UpComing Floats
Arkansas River Coalition Float - Saturday, April 28, 2018
(with option for Sunday, April 29)
(with option for Sunday, April 29)
DESCRIPTION: This float will start at the K-55 highway bridge over the Arkansas River and located east of Belle Plaine (known as Burley Bend access site). We will paddle down the river along scenic tree-lined banks and sandbars, and by the mouth of the Ninnescah River and through the rubble of the old Oxford Dam. Day paddlers will exit the river at the Oxford Cave Park access site. Persons wanting to camp and continue on a river float on the 29th, will pack their camping gear in their kayaks (at Oxford) for the continuation of the river float.
CONTACT: For information, loaner kayak reservation and RSVP, contact Vince at marshallfam@prodigy.net or,
(316) 680-9669.
RSVP: Although a response in not required if you have your own boat, it is appreciated and to your advantage to RSVP if you plan to participate so that you can be contacted if weather or river conditions require a change in plan or venue.
REQUIRED: A signed Waiver and Release of Liability is required of each participating paddler, even if you use your own boat. Get forms from this website; go to Floats >Waiver forms and click on Adult or Minors waiver form. Please download and complete before arriving.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: The float will start near the the K-55 highway bridge over the Arkansas River located about 4.5 miles east of Belle Plaine (known as Burley Bend access site). If driving from the east, the site is located about 4.5 miles west of Udall.
TIMEFRAME AND SHUTTLE: Plan to arrive at the launch site and have your boat unloaded and prepared before 9 a.m. We will run a shuttle of vehicles to the landing site at Oxford and return to Burley Bend for an approximate launch time of 9:45 a.m.
DURATION / LENGTH OF FLOAT: The float trip will cover approximately 10.4 river miles at a leisurely pace. There will be an extended rest stop and lunch break (BYOL) around noon. Expect to arrive at the landing site at the Oxford Cave Park around 3-4 p.m.
PADDLING EXPERIENCE: Basic paddling experience should be sufficient but inexperienced paddlers should be prepared for the 10-plus miles of paddling (with a rest stop and lunch stop). Wading boots are a must as you might have to get out of your boat and pull over shallow sandbars or over shallow, rocky areas.
OPTIONAL 2nd DAY FLOAT & CAMPING: Those wanting to paddle a second day and camp on a sandbar located between Oxford and Rainbow Bend, will load their camping gear in their boats at Oxford, run a shuttle of vehicles to Rainbow Bend, and continue on the river float.
PLEASE NOTE – COOL WEATHER REQUIREMENTS: Cooler weather paddling might occur on this late April river float. In case of a spill, all 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.
Some other tips regarding appropriate clothing:
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 its 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 of rocky area.
3. Bring a complete change of clothes secured in a dry bag. If you do not 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
SFETY RULES: Safety is paramount and these safety guidelines must be observed:
1 A life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD), must be worn at all times when on the water- no exceptions.
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 is strictly not allowed while floating or during rest / lunch stops.
MEDICAL: Participants should be in good health and good physical condition. It takes extra time and expense, to aid a participant needing medical assistance while on the river.
NEED A KAYAK? We have kayaks to lend. If you need a loaner kayak, contact Vince as soon as possible to make your reservation. (316-680-9669 or marshallfam@prodigy.net)
COST: There is no cost for joining our floats which are made possible by voluntary, tax deductible, donations from friends, supporters and participants like you. A $15 donation is suggested when using ARC supplied equipment. Please make donation checks payable to The Arkansas River Coalition, Inc. In case of cash donations, write the amount of your donation on the back of your Waiver of Liability form.
The Arkansas River Coalition is much more than just a paddle club. If you are not a member of ARC, please consider joining to support its mission to protect, restore and improve the entire watershed and enhance the well-being of all life it sustains. Membership forms may be downloaded from this website under <Join.>
CONTACT: For information, loaner kayak reservation and RSVP, contact Vince at marshallfam@prodigy.net or,
(316) 680-9669.
RSVP: Although a response in not required if you have your own boat, it is appreciated and to your advantage to RSVP if you plan to participate so that you can be contacted if weather or river conditions require a change in plan or venue.
REQUIRED: A signed Waiver and Release of Liability is required of each participating paddler, even if you use your own boat. Get forms from this website; go to Floats >Waiver forms and click on Adult or Minors waiver form. Please download and complete before arriving.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: The float will start near the the K-55 highway bridge over the Arkansas River located about 4.5 miles east of Belle Plaine (known as Burley Bend access site). If driving from the east, the site is located about 4.5 miles west of Udall.
TIMEFRAME AND SHUTTLE: Plan to arrive at the launch site and have your boat unloaded and prepared before 9 a.m. We will run a shuttle of vehicles to the landing site at Oxford and return to Burley Bend for an approximate launch time of 9:45 a.m.
DURATION / LENGTH OF FLOAT: The float trip will cover approximately 10.4 river miles at a leisurely pace. There will be an extended rest stop and lunch break (BYOL) around noon. Expect to arrive at the landing site at the Oxford Cave Park around 3-4 p.m.
PADDLING EXPERIENCE: Basic paddling experience should be sufficient but inexperienced paddlers should be prepared for the 10-plus miles of paddling (with a rest stop and lunch stop). Wading boots are a must as you might have to get out of your boat and pull over shallow sandbars or over shallow, rocky areas.
OPTIONAL 2nd DAY FLOAT & CAMPING: Those wanting to paddle a second day and camp on a sandbar located between Oxford and Rainbow Bend, will load their camping gear in their boats at Oxford, run a shuttle of vehicles to Rainbow Bend, and continue on the river float.
PLEASE NOTE – COOL WEATHER REQUIREMENTS: Cooler weather paddling might occur on this late April river float. In case of a spill, all 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.
Some other tips regarding appropriate clothing:
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 its 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 of rocky area.
3. Bring a complete change of clothes secured in a dry bag. If you do not 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
SFETY RULES: Safety is paramount and these safety guidelines must be observed:
1 A life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD), must be worn at all times when on the water- no exceptions.
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 is strictly not allowed while floating or during rest / lunch stops.
MEDICAL: Participants should be in good health and good physical condition. It takes extra time and expense, to aid a participant needing medical assistance while on the river.
NEED A KAYAK? We have kayaks to lend. If you need a loaner kayak, contact Vince as soon as possible to make your reservation. (316-680-9669 or marshallfam@prodigy.net)
COST: There is no cost for joining our floats which are made possible by voluntary, tax deductible, donations from friends, supporters and participants like you. A $15 donation is suggested when using ARC supplied equipment. Please make donation checks payable to The Arkansas River Coalition, Inc. In case of cash donations, write the amount of your donation on the back of your Waiver of Liability form.
The Arkansas River Coalition is much more than just a paddle club. If you are not a member of ARC, please consider joining to support its mission to protect, restore and improve the entire watershed and enhance the well-being of all life it sustains. Membership forms may be downloaded from this website under <Join.>
