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Upcoming Floats: For information about upcoming floats and/or to subscribe to receive email announcements when floats are scheduled please contact Wally Seibel at 316-684-0730 or wallyseibel@aol.com.

General Information About ARC Floats
If you are looking for a great outdoor experience close to home or have never been in a boat and are thinking about taking lessons or buying a boat, this is the deal for you. We invite the public to join us on our floats on the Ark River. The purpose of our floats is to get people on the river whatever their experience and skill level, including children accompanied by a responsible adult.

First time paddlers are welcome. We can provide boats (kayak or canoe) and necessary equipment for participants who do not have a boat, and recommend going on a couple of floats before purchasing their own. Any type of non-motorized water craft that can maintain the leisurely pace of our floats is acceptable. The Coalition sponsors a public float about once a month, except for December.

COST: There is no cost for joining an ARC float. These floats are made possible by voluntary, tax deductible, donations from friends, supporters and participants: $15 suggested when using equipment supplied by ARC. Please make donations by check made out to The Arkansans River Coalition, Inc. Nonmembers who have never belonged to ARC will receive a complementary one year ARC membership for a donation of at least $15.

HOW TO JOIN A FLOAT: If you would like to be added to our float email list please email your request with contact information to wallyseibel@aol.com. You will receive details needed for joining us as floats are scheduled.

SATURDAY FLOATS: A typical Saturday ARC Float is 8 to 10 miles in length. Participants meet at the designated put in at 8:00 or 9:00 am, depending on the season. After unloading boats and gear, all drivers are expected to take part in shuttling as many vehicles as possible to the take out before launch. After paddling for several hours the group lands on a sand bar for a rest stop and lunch break (BYOL). There is always time to explore or to enjoy conversation around a toasty drift wood warming fire in colder weather. Continuing on after lunch, arrival at the take out will be about mid afternoon, Most floats include optional over night camping. After the Saturday trippers have taken out, the overnighters will continue on down river and spend the night camping on a sandbar. Take out for the Sunday morning paddle is usually about noon.

TWILIGHT FLOATS: Twilight floats are conducted on summertime weekday evenings, typically from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, in Wichita on the Big Ark or Little Ark. These floats are shorter and do not include a rest stop. Vehicle shuttle arrangement is same as on Saturday floats.

REQUIRED WAIVER:
Each participant must complete and sign a Waiver of Liability form.
Please download and bring completed form with you. Note that there are different forms for adults and minors.
Adult Only Waiver
Minor Only Waiver

SAFETY RULES: Safety is paramount. Although we will not be paddling “big water’, i.e. rapids and fast flowing water, safety guidelines must be followed.

1. A life jacket, or personal floatation device (PFD), must be worn at all times when on the water.
2. There will be a designated lead boat, or probe, and a sweep. Stay with the group, do not move ahead of the probe and do not fall behind the sweep. This makes it possible for aid to arrive more quickly in case help is needed. This is especially important in cold weather.
3. Consumption of alcoholic beverages immediately before or during a float (including lunch stop) is strictly forbidden.

RECOMMENDED

1. Protect valuables like billfold, cell phone and personal items from getting wet by placing in a dry bag or ZipLoc. Everything in your boat should be tied to the boat to avoid loss in event of capsize.
2. Use hand sanitizer before eating to keep harmful bacteria from the river water out of your digestive system.
3. Don’t forget your lunch.

RECOMMENDED IN WARM WEATHER:
1. Drink lots of water the day before the float and bring more than you think you will ever need.
2 Wear light weight clothing like nylon or polyester. Do not wear garments like jeans and sweatshirts made of cotton, they are heavy when wet. Wear sandals or shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy- no flip flops or bare feet.
3. Wear a wide brimmed hat for protection from the sun.
4. Bring sun screen, lip balm and insect repellent.

REQUIRED IN COLD WEATHER:
Unless you are an experienced paddler equipped with ‘high tech’ gear we will want to verify that the listed requirements are met. Cold weather paddling presents special challenges and dangers. In case of a spill, all soaked, wet clothing must be removed very quickly and be replaced with dry to prevent hypothermia. We will be prepared to quickly make a warming fire where possible and carry towels, sleeping bags and warming blankets.
1. Do not wear garments like jeans and sweatshirts made of cotton, they are heavy and very cold when wet and take forever to dry. Wear garments of man made fabrics or wool. Wool retains it’s insulating properties even when damp or wet.
2 Wear boots that will keep your feet dry in water up to 12 inches depth. You may have to drag your boat off a submerged sandbar.
3. Bring a complete change of clothes secured in a dry bag. If you don’t have a dry bag, a trash compactor bag with the opening twisted, turned back on itself and rubber banded makes an excellent substitute.
4. Layer your clothing, the amount of clothing for a cold morning needs to be adjusted when the sun rises in the sky and you are paddling hard.