Check Meetup.com/Lansing-Oar-and-Paddle-Club for most recent updates
Wearing a properly fastened life jacket is mandatory while on the water during all Club activities. A liability waiver must be signed and on file annually. Bring the boat or equipment needed for the activity. The trip leader is identified for each event.
January 1
34th Annual New Year’s Day Paddle (Jay)
February 14-15
Au Sable River Overnight (Jay) cancelled due to ice at takeout
March 17
Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
21
Spring Equinox Paddle on the Red Cedar River—Williamston to Harris Nature Center (Jay)
31
Paddle the Red Cedar River— Harris Nature Center to Ferguson Park (Jay)
April 4
Whitewater practice on the Huron River (George)
11
Paddle the Red Cedar River— Ferguson Park to Kruger’s Landing (Jay)
21
Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
25
Grand River—Hugh Heward Challenge, KrugerLegacy.com (not a LOAPC event)
May 16
Red Cedar River Water Trail Day– Williamston (not a LOAPC event)
17
Open Water Kayak Warm-up on Lake Lansing (Rich)
19
Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
23
14th Annual Memorial Day Paddle and Picnic—Lake Ovid (Jay)
June
Pop-up
Local Paddling, check Meet-up
6
Bike riding in the Lansing Area (Tony)
7
Open Water Kayak Practice on Lake Lansing (Rich)
16
Club Meeting location TBD
20
Summer Solstice Paddle on the Red Cedar River—Williamston to Harris (Jay)
27
Paddle Bruin Lake to Hell and Back—Pinckney Recreation Area (Tony)
30
Paddle the Red Cedar River—Harris to Ferguson Park (Jay)
July
Pop-up
Local Paddling, check Meet-up
25
Grand River – Onondaga to Eaton Rapids (Jay)
August
Pop-up
Local Paddling, check Meet-up
9
Volunteer at the Mason Optimist Club Youth Sports Event, Burchfield Park
14-16
Paddle the Chain of Lakes—Antrim county (Tony)
18
Grand River – Eaton Rapids to McNamara (Jay)
Sept 5
14th Annual Labor Day Paddle and Picnic (Jay)
11-13
Camp and Paddle near Traverse City (Tony) Boardman River limited options due to closures and flood damage. Other locations TBA
12
Whitewater play in the rapids of the Boardman River (George) TBD
18-19
Paddle Antrim—PaddleAntrim.com (not a LOAPC event)
18-20
Pine River-Michigan Paddlers Rendezvous (not a LOAPC event)
26-27
Northern Lake Michigan Open Water Paddle (Rich)
Oct 1-4
Au Sable River overnight paddling and camping: Commins Flats to Five Channels Dam (Jay)
20
Club Meeting—Annual Business Meeting and Elections at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
Nov 17
Club Meeting at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
27
36th Annual Turkey Float (Jay)
Dec 15
Club Christmas Party at Jimmy’s Pub, East Lansing
19
34th Annual Solstice Paddle (Jay)
Schedule may change.
*Pop-up – Dates posted on Meetup closer to the actual activity
Welcome to another new year in the greater Lansing area. We are putting together a calendar of paddling and other outdoor activities for 2026. Our next Club meeting is on Tuesday January 20 at 7:00 pm at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing. There will be a presentation on “Kayaking the Slate Islands” by Nathan Werner. Come and listen to Nathan’s account of the excitement of paddling in Lake Superior during his trip in September 2025.
There will be a Paddling Film Festival on Friday, February 27, 7:00 pm at the Hannah Center, 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing. Watch over two hours of films including the award winners for Best Canoeing Film, Best Instructional Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary at the 2026 Paddling Film Festival. Tickets are available now.
The Quiet Adventures Symposium is on Saturday February 28, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, at the Pavilion at MSU. They need volunteers. Sign up today at Volunteers – Quiet Adventures, or send an email asking how you can help to info@quietadventures.org. Even if you can’t volunteer, you can still help by sharing their posts on social media and talking to your neighbors. Check out their website for the latest on QAS.
Keep your kayak skills sharp by attending The Power of Water pool sessions in Howell and Eaton Rapids this winter. There are two ways to join them for pool sessions. Buy a Season Pool Pass which gives you access to every open pool session all season long, plus 50% off all pool classes. It’s the best fit if you know you’ll be at the pool regularly. Even if the Season Pool Pass is sold out, you can still come to the pool. Simply register for the open pool date or class that works best for you. Or register for a Drop-in Pool or Class. Anyone can register for individual open pool sessions or sign up for a class at any time if there is space available.
Learn more about the Qajaq Training Camp by talking to Rich Bailey at the Qajaq exhibit at the Quiet Adventures Symposium. The camp will be held August 27-30 and is for paddlers of all skill levels and interests focusing on Greenlandic paddling, ropes, and rolls. The camp is held at Camp Lookout, near Frankfort. Registration opens on April 1. This is a popular event so register early.
Peter Frank has completed his journey clockwise from Escanaba, MI to the Atlantic Ocean, down the coast to Florida, back up the middle of the country through the Mississippi Valley, and back to Escanaba. Beginning in June 2024, he completed this 6,000 mile journey in October 2025. Visit his blog, The Tales of Peter Frank, to learn about his trip. Peter will be presenting at the Quiet Adventures Symposium 2026.
(photo by Michael T. Brady)
This time of the year many of us will be skiing or hiking or just “hibernating” until spring. There is a special beauty in the winter, but it does not come without risk. Proper planning, preparation and training are important to enjoy the outdoors today and tomorrow.
(photo by Jay Hanks)Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks
Finding One’s Way to Water’s Edge
By Joe Lessard Raised on a farm near Bellaire, Michigan. I have a warm spot for many of the tourist destinations popular to that area. To name one, Shorts Brewing Company. Shorts is definitely an authentic place to visit and enjoy friends and family. For me there is an additional richness to a visit there. The reason being it stimulates vivid memories of my childhood and growing up in that part of the state. I remember earlier times. For example, the Bellaire hardware, local grocery, drugstore and US Post office building. These are the business precursors to Shorts Brewing. These buildings have been renovated, now under one roof, to house the bustling business that has put Bellaire on the map as a destination for northern Michigan tourism and recreation. It dates me a bit, but the soda fountain at Durkee’s Drugstore offered a generously thick malted milkshake for 25 cents. The service staff, likely a member of the Durkee family or a schoolmate employed, filled your glass from the large mixing tumbler and left the remainder on the counter for you to refill your glass. The straw’s slurping sound alerted you of the need to reload. Fountain drinks, Coke was a popular one, if my memory serves, were a nickel. For a penny more you could have a squirt of your favorite flavoring added…ah Cherry Coke or sometimes chocolate!
There is more downtown Bellaire I could reminisce. Dr. Rodger’s office, the only “medical provider” to use today’s terminology in the world, as far as I knew then. Generally, if you were sick for $5.00 “Doc” Rodgers carried his medicine bag to your home bedside. The flying red horse on the corner Mobile gasoline station sign will remain forever emblazoned. The Methodist church my family attended and the place my bride Kathy and I were married. It also was the location of many a boy scout pancake breakfasts held to finance our annual canoe expeditions into Canada. For several of my teenage years running, the troupe departed for the wilds of Canada the very spring day following the end of school, towing the troupe’s mostly Grumman and Alumacraft inventory to northern waters. A few of my buddies stayed up all night shooting pool in my basement. We knew we could get plenty of sleep during the long trip north.
My scouting adventures and canoe trips to Canada built friendships and created many lasting memories. It also helped build in me a mind-set and ethos about the enjoyment and benefits of water recreation in the form of nonmotorized craft. I’ve experienced and enjoyed both motorized and nonmotorized across my life. Water skiing is physically challenging and skipping the waves in a powerboat affords a certain exhilaration. Over the long term, however, nothing beats the multiple layers of gratification of paddling; the paced and relaxing process moving yourself in your watercraft one paddle stroke at a time. It melds perfectly the many pleasurable aspects of being out of doors, in my opinion. Close to nature and the natural surroundings, experiencing animal and plant life up close but not intrusive is a delight. One’s senses are excited harmoniously as you are both amazed and humbled as to the richness of our creator’s painter’s palette and unending sculpture. I’ve often considered that paddling, as a recreational hobby, benefits in complementary ways. Paddling is great physical exercise making you stronger and more limber for the doing. Staying reasonably strong and limber greatly enhances the joy of paddling for the obvious benefits of endurance, and maneuverability and safety. As we age, we can select paddling venues that meet our physical capacity.
Paddling can be a pleasurable social event with friends and even new acquaintances off for a short day adventure or for multiple days and nights working together and the company of others. Whether it is out on your own or just putting a bit of distance between you and others on the water, paddling can accommodate a moment to be a solo adventurer, as well. Alone with your thoughts and nature, if you require some recharge time.
Each of us has a story to tell for our interest in being a member of the Lansing Oar and Paddle Club. Upon my retirement for MSU Extension I was certain that picking up the intensity of my paddling interest would be an important component of retirement years. I’ll always remember fondly my call to the person listed as President of LOAPC and the friendly and encouraging voice of Jay Hanks assuring me I’d be welcome to join. He was right, of course, and glad I did.
Joe with his family on Grass River.
New Year’s Resolutions for Paddlers
Here are some possible New Year’s resolutions for paddlers. Pick and choose the ones that apply to your situation.
Practice kayak rolls more. Why is the first half so easy, but the second half is so hard?
Get better gear. A drysuit held together with half a roll of duct tape is no longer dry.
Paddle new locations. Lake Lansing is fun, but the kid collecting launch fees sees you so often that he’s wondering why he’s not on your Christmas card list.
Sell some boats. It may be time if you use that whitewater boat as a cradle for the latest kid…or grandkid.
Buy some boats. Especially if the best boat you have matches that drysuit in item 2.
Find new recipes for camping. Nobody wants yet another bowl of Ramen Noodle Surprise at the Saturday night potluck around the campfire.
Talk less about paddling. Your co-workers are probably tired about hearing for the 12th time of your first descent of Grizzly Bear Falls in the wilds of the Yukon. Some of them can probably do the presentation as well as you by now.
Take a friend paddling. Maybe soon you can become tired of their stories of first descents.
If number 7 doesn’t apply to you, put together a presentation for the club. Jay’s been doing this for 137 years now – he may want a break!
These are only two of the articles where you can read more details. Peter Frank has joined the ranks of Verlen Kruger with his outstanding accomplishments and humble insights on his journey. Reading Peter Franks’s daily thoughts in his reports, he never bragged, exaggerated, or tried to draw attention to himself. He just wanted to be the best person he could be and find himself in this great big world.
Peter Frank met so many people along the way that I cannot even imagine all of the lives he has touched. There is a lesson to be learned there somewhere. He made the comment that he needs to decompress from his canoe trip by going on a canoe trip.
Peter Frank will begin the process of getting all of this down into a book he is going to start working on soon. For now, he is resting and enjoying reuniting with family and friends. I hope that he can speak at the 2026 Quiet Adventures Symposium.
*****
The 31st Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the MSU Farm Bureau Pavilion (4301 Farm Lane, Lansing, MI, on the Michigan State University campus) between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm. They had to change from the first weekend in March due to Pavilion scheduling. The Symposium is hosted by the nonprofit Quiet Adventures Society, formerly the Quiet Water Society.
Our Club fall and winter presentations will be starting again at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. On November 18 we will be showing Part 1 of the film “Waterwalker” by Bill Mason. We will show Part 2 on December 16, as it is a 90-minute film. We will show it in two 45-minute segments. If you have never seen this film before you are in for a treat, and if you have seen it then you know what I mean. It really captures the allure of canoe tripping in Canada.
*****
For many folks this is the time of the year to put their kayak or canoe away, but for some of us the paddling season never ends. Fall and winter paddling has its own special attraction, but it shouldn’t be undertaken without taking some precautions.
Wearing appropriate clothing is the first thing and includes leaving the denim jeans and cotton sweatshirts at home. Synthetic materials such as polypro and nylon are much better choices, along with a water resistant or waterproof outer layer. Bring a change of dry clothes in a waterproof bag as it is essential if you do get wet. Remember, nobody plans to get wet, but it does happen. For more information I have a recorded presentation from QAS on YouTube you may find helpful Hanks ColdWaterPaddling QAS2021
*****
The Michigan Waterways Stewards have continued to work on the trails and rivers in the Lansing area and have coordinated many improvements with the City of Lansing and MSU’s Infrastructure Facilities and Planning. Their Facebook page MWS Facebook has many of their activities documented as well as future plans.
*****
Our friend and LOAPC Member Paul Burkhardt was installed as President of Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, on October 18, 2025. Naropa was accredited in 1988, the first Buddhist-inspired academic institution in the U.S. Naropa is renowned for its American Buddhist scholarship and its roots in Beat-era poetry, including Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman. View Paul’s inauguration celebration online.
*****
Here at LOAPC we are continuing to work on plans for paddling trips for 2026, which also includes XC skiing, hiking and biking from time to time. We like to be active in all areas that our members are interested in related to the non-motorized outdoors. We have paddling trips posted on our website Lansing Oar and Paddle Club | Meetup on the Red Cedar and Grand Rivers for November and December, and there will be more as 2026 gets closer. 2026 will be our 40th year as a non-profit Club in the Lansing area and we hope that you can find one of our local trips or weekends to your liking.
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks
*****
Great Read: Gray Owl and Me Gray Owl and Me: Stories from the Trail and Beyond, by Hap Wilson; Illustrated by Hap Wilson and Ingrid Zschogner ISBN 978-1-55488-732-3
Ever feel like you have to escape our modern world, get away from the strip malls, road repairs, and intolerable marketing on TV? Want to get back to nature and solitude? Even when it might mean that your outdoor skills could mean life or death? You do if you like remote paddling expeditions.
Both Grey Owl and Hap Wilson came from dysfunctional white families where they didn’t fit in and both sought out the native woodlands of Canada. They learned the native ways and languages. Both made strong contributions to the environmental movement. Grey Owl is credited with being the first important environmental advocate in Canada.
I’ve been using Hap Wilson’s guidebooks for over ten years. The guy can paddle, illustrate, and write, all very well. I knew a few things about Grey Owl and even paddled in his Lake Bisco, source of the Spanish River. So I bought a signed copy at Quiet Adventures in 2024. Finally opened this prize and can’t put it down.
It’s packaged in small pieces/adventures – just right for your night table or bathroom. Hap was covering the protest of the sealers bludgeoning baby seals in the Magdalen Islands. Protest leaders Paul Watson and actor Martin Sheen nearly got bludgeoned too and Hap jumped out of a hotel window to escape by camping in the woods. In Chapter 7, “GREY OWL – THE MOVIE”, we learn that a hesitant Hap, after prodding by David Attnenborough, teaches Pierce Brosnam to paddle a canoe and walk like Grey Owl. Never knew that Hap had Malibu movie experience!
Gonna watch this movie and maybe LOAPC will schedule it too. Get your own copy of the book on Hap Wilson’s website, or via an all-electric van from the GiantZon warehouse just down the super highway!
There have been a lot of activities this summer. Our Annual Business Meeting is coming up on Tuesday October 21 at 7:00 pm at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing. Watch for an upcoming Meetup posting with the folks that are serving in Club leadership positions for 2026. We will review the past year’s activities and quietly celebrate our 40th year as a non-profit organization in Lansing. Hurray for paddlers!
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I am sharing the following information about the upcoming birthday of Alan Heavner of Heavner Canoes on the Huron River. He has been a motivational force for many years to get folks out on the water and has been at our Quiet Adventures Symposium as well. Hopefully Alan does not get our newsletter, but I thought this was a good way to share it with everyone. If you just want to send him a card, the address is: Bruce “Alan” Heavner, 2775 Garden Road, Milford, MI, 48381 His surprise birthday celebration is at Heavner Canoe Rentals at the same address on Saturday September 13 at 2:00 pm. There will be cake and ice cream. Text Bruce Heavner at (815) 545-4739 to RSVP or ask any questions. Let’s surprise Alan.
I have been paddling down the Grand River from the Trestle Bridge access near Rives Junction in small day trips this year. It is the fifth year I have been doing this, and I have gotten to know the Grand on a different and more personal level. The last section will be on September 9 from Portland to Webber Dam, so I may be done by the time you read this. It is nothing like Peter Frank, but in the moment, I can feel like I am off on expedition somewhere. There are parts of the Grand that lends itself quite well to that feeling.
Photos by Jay Hanks
The Michigan Waterways Stewards have continued to be busy all summer organizing environmental cleanups and improvements throughout the Lansing area on the Red Cedar River and the Lansing River Trail, as well as on the Kalamazoo River near Albion. Check out their website to get involved, and their Facebook page as well: MWS Facebook
The Williamston Rotary led by John Bollman have kept Top Notch Tree Service busy this year clearing the river of trees that have blocked the river. This is a continual process, but huge improvements have been made throughout the length of the navigable portions of the river. The Red Cedar River Celebration is September 7 and may be over by this writing, but it you can continue to get involved throughout the year: Red Cedar River Rotary activities Facebook
So much has happened and so much more is going on. I hope to see you out on the water soon.
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks
Youth Event at Burchfield Park
On Sunday, August 10, LOAPC members ran the kayak station at this annual event organized by the Mason Optitmists club. The day was hot with temperatures in the mid-90s. The kids love to kayak. LOAPC had eight people working throughout the event. We had two people in personal boats on the water helping kids who were paddling. The rest of us were making sure all kayakers were wearing life jackets, getting kids in boats and giving instructions. We had a signup list when there were more kids than boats. We called in kids as needed to give everybody a turn. There were kids who came back a second and third time. The two double kayaks were great for families with young children. Kudos to our volunteers who came out on such a hot day. Seeing the smiles on kids’ faces as they move their boats through the water is rewarding. Come join us next year.
– Kate Lederle
The Journeys of Peter Frank For those of you who have been following Peter Frank of Michigan, he is heading north via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
There is so much to talk about that I don’t feel like I can give it fair treatment. He has been travelling the Great Loop for over a year out of his canoe, a Sawyer Loon, clockwise starting from Escanaba. He went out the St. Lawrence and down the Atlantic coast, around Florida, and then up through the southern states into the Mississippi and now to the Illinois. His goal is to get back to Michigan before the water freezes, but more than that it has been a voyage of self-discovery.
I am encouraged by the simpleness of what he is doing. In his own words:
“Someday I’d like to achieve the feat of becoming my happiest and highest self, although I believe we’ll never be perfect, but can always be better. It’s important for me to spend the valuable and limited time we have on Earth, to share a positive message and spread the love I’m shown through documenting my journeys and characterizing my experiences into writing” – Peter Frank.
I encourage everyone to follow him and when he gets back to Michigan, I will do my best to let everyone know so we may greet him and welcome him home!
The Annual Youth Sports Event is on Sunday August 10 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Burchfield Park, 881 Grovenburg Road, Holt. The Mason Optimist Club sponsors the event. LOAPC volunteers lead the kid’s introduction to kayaking using Ingham County Park equipment in the swimming area. We make sure they are wearing life jackets, provide basic instruction and are on the water to help. Club volunteers may bring their own boats if they want to demonstrate or just paddle around with the kids. This is a popular stop during the sports event as the kids love to kayak. Entrance to the Park is free for volunteers and the Optimist Club often brings lunch to us. Please sign up today on LOAPC’s Meetup Page to volunteer.
The 2025 Grand River Experience has gotten off to a good start with water levels being a little higher than typical for this time of the year. The section downstream from the Trestle Bridge access near Rives Junction did have some trees to portage around, as well as obstacles to duck under around, and through. From Onondaga on down to the McNamara Landing access the river has been open and clear. A new boat launch at Baldwin Park in Onondaga will make activity in this area much more enjoyable. We plan to continue the daytrips down to Grand Ledge, where we will skip down to conclude our sojourn with a fall paddle on the Portland to Webber Dam section. Sign up on our Club Meetup page.
Peter Frank is continuing his journey on the Great Loop that he began in Escanaba, Michigan. As of this writing he is currently passing Fort Walton east of Mobile, Alabama, on June 27, 2025. You can read an article about him on mlive.com published June 18. Daily updates are available at Facebook Peter Frank . We are hoping that he will be available to speak at the 2026 Quiet Adventure Symposium. Cynthia Donovan has reached out to invite him to speak.
Jim Seitz is looking for other paddlers to join him for some canoeing and kayaking in Pennsylvania. He has set the week of September 7th for whatever specific days works out best for those interested in participating in the paddle trip to Northwest PA. Three different watersheds are being considered: Lake Erie Bay, Allegheny River headwaters, and Brokenstraw Creek (depending upon the water level). He has a cabin for lodging. Brian Hoort is attending, but he needs at least two more and up to 6 total max. Contact Jim at seitz.jim@gmail.com, 3705 W. Primilia Lane, Jackson, MI 49201, (517) 795-9215.
The Michigan Waterways Stewards are continuing their work organizing cleanups and improvements on the rivers and trails around Lansing. Recently they have been concentrating their efforts around the Red Cedar River. They have many popup activities you can follow on Facebook Michigan Waterways Stewards, as well as a scheduled fall activity on October 17, 18 and 19.
You can follow the activities related to the Red Cedar River at redcedarriver.org and on Friends of the Red Cedar River Facebook. Recently Top Notch Tree Service has cleared woody debris from Williamston down to Hagadorn Road. Many other private paddlers have been out almost every day working on the river clearing obstacles as they appear and whittling down those that need attention. John Bollman and others are working on acquiring a Water Trail designation for the river, with signage and improved access.
When we had our June Club meeting and swap meet, the Jug & Mug Ski Club | Four Season Singles Club | Lansing MI was also meeting at the same location. They also meet on the third Tuesday of the month, so there isn’t a lot of cross-Club interaction, but they shared some upcoming picnics for your information: July 26 and August 22, and a Lugnuts game July 19. Check out their website if you are interested.
It is exciting that there are so many things to do around the greater Lansing area this summer and even more could be listed if I attempted to make it exhaustive. Go out and have fun and enjoy our sport. Wear a life jacket, PFD, or whatever you want to call it; just wear it while on the water. Your family will thank you.
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks
Gloria Miller’s 100th Birthday Party! Sunday, July 27, 1-4 PM, Gloria Miller Looking Glass Valley Park Join Gloria Miller, the Friends of the Looking Glass River, and Gloria’s many friends to celebrate her turning 100 years old. The event on Sunday, July 27, will be a combination open house, float trip, and river cleanup at Gloria Miller Looking Glass Valley Park, 13440 Wacousta Rd., Grand Ledge MI 48837 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Meet at Looking Glass Valley Park at 1 p.m. The Friends will set a shuttle up to Forest Hill Road, and we’ll float back down for a gathering afterward at the park. You can help clean up, just float, or join everyone after the trip. Trip is 1.75 miles so it will be a quick, leisurely float.
Please RSVP on the Facebook Event page to Friends of the Looking Glass so they can get an idea of how many people will attend: https://www.facebook.com/events/666062032583479/ and bookmark the page for updates.
A Paddler’s Gear
Let’s face it – paddlers are gearheads. You all know many paddlers who have multiple boats, along with life jackets, paddles, dry boxes and dry bags, fishing gear, wet or dry suit, and other gear – enough to outfit 3-4 other people. In the more extreme cases, they have entire buildings dedicated to storing their water toys. And the spring and summer gatherings like QAS and Canoecopia serve to only feed their obsessions. So, I thought I’d make a list of some of the more “out there” gadgets and gear I’ve seen.
The ukulele paddle This is a paddle with strings attached to let the paddler play music in camp or on the beach after a day on the water. The strings are easy to attach and remove, so they are not in the way while the paddle is in use. The bridge tends to collect seaweed, however, so the musical paddler always needs some time to prepare before performing. Note – due to popular demand, the guitar paddle is under development. Stay tuned!
The whitewater tamer This substance comes in a recyclable container and is poured on the water at the top of the more extreme rapids. It magically smooths the most raging currents and dislodges boulders that can otherwise snag a boat trying to slip through. The regular strength tamer usually reduces a rapids from class 5 to class 4. The extra strength version can reduce class 5 rapids to class 3 or even 2. Most rescue crews and outfitters carry a couple of bottles of this but will swear they don’t need it.
A bonus of whitewater tamer is it will continue to flow downstream and make it easier to paddle subsequent rapids as well. A paddler only needs to spend a couple of minutes above the rapids to let the tamer work its way down past them.
Use it carefully, however. On one recent trip, two paddlers each poured a bottle of extra strength tamer at the top of a class 5 rapids. The result was a peaceful float trip through rapids that were formerly known as “Bone Crusher Pass”. Further on, however, the tamer caused the river to go completely dry, and the paddlers had to carry their boats several miles to the take-out point.
Bottom wax For the boat, of course… what were YOU thinking when you read that?
A thorough coat of wax on the bottom of the hull helps your boat slip through the water faster and easier, reducing paddling effort It also helps your boat slide off the rocks that might be just below the surface. And it’s now available in a new spray-on formula that dries quickly and keeps you on the water longer!
Paddle straightener This tool will straighten the bends and kinks in the shaft of your favorite paddle after you got it caught on a rock the size of a Buick on your last trip. Warning – does not work well on Kevlar or carbon fiber paddles.
Bug zapper hat Remember that bug zapper your parents had on their patio? Now you can carry one on the water! This handy gadget uses ultraviolet LEDs to draw bugs into the zapper and then dispatches them with a satisfying “BZZT” sound. Comes with quick disconnect wires to keep the battery from dragging you to the bottom if you tip over.
Helium filled flotation bags Hauling a heavy boat over a long portage is a thing of the past! Using a small tank of helium, you can now fill your flotation bags with lighter than air gas to make it easy to carry your boat over the longest trail between lakes! And bonus – you and your friends can entertain each other with “Donald Duck” voices that night around the campfire. Warning – do not try making the funny voices around the campfire if you have the older hydrogen-filled tanks. These have been phased out and are no longer sold, but some may still be in someone’s gear bags. Smokers should also not use this product.
– Tony Kuhlman, Recreation Co-Chair
Nothing Can Happen Today! Nothing can happen on a 400-acre no-wake lake on a warm afternoon with warm water and barely a breeze. Right? Nope, WRONG! Three rescues and a supported tow. Really? Yep. Details don’t matter but there it is, a heads-up and a reminder to keep your gear and knowledge in shape, up to date, and with you.
So, what went right in all the fun? Well, all four paddlers who launched also landed at the end of the paddle. At least two of us were able to remember how to empty a kayak and coach a swimmer on how to get back in the kayak. Everyone was wearing a life jacket. The kayaks had sealed bulkheads and deck lines. Pumps, a paddle float, and 50 feet of rescue rope were available.
What could have been better? I was out of practice with performing a paddle float re-entry. Later I found that the paddle float has a pinhole leak and needs repair or replacement. If you have a tow belt, then bring it. I looked at mine and left it on the rack. It’s more difficult to get a swimmer back in their boat without swamping yourself if you’re not wearing a full sprayskirt.
Takeaways:
Stuff happens even when you are sure it can’t.
Do you know how to get back in your kayak?
Can you help someone get back into their kayak?
Can you get someone and their kayak to shore if they cannot?
Is your equipment in good shape?
Have fun and be safe and if you can’t be good, be careful.
– Rich Bailey, LOAPC Vice President
On the Banks of the Red Cedar . . .
Michigan State University’s fight song begins by honoring the Red Cedar River that flows through campus. Since its founding 1855, MSU has viewed the river as both an asset and an obstacle. Today, with the formation of the MSU Red Cedar Water Trail Committee in 2024, the university is actively working on using the river as a pathway to stronger relationships with the off-campus community.
I attended a free “Lunch and Learn” event at the MSU Main Library on June 25. Attended by about 50 people from the campus and community, the two presenters provided a fascinating look at the history of the river on campus, and some exciting MSU river projects and community partnerships happening now.
The session kicked off with the announcement of MSU’s support for the Red Cedar Water Trail. The committee, based in Williamston, has just finished its water trail application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Twelve local government and nonprofit organizations wrote letters of support, including LOAPC, MSU, MGROW, Ingham County, and eight others. The group is expecting a decision from MDNR sometime this year.
Eric Tans, my MSU Libraries colleague, made the first presentation. As Environmental Science Librarian, Eric spent a sabbatical last year creating an online exhibit, Close Beside the Winding Cedar. He combed through archived pictures and documents, listened to recordings, and sorted through newspapers to piece together a thorough history of the Red Cedar River from its creation to the body of water the MSU community knows and loves today. The link is rich with historic photos, some of which he showed us at the Lunch and Learn. Did you know that women weren’t allowed to paddle canoes on the MSU campus until 1920, the year after the US granted women the right to vote? With deadpan humor, Eric told us it took another nine years before MSU let them paddle without a male chaperone in the boat—presumably to protect them from the raging waters of the Red Cedar. We’ve come a long way, baby.
MSU Archives and Historical Collections
Matt Bailey, Landscape Services Manager for MSU Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities, gave the second presentation. Matt has emerged as a leader in MSU administration as the university looks for ways to make the river more accessible and environmentally friendly to students and the Greater Lansing community. He spearheaded the first MSU-sponsored river cleanup on campus in 2024 and made sure the public at large was invited to take part, and he was instrumental in opening up the river to fishing on campus last year. Matt is also responsible for the new Mobi-Mat® canoe and kayak launch installation behind Jenison Fieldhouse on campus, and a similar setup for portaging around the weir at the Admin Building. This year his program was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. The funding is aimed at enhancing and sustaining the water quality, riverbanks, and natural health of the Red Cedar River. Matt’s team will use the funds to conduct targeted work along the river to improve the health of the riverbanks through invasive species removal and the installation of rain and pollinator gardens. Matt showed some great photos of what they’ve done so far this year. He also took some challenging questions from the audience, and he gave away a big bag of MSU IPF schwag items to those who correctly answered his Red Cedar trivia questions.
Both photos courtesy of MSU-IPF
There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the community for making the Red Cedar more accessible to recreation and fishing, with some smart, hardworking people behind it. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next. – Loretta Crum
As of this writing, Peter Frank of Michigan is in St. Augustine, FL continuing his trek, The Great Loop Project, that he began on June 27, 2024. For more information check out his website as well as his many other trips, https://www.whereispeterfrank.com, or his Facebook page Peter’s Voyage | Facebook. Whenever he gets back to Michigan, we should go meet him if he is paddling.
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The Friends of the Looking Glass River are organizing their clearings and cleanups with the following schedule with links to their Facebook pages:
The Michigan Waterways Stewards have several activities planned for this spring that you can read more information about on their website. Saturday June 7 starting at Potter Park they will be organizing clean-ups focusing on Kruger’s Landing on the Red Cedar River and Sweeney’s Landing on the Grand River.
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Grand River Experience 2025 will consist of the following sequential day paddles that folks can experience any or all sections of the Middle Grand River. Each individual section will have a posting on our Club Meetup page.
Tuesday, June 3 – Trestle Bridge to Onondaga Saturday, June 21 – Onondaga to Eaton Rapids (Summer Solstice) Tuesday, June 24 – Eaton Rapids to McNamara Tuesday, July 8 – McNamara to Dimondale Tuesday, Aug 5 – Dimondale to Grand River Park Monday, Aug 18 – Grand River Park to Tecumseh Saturday, Aug 30 – Tecumseh to Grand Ledge (Club picnic) Tuesday, September 9 – Portland to Webber Dam
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The Lake Lansing North Boat Launch has had more construction recently and there have been windows when you can launch a boat there. It may not be as paddle-friendly every time as work continues, so launching from the beach area to the south may be an option. We hope that when everything is done, we will be able to use the North Launch safely and effectively.
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Michigan.gov/MiBFF No, it’s not about your Best Friend Forever here in Michigan. Tony Kuhlman submitted the link which could be helpful for finding boat launches in Michigan, but it may not be exhaustive.
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Our May 20 meeting at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing will be our last indoor meeting before the fall/winter. We are working on what our June 17 meeting will be and its outdoor location. As always check your Meetup postings.
Red Cedar River – Spring UpdateOn 21 April I spoke with Connie Cannon about her latest observations during her paddles of the Red Cedar River.
Connie (CC): New boat launch in Williamston is beautiful with all the daffodils But 3 inches of gooey mud covering the steps. could use a few buckets of water to wash silt off once rain is done. [GCS: the river is dropping leaving muddy banks. Maybe take an old paddle and scrape off the stairs.
CC: There are several large log jams. 4 log jams between Williamston & Zimmerman Road. A couple more log jams between Zimmer and Grand River. At the Grand River bridge construction, the river is wide open underneath. I had to portage 2 weeks ago. It will be hit or miss for a while. GCS: Can you access the river there at Roadside Park? CC: No- I don’t think you can put in at Grand River Bridge work site — unless no one is looking 😉 And it would be knee deep mud! Large log jam just downstream of Grand River Bridge is GONE!!!! I saw a bald eagle just above Grand River bridge and chased it down the river for a mile or so.
CC: Handful of log jams between Van Atta and halfway to Dobie. Open from Dobie to MSU Campus. [GCS: Right side span and center of Nakoma Dr bridge is loaded with lumber. Left span open but could close with next high water. Log under water at the entrance to the pond; should be passable for another 6-inch river drop. So, good runs from Ferguson/Wonch Park up to Dobie and back down or down to MSU and back up.]
CC: Open from campus to Kalamazoo bridge. Log jam after Kalamazoo St. Then open all the way to Potters Park. Both channels open at Potter’s Park. I paddled down the channel next to the park and back up the other channel. Both wide open, but tricky maneuver right after foot bridge – open but need to have good boat handling skills.
GCS: A sure sign of spring—the first rubber duckie! GCS: As of 23 April, there is a new jam just below Nakoma Dr. A tree broke off from the golf course bank and the crown reached the cemetery. Easy portage on the river right until a path can be cut through the crown. Rivers change!
LOAPC Huron River Whitewater Practice 18 May 2025 11 AM to 3PM Trip led by Paul Burkhardt and George Stockman This is a trip for intermediate paddlers who have proper equipment and skills to eddy-out, peel-out, low brace, and ferry. We will practice these skills on the trip in the rapids along the way. The group must stay together for safety and instruction, even if running “straight through”. There are three possible take-outs by the Delhi Metro Park in case a paddler does not want to run the Delhi Rapids [see map]. There is an entrance fee for the parks: you may car pool with someone who has a pass. AFTER INPUT FROM PADDLERS, TRIP DETAILS MAY BE ADJUSTED.
The main party will meet and unload at Hudon Mills Metro Park off Territorial Rd to run shuttle to The Delhi Rapids area at 11 AM and return to launch about 11:30 AM (see first map). A second group can launch at a picnic area parking lot in the Dexter-Huron Metro Park about 12:00 noon and wait for the first group to arrive. This launch is marked ‘B’ on the second map. This park is a couple miles south of Territorial Rd off Huron River Parkway. [There is a wonderful bike trail along this river route: those wanting to bike the shuttle can make their own arrangements to do that. Ice cream or meals available in Dexter.]
Make sure we have your phone number and email address. Stockman’s is four-four nine 0342 in the Lansing, MI area code and walker11235@gmail.com. Final trip decisions will be made by noon on Friday, May 16 to account for weather or road conditions, etc.
The 30th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium is now in the history books and after all of the whirlwind of activity on Saturday March 1 it is hard to believe it is complete for another year. I hope all of those who attended are inspired to new adventures as well as continuing their current outdoor activities. Many thanks to Cynthia Donovan for all her leadership, as well as the many others who are outside the spotlight that make such a complex event occur. From my perspective it was a wonderful event, and I was able to meet new friends as well as old ones and talk about all things outside.
The intrepid Peter Frank has passed by Hilton Head, South Carolina and is continuing his Great Loop journey. You can find more details here: https://www.whereispeterfrank.com
Rather than duplicating all the details that you can read in Peter’s own words, I will add my own little story. My sisters regularly vacation in Hilton Head, SC, and were on vacation there at the end of February. I told them about Peter Frank and provided links about his journey. I told them he was passing Hilton Head soon. The next day I received a text from one of my sisters saying they were watching him paddle past their hotel on the beach! Maybe it isn’t 100% identified as him, but it got my sisters interested and talking about this amazing young man from Michigan. He safely arrived at his destination that day in Beaufort, SC. I think that it would be fantastic to have Peter Frank speak at next year’s QAS if he is available!
Join us on Tuesday March 18, at 7:00 pm at Jimmy’s Pub in East Lansing for a showing of the DVD “Paddle to the Sea,” a 1966 short film by Bill Mason. Based on Holling C. Holling’s beloved, Caldecott-awarded children’s picture book, Bill Mason’s stunning short film follows the adventures of a tiny, wood-carved canoe as it forges its own path from Ontario through the Great Lakes and down to the Atlantic Ocean. Buoyed by beautiful photography and a sense of true wonder about the sun, earth, and water, Paddle to the Sea is an unforgettable tribute to the forces of the natural world, as well as a thrilling journey across the waves and rapids of North America. Please arrive early enough to order food and beverages prior the beginning of this film
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The Au Sable River Overnight in February was again postponed to March this year due to ice at the takeout at Parmalee Bridge and ultimately relocated to Kent Lake with the Great Lakes Paddlers on March 16. It seems over the past 40-plus years that I have been doing this that ice at Parmalee Bridge is getting more frequent, but my experience with the ASRO is 100% subjective and not always executed the same from the beginning of my adventures until today. Besides, fluctuations in a person’s lifetime are geological heartbeats in time and there is always a larger view to be considered.
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Area groups have scheduled several activities on the Red Cedar this spring.
Michigan State University’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities department will organize a Red Cedar River clean-up on March 21 from 12 noon to 1:30.at the west end of Sanford Natural Area on the River Trail at Bogue Street on campus
MSU IPF will also conduct an Arbor Day Tree Planting on April 25 at 12 noon along the river between the Kellogg Center Ramp and Jenison Fieldhouse on campus. First 100 attendees get a free tree!
The Michigan Waterways Stewards has several activities planned for this spring that you can read more information about on their website. Sunday March 23 there is a clean-up along the Red Cedar River in East Lansing, and on Saturday June 7 starting at Potter Park they will be organizing clean-ups focusing on Kruger Landing on the Red Cedar River and Sweeney’s Landing on the Grand River.
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On Saturday March 29 we will be having a Memorial Paddle for Rodney Wilbur on the Pere Marquette River. Details are on our Meetup site at: Rodney Wilbur Memorial Paddle .
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Jim Seitz is interested in organizing a paddling trip to Northwestern Pennsylvania. I featured details in the January / February newsletter, and you can reach out to him for more information at: seitz.jim@gmail.com.
A Few of the Recreation Trips Planned for 2025 Here’s a quick rundown of the recreation trips I have planned for 2025. I hope to see you on the water!
On Saturday, May 31, we’ll paddle the Flat River, north of Lowell. This trip will be on a section of river that is new to the Club. We’ll start at White’s covered bridge and paddle to the Fallasburg covered bridge. This trip will be about 5.5 miles.
On Saturday, June 21, we’ll ride our bikes on some local trails in the greater Lansing area. The location will be determined later but expect it to be on paved or at least well compacted trails. An ice cream stop after is a distinct possibility.
The weekend of September 12-14, we’ll take our camping gear and boats to Arbutus Lake near Traverse City. Arbutus Lake is made up of five small lakes connected by channels. They are in the Forest Lakes area southeast of Traverse City. This is another “cottage country” trip – not a technical trip, but a chance to paddle protected water in a fun location. We will be camping at the Arbutus Lake State Forest Campground.
– Tony Kuhlman, Recreation Co-Chair
Carbon Fiber Blues
(With extreme apologizes to Janis Joplin) Oh Lord won’t you buy me a carbon fiber paddle My friends all stroke Zavs and they’re off round the bend I’ve stroked hard all my lifetime with no help from my friends Oh Lord won’t you buy me a carbon fiber paddle
Oh Lord won’t you bring me a Northstar Canoe My Grumman’s too heavy and its noisy to boot I’ll wait at the put-in each day until five Oh Lord won’t you bring me a Northstar canoe
Oh Lord won’t you find me a Portage Sherpa My pack’s far too heavy and I can’t find the trail I’ll pout by the riverside until you send me some help Oh Lord won’t you find me a portage Sherpa
EVERYBODY NOW! Oh Lord won’t you buy me a carbon fiber paddle My friends all stroke Zavs and they’re off round the bend I’ve stroked hard all my lifetime with no help from my friends Oh Lord won’t you buy me a carbon fiber paddle
* Wearing a properly fastened life jacket is mandatory while on the water during all Club activities.
* A liability waiver must be signed and on file annually.
* Bring the boat or equipment needed for the activity.
All trips will have coordination information posted on the Club Meetup page (registration required) prior to the activity with contact info. Note that a few trips require more advance commitment due to ferry or lodging reservations needed. Participants are responsible for having appropriate equipment and ability. Non-members must sign a Club waiver prior to participation.
Mark Your Calendars for the 30th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium
Don’t miss out on the 30th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the MSU Livestock Pavilion. Whether you’re planning to attend or are interested in volunteering, it’s an event you won’t want to miss! This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap,” celebrates the importance of uniting outdoor recreation enthusiasts—from paddlers to bikers, campers to nature lovers—to promote stewardship, conservation, and community unity.
As we mark this special 30th anniversary, we invite you to be part of this year’s symposium! Whether you’re passionate about the outdoors, looking to gain new experiences, try your hand at winning the raffle or simply want to contribute to a cause close to your heart, we have a variety of opportunities!
We are currently seeking volunteers for roles such as:
Gate Admissions
Setup Crew
Cashiers
Volunteering comes with its perks! Enjoy free admission, delicious food, and awesome swag while helping to create a memorable experience for all attendees. If you can’t volunteer but still want to get involved, you can support the event by sharing our marketing posts on social media. Ready to lend a hand? Sign up today at Volunteer Sign-Up.
Not able to volunteer but still want to attend? Be sure to purchase your advance tickets at Quiet Adventures Ticket Sales.
We can’t wait to celebrate 30 years of quiet adventures with you!
Welcome to another paddling year! Saturday March 1 will be the 30th Anniversary of the Quiet Adventures Symposium and we are all looking forward to the presentations and personalities that make this event so great! The Symposium would never be able to take place without the contributions of volunteers like you who make it possible. If you are not already involved, visit QuietAdventures.org to join in!
We will have our 2025 LOAPC Paddling Schedule ready by the time of the Symposium. We are looking forward to getting out on the water, as well as hiking and cycling around the Greater Lansing area.
The annual Au Sable River Overnight will be the weekend before QAS on February 22-23. This is a cold water and cold weather camping trip, and we do accommodate day paddlers with advance planning. This annual event has been going on for a while now, but please do not make it your first paddling trip if you are just getting started. Cold water paddling and camping is an acquired skill, and even veterans occasionally have bad experiences. Adventure always includes a certain level of risk that we all try to manage to some degree.
Jim Seitz is interested in organizing a paddling trip to Northwestern Pennsylvania with the following information: I am interested in offering LOAPC a paddle trip in Northwest PA where I grew up and have a rustic cabin on a big creek near Allegheny National Forest. My 3-room cabin can sleep 4-6 depending on bed arrangements. Tents could be pitched outside. It is a 6.5-hour drive from Lansing area, much of it along Ohio’s scenic Rt. 2 along Lake Erie. We can paddle two major watersheds: Great Lakes and the Mississippi which would include Lake Erie’s famous Presque Isle 13 mile peninsula with its lagoons and bay; the Allegheny River below the Kinzua Dam (largest west of the Mississippi); and Brokenstraw Creek (Michigan would classify this a river, my cabin is on it) depending upon water levels. May, early June, September, and October would be good months to do this. Jim Seitz, 3705 W. Primilia LN, Jackson, MI 49201 seitz.jim@gmail.com
In the spirit of our own late Verlen Kruger, he is currently engaged in his own long-distance trekking and paddling trip here in the United States. There just isn’t enough space here to tell you about all his adventures, so take a look at his ongoing story yourself. I would love to meet him at our Symposium some day! He is active on the water as we speak.
Stay safe,
– Jay Hanks
Join Us as a Volunteer for the 30th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium! Mark your calendars! The 30th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium (QAS) returns on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9 AM to 5:30 PM at the MSU Pavilion in East Lansing. This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap,” emphasizes the importance of building connections across all outdoor activities — whether you paddle, bike, camp, or explore in other ways. By coming together, we can strengthen our ties to the land and water we cherish, promote responsible stewardship, and celebrate the spaces we all share.
We need passionate local volunteers like you to make this community event a success! Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or just love supporting a great cause, there’s a volunteer role for everyone. Contribute a few hours and enjoy free admission to the event! Check out volunteer opportunities on the 2025 QAS Signup site here.
Why Volunteer?
Be part of a meaningful event focused on outdoor unity and conservation.
Connect with like-minded adventurers and nature lovers.
Earn free event admission by volunteering!
Spread the word! Share our social posts and watch for QAS yard signs around town the week before the event. Together, we can “Bridge the Gap” and inspire a stronger, more connected outdoor community! Visit QuietAdventures.org to learn more.
– Chris Ellis, 2025 QAS Volunteer Coordinator
Paddler’s Horoscope Since we’re about to start a new year, I thought it would be useful to have some guidance or information about the upcoming year. What better way than to check the horoscope, right? But since we’re paddlers, we should use something different than the signs of the zodiac. Something we’re all likely to be familiar with.
Otter Otters are the fun-loving paddlers. They seek out fast water, tight eddies, and chutes through rapids as playgrounds. Falling out of the boat isn’t a problem – it’s another opportunity for fun.
Beaver Beavers are industrious paddlers. They build their own boats; they build their paddles, too. They would build a river as well, if they could.
Turtle Turtles are not the fastest of paddlers, but they get the job done. Turtles are often canoe campers. Like a turtle that brings his house with him, the turtle paddler brings most of their gear along. They are ready for every possibility. The weight of all this gear may be why they are so slow. If you’re the kind of person who forgets to bring stuff, turtles are good paddling buddies for you.
Swan Swans are the graceful paddlers. They glide serenely across a pond, unruffled, untroubled. They often paddle classic canoes, usually made of canvas and wood.
Trout Trout paddlers are stealthy. You seldom see them, but they know all the best places, the back waters where nobody else goes. They usually paddle alone, but if a trout invites you to paddle with them, then go. You may work hard on the trip but won’t regret it.
Polar Bear Polar bear paddlers are hard core. Cold weather doesn’t faze them; they look forward to it. This paddler may be the type with more gear than the turtles, at least for winter paddling.
Salmon Salmon paddlers are the long-distance paddlers. They think nothing of setting off on an epic journey of days, weeks, or months. Distance doesn’t matter, and the journey is more important than the destination.
Raccoon Raccoon paddlers are the OCD members of the paddling family. Their gear is in pristine condition. They have the perfect boat for the trip. Their PFDs are immaculate, and when they roll over, they come up dry and with their hair un-mussed.
Loon Loons are, well, crazy. They do rolls for fun. Repeatedly. In cold water. Without dry suits. Polar bear paddlers are in awe of loons, and maybe a little afraid of them.
LOAPC blog 
