April Meeting
Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club is saddened to announce that our first meeting of 2020, the April 7th meeting, has been canceled. At this time, 5 Rivers has closed all buildings including the Gift Shop, and exhibits to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. They plan to re-open on April 6th, but due to our scheduled guest speaker traveling from out of town, and due to the uncertain future status of COVID-19 and the CDC's recommendations for social distancing, MBCKC made the decision to cancel the meeting. We hope to resume meeting in May. Until then, stay healthy, practice social distancing and paddle.on!

Upcoming 

Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club will not meet during the months of December 2019 - March 2020.  We will return to our regular monthly meetings on April 7, 2020.

November Meeting

Join Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club (MBCKC) on Tuesday, November 5th, at 7:00pm for the last meeting of 2019. The meeting takes place in the Longleaf Room at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. Arrive between 6:30 - 6:45pm for light refreshments / meet and greet.
Our guest speaker is Ryan Gillikin, winning member of the tandem team in the Great Alabama 650, who will share her story of her experience during the Great Alabama 650. Ryan grew up on the Eastern Shore sailing and windsurfing. 15 years ago, she moved to Bay Minette and was introduced to kayaking. She loves to explore the Delta. When asked why she decided to do the Great Alabama 650, she said “I started racing three years ago. The thing I like most about racing is seeing new places and meeting like-minded people. Last year, I completed the Missouri River 340 and was looking for a new challenge. When they introduced the Great Alabama 650, I knew this was the race for me”.
The first annual "Great Alabama 650" took place in September of this year. Hailed as the toughest paddle race in the United States and a test of strength, endurance and mental fortitude, this epic adventure took racers along the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT), the longest river trail in a single state. From rushing whitewater to the ambling river delta, the race challenged even the most experienced paddler.

1Beth Fox

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October Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1st, at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of the Delta Hall/Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.

September Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.


Events

Sept 21st 8am - noon   -  32nd Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup  
Go out and help "get the trash out of the splash!"  For cleanup zones in your area go to:  https://alabamacoastalcleanup.com/cleanupzones/

One of the cleanup zones is Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  It is a "canoe and kayak ONLY cleanup zone".

Also, MBCKC Club Coordinator Tracy Lannie is the zone captain for the Bayou La Batre area.  If you would like to help in this area, contact Tracy at 463-4233

October 5th 9am - 11am  -  Apple Snail Roundup 

Mobile Baykeeper will host an Apple Snail Roundup at Langan Park on Saturday, October 5 9am-11am. Apple Snails are an invasive species that destroy habitat by eating vegetation along streams and river banks. They reproduce at an alarming rate and are able to survive our mild winters. Volunteers will help find and capture adult and juvenile apple snails, as well as remove apple snail eggs. Volunteers with canoes, kayaks, or small boats are a huge plus! Please wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting a little dirty. Cleanup tools, safety items, and drinks are provided. For more info: https://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/

August Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6th, at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.

July Meeting
We will meet on Tuesday, July 2, at 7pm in the Longleaf Room.   Five Rivers.

June Meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 4th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers. 


Events
August 3rd - Weeks Bay Pelican Paddle  for more info:  https://weeksbay.org/events/pelican-paddle/

May Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm in the Longleaf Room at Five Rivers

2019 Meetings - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 
Five Rivers is getting a complete overhaul of their HVAC system in all buildings, so they will not be able to host any meetings or events during January and February. Also,  they will not host any meetings on March 5th due to Mardi Gras.  Rather than trying to reschedule, I have opted to cancel the March meeting and resume monthly meetings in April.  The next meeting will be April 2, 2019 at 7pm.  See you then.  Safe paddling!


December Meeting
In celebration of Christmas and the year end, we will have our annual pot-luck during our regular monthly meeting on December 4th at 7pm in the Longleaf room of Delta Hall / Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  Everyone is welcome.  I (Tracy) will bring a covered dish to share and all the paper products.   Everyone should bring a covered dish or snack to share and their own drinks (non-alcoholic).   Everyone is welcome!

During our meeting, we will make plans for next year's meetings, and we will have a  mini-slideshow presentation and are seeking volunteers from someone who is interested in giving a presentation/slideshow.  If you are interested in presenting, contract Tracy at tracy@thelannies.us.

November Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 6th at 7pm - Longleaf Room of Delta Hall, Five Rivers Resource Center.

October Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2nd in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers. We will share our paddle tales, make announcements on topics that pertain to the local paddling community, and have a mini-slideshow presentation.   Everyone welcome!

Volunteers Needed:
Message from Amy Mayo:  

Hi Kayakers! We are currently in need of additional volunteer Water Safety Kayakers for the 3rd annual Tri-the-Gulf triathlon on October 20th from 6 a.m. to around 9:00 a.m. Your role would be to serve as an on the water rest-stop for swimmers who may need to stop and catch their breath. A custom-designed volunteer T-shirt is included as well as entry to the after party with lots of food and beer🍺 ! So, if you have a few hours to spare on the aforementioned date, I would LOVE to hear from you. Please text or call me directly at 251-490-1892, message me on FB or email me at amymayo@outlook.com. AND, please register as a volunteer by clicking on the following link:
https://trithegulf.racesonline.com/volunteer

We sincerely appreciate any help we can get!! IF YOU READ THIS LENGTHY POST, WE NEED YOU! 👌🏻😉 Please feel free to ask me any further questions and thank you, in advance, for your consideration!

September Meeting
September's meeting has been canceled.  Out next meeting will be on October 2nd. The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2018 in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. 


Paddles
canceled due to weather forecast: Saturday, September 1 - Fish River Paddle:  Meet at Big Daddy’s at 9am Saturday, September 1, 2018.  We’ll paddle upstream (and soon be in the no wake zone) for a couple hours then return.  Optional lunch at  Big Daddy’s.  Call Nancy Ward with questions, 251-990-5575.  (Leave a message if not answer and your call will be returned)

Saturday, Sept 8 - Byrnes Lake Paddle - Jared of MBCKC and Gulf Coast Kayakers is paddling Byrnes Lake:

Saturday, September 8, 2018

8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Byrnes Lake Landing Byrnes Lake Road - Bay Minette

Details

Leisurely paddle out Byrnes Lake, maybe cross the Tensaw to the Gravine Island sand point, and back. Bring water, snacks, PFD, etc...

As always subject to cancellation due to weather conditions.

Events
September 15, 2018 - 31st Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup
https://alabamacoastalcleanup.com/

August Meeting

The next meeting will be held at  7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. Tracy Lannie will give a short presentation on the 3 day 2 night canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that she and David did July 11-13th.    Please come out and share your paddling experiences with us!


Events

July 21st - Gulf Coast Paddle Championship
http://florabama.com/events.html

August 4, 2018 - 6th Annual Pelican Paddle at Weeks Bay -
https://weeksbay.org/events/pelican-paddle/

September 15, 2018 - 31st Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup
https://alabamacoastalcleanup.com/

July Meeting (no meeting)
There will be NO monthly meeting during July.  Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 7th at 7pm in the Longleaf room of Delta Hall at Five Rivers.

June Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 5th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room at Five Rivers.  Come share your paddle reports with us!

May Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 1st at 7pm in the Longleaf Room at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  We will be signing up volunteers to help with the water support of the Grandman Triathlon.  We will have a mini slideshow presentation and talk about recent paddles and recent area paddling events.   

Paddles
May 5 - Juli's Fowl River Paddle - Saturday, May 5th.  Meet at 9am Memories Fish Camp 4901 Fowl River Rd. Theodore (Off Bellingrath Rd).  There is a small launch fee (between $3-5).

Events

May 12 - Fourth Annual Creek Fest   - The fourth annual Creek Fest will take place at Mobile's Tricentennial Park on Saturday May 12, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a celebration of Three Mile Creek, which was the city’s first source of drinking water.

The event will include a cane-pole fishing tournament for ages 16 and under, along with other family-friendly activities. Live music, food and kayak rides also will be part of the half-day event as the natural beauty of one of Mobile’s historic waterways is showcased. Jason Smith, Chief Meterologist with FOX Ten, will serve as the event emcee.

For more info:  http://www.mobile.org/includes/calendar-of-events/4th-Annual-Creek-Fest/17389/

or https://www.facebook.com/events/207755806398254/

April Meeting
We will have a guest speaker from Birmingham Audubon (Mobile Office for the Coastal Program).  She will educate on their local programs and how we can volunteer to help.  MBCKC member, Jared, will do a mini-slideshow presentation on the trip he just led on the Sepulga River.  See you at 7pm Tuesday, April 3rd!


March Meeting
On March 6th, we will have our Annual Paddling Movie Night in the Tensaw Theater of Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  Once again, the Sierra Club will be joining us in hosting this event.  Refreshments will be served starting 6pm and the program will begin at 6:30pm.  

The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club and The Mobile Bay Sierra Club are proud to present the third 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 feature film is Rediscovering North America

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

6:00 -6:25           Refreshments provided by Mobile Bay Sierra Club

6:30 – 7:30          Three different award-winning short films

7:30-7:45            Intermission / Refreshments

7:45 – 8:30         Feature Film:  Rediscovering North America -  A journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.  6 Friends, 9 Months, 10 States, 5 Provinces, 11 Rivers, 5200 Miles, One Continent.   Completed in 240 days

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

April 21st  - 8^th Annual Great Drift
When:  April 21^{st -} 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.

April 28th - 5th Annual Chickasha Bogue Paddle - 

For tickets and Info:  http://events.eventzilla.net/e/5th-annual-chickasha-bogue-paddle-2138940065

Facebook Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/173388716636893/

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

https://www.facebook.com/events/212531562822853/

http://www.cahabariversociety.org/events/guided-float-trips/

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  - 8^th Annual Great Drift
When:  April 21^{st -} 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

https://www.facebook.com/events/212531562822853/

http://www.cahabariversociety.org/events/guided-float-trips/

 

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

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!

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. 

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