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September Notes and Paddles

October Meeting:
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7pm (Tensaw Theater/Five Rivers Delta Resource Center). Anna Keene of the Alabama Coastal Foundation will give her previously scheduled presentation on their organization and some specifics of the Coastwatch program (which could give us kayakers a chance to volunteer for specific duties in different areas of the coast). She will also discuss the Osprey Trail they are currently working on.

It is time to renew Recreation Permits for Eglin AFB (Boiling Creek Paddles)
Passes expire Sept. 30th. New passes will begin being issued on Sept. 23; you can mail your info and payments in now to avoid delays. They will begin processing permits on Sept.23. The fee is still $10. If renewing, please include a copy of your old permit if possible. Also, the following must be included: Name, Address, DOB, phone # of each person obtaining a permit. Checks can be made payable to Jackson Guard. For mailing address, click on the appropriate link to the right. For further information, call (850)882-4164.

MBCKC T-Shirts Coming Soon. Pre-Order Only no stock carried.
It's been 5 years since the club had shirts made - time to do it again. Cost is determined by the number of shirts that are ordered, but $12 each will be the high end, and possibly as low as $9 each on the bottom, based on quantity ordered.
Harriet King-Ingraham will be handling this exchange. Please stay posted for further details. But this much has already been decided:
-Authentic Pigment is the shirt brand - they tend to run loose in size and do not shrink. This is the brand that Five Rivers Outfitters has at their store - stop by to see how the sizing is if you want.
-There will be 2 or 3 colors from which to choose.
-Harriet REALLY needs the money up-front, and is asking, initially for $12 per shirt - she will refund any difference, if the cost is less.
-MBCKC has NO treasury, so there is no up-charge on these shirts - just base cost. All money exchange is with Harriet, so any checks must be made out to Harriet King-Ingraham. Do NOT make out checks to MBCKC, as there is no bank account to support this.
-Hoping to have the orders placed immediately after the November meeting ... so you can have your shirt at the December meeting !!!
-Stay tuned for updates.........

September's Meeting Notes:
Steve Delker, USCG Auxiliary, held a briefing on paddling safety. He covered many important topics such as wearing the proper pfd (life jacket), wearing appropriate clothing (for both weather and visibility), having enough food, water, supplies, and gear (including rescue/safety gear)for the unexpected, practicing rescue skills, and knowing your physical abilities/limits and paddling within them. One topic discussed was filing a float plan. Click below to see two different printable float plan forms:
http://www.maineseakayakguides.com/floatplan.pdf
or
http://www.seakayakermag.com/PDFs/float_plan.pdf

Thank you Steve for sharing your time with us and reminding us to stay safe on the water!

September Paddles

***rescheduled/ canceled due to weaher Chickasabogue to Brookley Field Paddle, September 20th rescheduled - paddle will now be on Sat. Sept. 27
Contact: Paul Taylor, 648-2962
Launch: Saturday, 20 sept 7am
Notes: We will leave from Chickasabogue Creek and Hwy 43. there is a $3 launch fee. we will end up on Brookley Field next to the Coast Guard base. it is about 15 miles and will take 4 to 5 hours. call me if you are coming as we have to plan a shuttle. paul taylor 648-2962



Sunday, Sept 21 Gunnison Creek Paddle
Leader: Juli Day 377-0054
Launch: 8:30 at Steele Creek Lodge North I-65 to exit 19 Saraland East on Hwy 43. Pass through red light at Pilot Truck stop. Take next left over the RR tracks (there is a Steel Creek Lodge sign on rt on Hwy 43) Cross the RR tracks bear left go 1 to 1 1/2 miles.When you see the sign that says Steele Creek 1/2 mile look for a very sturdy yellow gate.Go through the gate on a gravel tree lined rd down to the boat launch.
Notes: 2-3 hour leisurely paddle. Bring usual paddle gear/drinks/snacks
Call Juli if you plan to go 377-0054


Wednesday, September 24 - Juli's early evening paddle
Contact: Juli Day 377-0054
More info to be announced / watch for updates

Saturday, Sept. 27 - Chickasabogue to Brookley Field Paddle
Contact: Paul Taylor 648-2962
Launch: 7am Chickasabogue Creek & Hwy 43 Launch fee: $3
Notes: we will paddle down the creek to the river, head south through downtown, around McDuffy Island and finally take out at the Coast Guard Base Launch. Please call if you plan to paddle; we must make arrangements to shuttle 648-2962

Sunday, Sept. 28 - Boiling Creek Paddle
Contact: Tracy Lannie 463-4233
Meet: 9am at the I-10 Wilcox Exit (#53)
Notes: David and I will take advantage of the last weekend on our Boiling Creek Permits by paddling Boiling Creek on Sunday, Sept 28. We may even go for a swim. If you have your pass and would like to paddle with us, please call me at 463-4233. We will meet at the Wilcox Exit to caravan to the put-in. This will be a moderate paddle due to the current and the twists of the creek. Please bring all essential gear: pfd, water,snacks. You must call if you plan on coming as our plans may change.Tracy 463-4233

Sunday, Oct 5 - Fish River Paddle
Contact: Nancy Ward
Meet: 1:30 pm Big Daddy's North Parking Lot
Notes: Easy, relaxed paddle with an option to dine at Big Daddy's afterwards. Plan on paddling up Fish River and returning late afternoon. Bring sunscreen, pfd, snacks, fluids, all the usual gear. Must call if you plan on paddling 990-5575 Call 454-6084 on the afternoon of the paddle For directions, click here: http://www.bigdaddysgrill.net/directions.htm

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, Sept 20th - Coastal Cleanup
If you are interested in volunteering for the 21st Annual Coastal Cleanup, click here:
http://www.alcoastalcleanup.com/cleanup-zones/

Saturday, Sept. 27, 12pm-2pm; Alligator Safety w/ kayaker Mike Bosarge:
Mike Bosarge will be speaking at The Five Rivers Delta Resource Center about alligator safety (while in a canoe or kayak) Apprehensive about paddling because you might run across some of the more toothy Delta residents? Be prepared, and know the do's and do not's of alligator safety. For more information, call: 625-0814

Sunday, September 28 - Turtle Derby on the Delta/ Volunteer Kayakers Needed!
Five Rivers Delta Resource Center -a rubber turtle race benefiting Covenant Hosptial, volunteer kayakers needed to help keep the turtles from swimming astray. You must call or email if you plan to volunteer: Shonda: 251.625.0814 or shonda.borden@dcnr.al.gov
for more info on the derby, click here: http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/

October 16 - 19 - Bird Fest
http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com/home.htm

*October 25 - Nov 2 - Third Annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival
which celebrates Southwest Florida's 190 mile marked paddlling trail, The Great Calusa Bluewayfor more information see: http://www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com/

*October - Florida Paddlers Rendezvous Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2008 - MBCAKC has been specifically invited to attend (as well as other out of state groups). This year the Rendezvous will be held at Hillsborough River State Park and is a fun-filled four days of paddling on the Tampa Bay area rivers, estuaries, and the Gulf of Mexico. Reservations are now being accepted. To ensure a spot, make your reservations early!!!!! (for more information, see: http://www.clubkayak.com/rendezvous2008/


MOBILE BAY CANOE & KAYAK CLUB 2nd ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
'"COASTAL IMAGES" November 4th, 2008
Categories : 1. Flora 2. Landscape/Waterscape, 3. Boat (with or without Paddlers)
4. Birds/Wildlife
Share what you see as you paddle the delta, bays, estuaries or many rivers and bayous along the coast. Photographs must be taken while on a paddle in a kayak or canoe. Photographs may be in color or black and white and must be NO Larger than 8x12
No digitally enhanced/altered photographs please
For judging purposes please title your entry
Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the four categories listed above.
Bring your mounted or framed photograph to the November 4th meeting. Entries will be judged by MBCKC members.
Attach the following information to the back of your entry:
Name
Subject
Title
note: one of the purposes of "Coastal Images" is to encourage paddlers to paddle in new and unexplored areas and share the experience with your photographs.