala FL   for details call 463-4233 (Tracy) 

April 9Yancy Bay paddle.  Harriet is paddling to Yancy Bay tomorrow (Sunday) and everyone is invited.   Launch at Buzbee's Fish Camp (Hwy 225) at 10am.  We will paddle to Yancy Bay to check out the new camping platform.  Must bring all paddling safety gear.  Bring snacks and fluids.  

Events
April 7th - BluzCruz   for more info:  http://www.bluzcruz.com/

April 8th - Apple Snail Roundup -  Langham Park 9-11am -   for more info:   http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/apple-snail-round-up/


April 22nd -The Great Drift -   Free paddling event that promotes the Dog River Scenic Blueway, for more info:  http://dogriver.org/events/great-drift-paddle/

April 22nd - Chickasha Bogue Paddle - April 22nd - For more info:  http://cityofchickasaw.org/recreation/chickasha-bogue-paddle/

April 22nd -  Pascagoula Run - Celebrating one of the last, largest free flowing river in the United States  for more info:   https://www.facebook.com/events/251393808632526/ 

April 29th - Delta Woods & Water Expo:  for more info:  http://www.deltawoodsandwatersexpo.com/

Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Annual Paddling Film Festival - Tuesday, May 2

May 13th - Kayak Race and Fly Creek Fun Paddle -  A 2 mile race off the beach of the Fairhope Yacht Club with a fun paddle through Fly Creek in Fairhope immediately following! Perfect for all ages! Bring your kayak, or let us know if you need one. All registered paddlers will recieve an event tshirt, goodie bag, breakfast and race winners will receive a special award hand painted by Children's Hospital patients!      http://give.childrensal.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=101762