HOW event in Lodi blew my mind

Major thanks to Frank, Raydon, Mooch, and Fish Fumbler AKA (Racinrob). NCKA put on a first class event for the Vets yesterday in Lodi. I arrived at 7:30am to find the parking lot was already stacked with boats and Volunteers. I provided 26 kayaks from my shop, and the local paddling community came together to almost triple that amount. I just sat back in amazement while one car after another kept pulling up with kayaks on top. I think our total was 86 in all! That included 8 boards brought out by our local SUP Instructor Tasha Hammer from Explore SUP. The food was top notch, the instruction was amazing, and the voulentters and guides did a stellar job. This was hands down the best paddlesports event I have ever been a part of. Cheers guys! Again major props to Frank for taking the point on this one. Here are a couple articles written about the event.

Local blogger and Voulenteer Kathy Bunton wrote this nice article: http://kayakingcaldelta.blogspot.com/

The Stockton Record was to do a report, their article is here. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120804/A_NEWS/208040325

That is so great.  I think it is a worthy cause and it's even better that our community as well as the local community made this happen.  Thanks everyone!




Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You Guys Rock Sounds like a Blast 

Thank you all that make this event a great success.  NCKA rocks!

Quote of the Day said to my wife (Diana) from a Vet:
"You Guys Are My Anchor"

Nice, wish I would have known about this. I would have went

We were tired but all Smiles

Looks like everything went well...

  ConGrats Everyone!!!

Thanks Dan for getting all those yaks out there and all the extra volunteers....

  wish I could have been there....

A W E S O M E - good work.

Solid performance everyone!!!!!!!

Stellar event once again. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. I had another great experience . HOW and NCKA members are a  awesome group of people to be around. Headwaters Kayak shop,you folks DELIVERED once again. [TOP NOTCH]  To all the people involved in making the breakfast/lunch for all of us,THANK YOU!!!   I'm still very tiered but can't wait for the next event. Take care and I'll see ya next time.

Thanks.
Tim

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.454460777907919.96767.157958320891501&type=1
Photos from Yesterdays event.

All the Volunteers were amazing from the Paddle Club of Lodi, Our own NCKA, VFW, Lions Club of Lodi, American Legion, Fremont Fly fishing, Sasha SUP, United Way, McDonalds, Waste Management, California Waste Systems, Headwaters Kayaks,and the many Attendees both active Duty and Vets. A very memorable Day. 
Everybody put out a special effort on this one. Dan without you this couldn't have happened so NCKA look to Dan and Headwater's for your special Kayak needs. His whole family came together for our benefit and really are amazing people.
Dave, Thanks for the use of your property and letting us camp and fish your private pond. It was a blast.

This event was largest NCKA has hosted.   70+ yaks available.  Thanks paddleboy.  American Legion and VFW fed over 100 participants and volunteers-all for active duty soldiers and for wounded veterans that came from Palo ALto, Livermore, and Vet Centers.
The Lodi kayack community came out in force to show their support for the soldiers.  Your club members started out Thrusday evening camping on the Mokolome River.  We talked strategy, logistics, and even managed a couple of hours of fishing.  There was bass, bass and some more bass.   Rising at 5:45 we headed to the Lodi Lake to start setting up.  I missed KayakJack's breakfast burritos.  Anyway, your NCKA members were the backbone of this event.  Thanks to Tim, Rob, Nick, Steve, Joel, Ben, Dan, (and his family--both Grandpas helped) and special kudos to Frank and his family.   

This is our fourth event this year.  Some of the Palo Alto vets have been with us several times so far this year.   One vet who nailed a bass at Kelsey Lake, was requesting Steve as her guide again.  Another vet with lower spine problems  was fixed up and went out fishing.  He could hardly contain himself.  When he came back in, the excitement showed in his face. He had hooked a carp that was probably 13 lbs and gave him a sleigh ride.  One female vet took a giant step this weekend.  I have watched her progress.  She Frost went tandem with her therapist in back and guide.   Next event she went solo, with therapist accompanying and a guide.  This time, she went out without her therapist and stayed out quite a while.    Their therapist even got on a paddle board.

All the hard work and contacts that Danglin made and  nurtured are still paying off.  Thanks Don.