Recent News:
ARC board meeting will be on Mon. at 6 p.m. Sept. 13, 2010 at the WATER
Center. Tom Pelikan of Denver, CO is to be elected to the board.
The new officers are:
Russ, Icke, Pres.
(unfilled), V.P.
Curt Demuth, Sec.
Wally Seibel, Treas.
JULY 31 FLOAT TRIP REPORT
Prepared for a hot Kansas scorcher with canteens of water and
sunscreen, 28 people arrived at the Arkansas River Bridge west of Alden
about 8:30 on Saturday, July 12. After unloading boats and gear, vehicles
were shuttled in convoy to the take out at the K96 Highway Bridge south of
Sterling. As a precaution a vehicle was left at the bridge west of
Sterling because the high temperatures forecast. When finally launched,
our flotilla consisted of 22 kayaks and two canoes occupied by paddlers
ranging in age from 8 to 76. With the water level up some, a gentle breeze
and the timber along the banks moderating the temperature, conditions were
just right for the perfect float. After lunch on a gravely sandbar the
group paddled on in more intense rays from the afternoon sun, some
applying more sunscreen and some entering the water for a short swim to
cool off. By the end of the 13 mile trip most were happy, tired, maybe a
bit sunburned and ready to load up to go home.
July 22nd Twilight Float trip report
Submitted by Vince Marshall
37 paddlers appeared to enjoy this early evening float, even with the
thermometer pushing the 100 degree mark.
We gathered at the McLean Blvd. bridge over the Arkansas River (near
21st and Amidon) and had our boats unloaded and the vehicle shuttle
business out of the way by 6:30 p.m. Vince had his garden tractor and
trailer at the launch site to facilitate transporting boats from the
nearby N. Charles Street to the river bank.
Limited by a narrow and somewhat rough river bank launching site, we
still had a timely start with boats eventually strung out for a mile or so
on the river. Paddlers seemed to enjoy viewing the scenery along the
river, visiting with others, taking photos and testing their paddling
skills as we leisurely floated down the river.
The south breeze (sometimes, stronger winds) kept the temperature in a
bearable range for most paddlers. The last 1/4 mile on the straightaway
river course (past Century II and downtown) was more of a paddling
challenge due to the strong south winds, but folks seemed to take that
deterrent in stride.
Just before the sun set we successfully landed the last paddler at
Gander Mountain. The culminating event was sampling a delicious homemade
cookie (or two) provided by Janice Lind after everyone was back on dry
land
ARC hosted kayak rides during the Wichita River Festival
this year. Although storms chased us away for a couple nights, we
still had a wonderful time introducing over 500 festival-goers to the joys
of water-based recreation. Thank you to our very special volunteers
who made the week-long event a wonderful success.
ARC Member Hoyt
Hillman leads efforts to restore Arkansas River watershed in Wichita area
Arkansas River
Coalition 
