Trips and events are organized for the benefit of members and guests of the Houston Canoe Club, Inc. (HCC) and the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Non-ACA members are required to pay $10.00 per person (child or adult) per trip, which is sent to the ACA for Liability Insurance
The coordinator of each trip or event reserves the right to limit the size of the group or to refuse participation to anyone who does not possess the skill levels or safety equipment required for that trip. Trip coordinators are volunteers and merely organize the trip for the convenience of the participants and do not make any warranties of safety. Although ACA safety guidelines are adhered to, paddling contains unforeseen risks and participants are ultimately responsible for their own safety.
A Waiver of Liability will be required to be signed by all participants.
Posting:
To post a trip or an event to this list, click on "Post Trip" in the floating menu and please fill in the form completely. To arrange for a custom posting, please call HCC's Fleet Captain, Bob Price, at 281-870-1403 or email him at bobprice@swbell.net.
Trips & Events
Memorial Day - Sabine River Inclusive Dates: May 24-26 This is a float trip down the lovely, sandy Sabine River. It is a true wilderness camp-out-of-the-canoe trip. After unloading and shuttling Saturday morning, we will get on the river. We will camp on a sandy beach for the night, then Sunday morning, pack up and go further down the river to another sandy beach to camp. Monday, Memorial Day, we will go on to the take out, pack up and leave.
Some of us will camp under the Tx Hwy 63 / La Hwy 8 bridge Friday night, May 25.
Everyone who signs up who has never done this trip before will get a packet that will include maps, suggested gear and other useful information. This trip is a total of 28 miles over 3 days.
Beginner: Familiarity with basic strokes and can make the boat go straight on flat water typically experienced on Armand Bayou, can maneuver the boat on slowly moving water, is aware of basic river safety and can confidently avoid hazards and strainers frequently experienced on Texas' Colorado River or the Buffalo Bayou at a modest flow rate.
HCC Memorial Day Buddy Paddle Inclusive Dates: 5/26 This Memorial Day Paddle is the ninth (minus 2 due to high water) of a very successful, well attended and enjoyable 6 mile day trip on the Colorado River near Columbus Texas. The putin, at business 71 and the Colorado River on the north side of Columbus, is only a half mile from the take out, SH90 and the Colorado River on the east side of Columbus. Plan to arrive at 8:30, prepare your boat and shuttle your car so that we might launch by 10:00.
Colummbus is some 70 mile west of Houston on interstate 10.
Experienced HCC paddlers will be along to give paddling tips and to provide all sorts of information to newbies about paddling. We will paddle a few miles, stop for a break on an island, then resume for a few more miles, then stop at a beach for lunch. Be sure to bring a lunch and a desire to make new friends and renew old ones. Watermelon and a cake will be provided. The trip will end by 2pm.
The day can be hot, so be sure to bring sunscreen, ample water and a hat. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are manditory and must be worn.
This is a moving water trip, and the ability to control your boat is a prerequisite. However, if this is your first time in a paddle boat, being able to accept and follow instruction is manditory.
This trip is an American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctioned event. As such, those who are not ACA members will be required to pay $5.00. To expedite the signin procedure at the putin, please read and complete the liability waivers located at HCC Memnbership Application / Waiver.
There is no trip size limitation, but be sure to contact the trip coordinator prior to Memorial Day.
SYOTR
Beginner: Familiarity with basic strokes and can make the boat go straight on flat water typically experienced on Armand Bayou, can maneuver the boat on slowly moving water, is aware of basic river safety and can confidently avoid hazards and strainers frequently experienced on Texas' Colorado River or the Buffalo Bayou at a modest flow rate.
11th Annual Neches River Rendezvous
http://www.visitlufkin.com/events/annual/nechesriver/ Inclusive Dates: Jun 7 The Neches River Rendezvous is a scenic 10- mile canoe trip down the Neches River. This nature tourism event is designed to promote outdoor wilderness adventure in East Texas by framing a day of paddling with the panoramic Neches River and surrounding forests. We invite you to come and enjoy the beauty, challenge, and pleasure of the Neches River!
Caution
This event is moderately strenuous. Participation in the 10-mile canoe trip may consist of, but not be limited to: climbing up and down steep slopes, potential portage around obstructions in the river, and paddling. Temperatures are generally very warm in East Texas this time of year with highs reaching the 90ºF+ mark. Please evaluate your physical condition prior to this activity and use common sense and caution while participating in this event
Extreme:
Texas Water Safari
World's Toughest Canoe Race Inclusive Dates: June 14 Are you tough? Are you looking for a race that tests your limits? This is the race that could change your life and your ideas about who you are and what you are capable of achieving!
Legend has it that back around 1962 Frank Brown and Bill “Big Willie” George decided to take their “V” bottom boat, without a motor, from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. They accomplished their mission in about 30 days and decided that other people should have the opportunity to experience the same journey. So in 1963 they set up the first Texas Water Safari. Today, the Safari is a long, tough, nonstop marathon canoe-racing adventure, traversing 260 miles of challenging rivers and bays. Many participants enter the race with no intention of winning, but with the goal of joining the elite group of finishers and earning the coveted Texas Water Safari finishers patch.
Entrants must have all provisions, equipment, and items of repair in their possession at the start of the race. Nothing may be purchased by or delivered to a team during the race except water and/or ice. Each team must have a team captain (18 years old, or older) whose responsibility it is to follow the team by vehicle (car, truck, or bicycle) to keep track of their location and condition and give them water and/or ice. During the Safari, teams may not receive any assistance of any kind except verbal. Teams must be prepared to travel day and night, nonstop to be competitive, but teams who occasionally stop for sleep have been able to reach mandatory checkpoint cutoff times and cross the finish line by the 100 hour deadline.
Paddle Wyoming near the Tetons Inclusive Dates: Jul 14 - 18 Come paddle some of the most beautiful rivers and area of the country. A different river a day. Class II - IV. There's a possiblity that this could be a two week paddle. More details later
Advanced: Paddles a white water boat (canoe or kayak) has mastered basic strokes and maneuvers, adept at playing & surfing, is able to run Class 3 rapids confidently, but challenged by Class 4. Able to self-rescue or Eskimo roll in Class 3 rapids and able to assist in rescues. Reads water quickly & accurately.
The 5th Annual Colorado River 100 Inclusive Dates: August 30 The 5th Annual Colorado River 100 will take place on August 30, 2008 (Labor Day Weekend)
Registration will open on March 1, 2008 (Midnight)
Last years race sold out with 160 boats and 250 racers.
Changes to early entries can be made up to 2 weeks prior to the event... so reserve your spot as soon as possible to be sure you are on the starting line.
Labor Day - Sabine River Inclusive Dates: September 1 - 3 This is a float trip down the lovely sandy Sabine River. This trip is much bigger than the Memorial Day trip, with many different groups, fireworks and a margarita barge.
Saturday morning we unload our gear, shuttle the vehicles to the take out, then come back to the put in to start the trip down the river. Saturday night we camp on a sandy beach, then Sunday morning we pack up and do it again. Monday morning, we paddle to the take out, pack up and leave.
Some of us will camp out under the Tx Hwy 63 / La Hwy 8 bridge on Friday night, August 31.
Everyone who signs up will get a packet that will include maps, suggested gear and other information.
Beginner: Familiarity with basic strokes and can make the boat go straight on flat water typically experienced on Armand Bayou, can maneuver the boat on slowly moving water, is aware of basic river safety and can confidently avoid hazards and strainers frequently experienced on Texas' Colorado River or the Buffalo Bayou at a modest flow rate.
Annual Huntsville State Park Get Together Inclusive Dates: 10/10 - 10/12 This is an annual event. We will get to the park to check in Friday evening. Saturday, we will have a morning paddle around the lake, do other activities around the park during the day, then have a pot luck supper Saturday evening. Sunday, we will have another morning paddle, then pack up to go home.
5th Annual Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta
Inclusive Dates: Oct 18 - 19 Pasadena Lake, Clear Lake Park (east of NASA on Nasa Rd 1)
Pure dragon boat racing! Finish your season in style with the last dragon boat race of the year at the Gulf Coast International Regatta. This year our focus is on Breast Cancer Survivors and we’re trying to lure as many BCS teams to Houston to compete as possible.
Held on the calm waters of Clear Lake Park, next to NASA, we will have divisions for amateur and experienced teams of men's, women's, mixed, BCS and junior crews.
The Texas Dragon Boat Association will be providing qualified steers persons as well as qualified race officials with a photo finish.
If you are not paddling as part of a team, then you are missing out on a truly wonderful experience. Check our sponsorship opportunities for how you can get involved.
Check the links page for more paddling opportunities.
Pool Sessions
Come and practice kayak and canoe rolls, braces, and wet exits in a pool. Pool sessions are held at 7:00p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at the Dads Club pool in Houston located on the Katy Freeway (I-10) at 1006 Voss Road. On the 4th Monday, spotters are sometimes designated for helping perfect the kayak roll. For insurance purposes, all participants must wear a helmet and the ACA requires all participants to wear a personal floatation device (PFD). Pool Fees are $6 for those that are an ACA member and a member of BCWC, HCC, or HASK. $16.00 for all others.
For more information, please contact Christy Long by phone at 281-485-3046 or by email at clong1956@sbcglobal.net.
Canoes are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in it as a part of their own silence.
John Graves, Goodbye to a River
Coordinating an HCC Sanctioned Trip
To be an HCC Sanctioned trip, the following conditions must be met. HCC trips are also sanctioned by the ACA and therefore covered by ACA liability insurance
Trip Coordinators should announce the trip at a General Meeting.
Post trip a minimum of three (3) days prior to the event.
Use the "Post Trip" feature on this page. The "Post Trip" link is in the floating menu.
The trip dates, location, promotional and safety information should be provided. The following statement should be included. "Non-ACA members will be required to pay for liability insurance."
Specific details, such as, the location and time of the putin should be withheld to encourage potential participants to contact the Trip Coordinator and to avoid any surprises at the putin.
The information provided in this form is sent to the fleet captain who reviews and edits it if necessary. Upon approval, the trip is posted to the trip list.
To maximize exposure and therefore participation, the same information should be submitted to HCC's email list server.
A minimum of three (3) participants is required to constitute an HCC trip.
Trips coordinated by Coordinators are tallied.
Mileage is accumulated for participants of an HCC sanctioned trip.
A Non-Sanctioned Trip or Private Trip
Private trips may be announced at a general meeting.
Private trips may be posted to HCC's email List Server
Any written information passed out at a General Meeting or posted to the List Server should make it clear that the trip is not sanctioned by the HCC.
Non-sanctioned / private trips will not receive mileage.
Coordinator Responsibilities
Be familiar with the place you plan to paddle, including put-ins, take-outs, and safe water levels. Obtain maps when needed.
Determine the meeting time and place and camping arrangements. Post this information to the HCC's website and to HCC's list server. Encourage potential participants to contact you. If trip is private, be sure to indicate so.
When participants contact you, assess whether their skill level is appropriate for the planned paddle. Use this contact to encourage non-members of HCC/ACA to become members. Note that Membership Forms and Waivers are on the website under the "Membership" button.
Prepare a list of names and phone numbers of the participants, so they can be contacted if necessary.
Be prepared to cancel the trip or to suggest an alternate trip when necessary.
Limit the number of participants if necessary (minimum size is 3); divide into smaller groups when needed.
Screen participants for appropriate skills and equipment. When necessary, politely refuse to take any paddler who you feel is not qualified. This is necessary for the safety of the participant and of others who might have to rescue that participant.
Prepare a list of names with contact information of participants so they can be contacted if necessary due to inclement weather for example.
At the putin, check all boaters for proper equipment, i.e., life jackets, spare paddles, flotation, water, sunscreen, hats, first aid kits, spare clothes, throw bags, helmets.
Complete the HCC Trip Participant List. Have all guests (non-ACA members) sign a waiver and collect the guest fee from all non-ACA members. The Trip Participant Form and Waivers are below.
Have a meeting at the putin to: introduce the participants, briefly describe the plans and organization of the paddle, anticipated hazards and risks, safety signals, the lunch spot, etc.
Assign a lead boat. The lead boater should know the waterway. Assign a skilled paddler as sweep boat to bring up the rear.
If the group is large, divide it into smaller groups, each with lead and sweep boaters.
Station skilled boaters downstream at hard or long rapids, ensuring that throw bags are available when needed.
Respect the rights of property owners and when convenient, be sure to thank them for access and camping privileges.
Submit the Participant List, guest fees and waivers to the HCC Fleet Captain.
Participant List and Waivers
Canoes are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in it as a part of their own silence.
John Graves, Goodbye to a River
Participant Responsibilities
Don't attend a trip beyond your ability. The trip coordinator may ask you not to participate if your equipment and skills aren't appropriate for the trip. This is for your safety as well as that of others who might have to rescure you.
Call the trip coordinator at least 3 days before the trip. Call if you decide not to go.
Make sure you understand all aspects of the trip. Do not hesitate to ask questions.
Be on time at the meeting place.
Bring all necessary equipment, including a Personal Floation Device (PFD), paddle, water, food, a change of clothing, etc. Be prepared for bad weather.
Wear your PFD at all times when on the water.
Follow instructions and commands of the trip coordinator.
Keep the boat ahead of and behind you in sight at all times. If you lose sight, stop, wait, then search.
If a boat overturns, all paddlers should stop and wait until swimmers are ready to move on.
Use good judgement in deciding whether to run a water feature such as a dam or rapid. Be particularly cautious when approaching a low bridge. It is better to walk around an obstacle, no mater what others do, if you do not feel confident that you can navigate safely.
Leave the river and environs cleaner than you found them.
Canoes are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in it as a part of their own silence.
John Graves, Goodbye to a River
Skill Levels
The following description of skill levels have been adapted for the rivers generally found in Texas. These references to rivers assumes a normal flow without excessive wind and do not apply at high flow rates.
Blank
Select this level if this portion is not to appear in the listing.
Custom
This entry is for custom entries, which can be entered here. Be sure to delete this text before describing the skills required for your trip.
Neophyte
Never paddled before.
Beginner
Familiarity with basic strokes and can make the boat go straight on flat water typically experienced on Armand Bayou, can maneuver the boat on slowly moving water, is aware of basic river safety and can confidently avoid hazards and strainers frequently experienced on Texas' Colorado River or the Buffalo Bayou at a modest flow rate.
Novice
Confidently execute basic strokes plus ability to manage high wind and high waves typically experienced on Lake Charlotte or Sheldon reservoir, can maneuver the boat on moving water plus familiarity with eddy turns, ferrying and surfing in Class 2 rapids typically found on the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers. Able to read the river and identify the eddy line.
Intermediate
Knowledge of basic whitewater safety, self-rescue and rescue such as retrieving a pinned boat. Able to capture small eddies, run Class 2 rapids confidently, but challenged by Class 3 rapids such as Cottonseed on the San Marcos at say 300-400 cfs.
Advanced
Paddles a white water boat (canoe or kayak) has mastered basic strokes and maneuvers, adept at playing & surfing, is able to run Class 3 rapids confidently, but challenged by Class 4. Able to self-rescue or Eskimo roll in Class 3 rapids and able to assist in rescues. Reads water quickly & accurately.
Expert
Able to paddle most Class 5 rapids successfully, can very reliably roll & self-rescue, possess strong rescue skills and is very adept at playing & surfing.
Extreme
The ultimate level of skill, knowledge & judgment acquired by years of paddling highly challenging rivers. Makes Class 4 rapids look easy, rarely makes a mistake in Class 5 or above.
Canoes are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in it as a part of their own silence.
John Graves, Goodbye to a River
Post Trip
To post a trip, please provide the following information. Please use this form as the editing required for custom postings has become too time consuming. This posting will be sent to HCC's Fleet Captain / Webmaster for review before being posted.
Canoes are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in it as a part of their own silence.